mothernature

Well the Ky. Derby is coming soon. First Sat. of May.

"The most exciting 2 minutes in sports."

Anybody going?

SageTree

My Mom went 2 years ago and had an AWESOME time. I grew up around horses, although not racing ones, and this event was always a big deal. My mom really got into the big sun hats and drinks mostly. She said it was like a huge party that stops for 2 minutes, and then resumes.

Are you going?

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Peace seeker

i havent been to the Derby, but i ve spent a few bux on that track

Good ol Kiiintucky

and before i knew it, i ended trippin balls (from some haze), in the passenger seat of a pick up full of empty cans of beer, speeding on the wrong side of the hwy

atm i thought to myself...this aint happening....
i m gonna be on fucking "COPS" next week...

SageTree

^^ should I stay tuned?

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mothernature

The Derby is incredible.

It is a world famous event. Famous people come every year (your Queen came a few years back). You have never seen the amount of limos all over the place. Money floating everywhere. The parties. The BBQ. The mint juleps. The hats. The short people.

Churchill Downs (of the famed 'twin spires') is where it is. It started back in 18xx something. It was out in the 'country'. My mom said they had to build a trolley line to take people out there. Now the area is over built and heading towards the run down side. That would be my hood. 5 blocks from the track and 5 blocks from the ghetto.

The Kentucky Derby is the first 'jewel' in thoroughbred horse racing's 'Triple Crown'. It is the longest race that the horses, all 3 year olds, will have raced to that point (1 1/4 miles or 2.012 km).

The city has tried to capture the tourist money by extending the event into the "Derby Festival". For about 3 weeks we enjoy things like hot air balloon races, a big parade, bed races, 'the run for the rose' (the wine), live music events, and the huge firework display (biggest in the world) with the air show, where they fly alot of the military aircraft up and down the river (the stealth is cool!). I think the flier said that there were about 70 events this year.

It is totally fun for everybody.

SageTree

So do You go then? Maybe you could post a few pics of the fest.

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Peace seeker

thankfully no

SageTree

Thats good to hear

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mothernature

I'm not going to the race itself. I have been a few times when I was younger. I am too old to enjoy the infield (that's where the hard core partying takes place) and too poor to afford the box seats. Most locals go on Oaks Day (the day before). I'm not going then either (heavy sigh). I live here. I have to work.

Now the picture thing I can try to take on. I really know nothing about digital cameras. My daughter has one I can borrow. I don't know how to get the pictures from camera to computer to Yahooka. I'll figure it out.

I just want everyone to know it is so much fun. And I mean for everyone and all types of everyones.

SageTree

My Mom mentioned the diversity of the crowd too. That is interesting. I certainly don't have a 'horse racing fan' stereotype

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Lloydy

i wonder if this will be on telly here, ive gotten into racing a bit lately, great to watch if youve got a bet on even if it is just a couple of quid.
the national was awesome this year even though my horse died

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Keep the red flag flying high

mothernature

I would imagine they would at least show it on the news. I mean it's only 2 minutes!

That's weird you say your horse died. Last year, my horse died. Started a big controversy about animal cruelty and selective breeding and the like. Yeah, she came in 2nd in the Derby, then broke both her forelegs. They put her down right there on the track. Weird.

The betting makes it more fun. Even when you lose. I'm not a big gambler, so I can go to the track and have a great time for 20-30 bucks. And if you win, well.......... ain't complaining there either.