The Kentucky Derby isn’t until Saturday, but GOP Reps. Geoff Davis and Ron Lewis are getting a head start on the celebration — some 600 miles from Churchill Downs.

The two lawmakers are hosting a joint fundraiser this evening with a Kentucky Derby theme at the Associated General Contractors legislative headquarters on Capitol Hill. Mint juleps and Kentucky Derby Pie — a concoction with chocolate chips and pecans — will be served.

Neither Lewis nor Davis represents Louisville (freshman Democratic Rep. John Yarmuth currently holds that distinction), but they did have competitive re-election battles in 2006 and are being watched by the political pros. Neither has an announced challenger yet.

Tickets for the fundraiser begin at $500.

— Josh Kurtz