It’s the first day of this adventure, I have gotten to sleep “in”, ie until 7:00 a.m. Got all dressed up for my first Derby Day. It feels like when I was a little girl and played dress up --- putting on makeup, a fancy dress, and a beautiful hat.... all I was missing were white gloves.
The dress I had for today was a black and straight and looked like it was out of the 1950’s. My hat was pink and black. Angel’s dress was pink and short, and her hat was pink and black. The “theme” for today was all about the ladies and “Pink Out” -- the derby raises money for breast cancer research.
We had to go collect Silver from his son’s apartment and it was quite a trial to find him, a maze of apartments. And when he got in the car, he had forgotten his “tip sheet” inside -- he went back in to get it. He had some “hot tips” that we got to listen to the rest of the day (funnily enough, if he had just lost the thing he might have made better bets) and he kept "losing" his tickets or as he kept saying -- they didn't give me my ticket, he was a blond before... Didn't know if this was going to be a long day or not.
Little did I know that you could almost feel the Derby energy as you got off the Interstate. The GPS box, aka Helen, kept leading Lucky down a road to a closed off part. Since I am normally the navigator, I found us another way, but it took him a couple of tries before he would rely on my instructions (hum, he will learn I know my way around a map).
After we got on the right road, the hustlers were out. This was something that I was not expecting -- limited parking allowed all the neighbors of the Downs to make a killing on parking.
and if you just happened to still need a hat, some of the
younger hustlers
Lucky and Angel reserved great parking for us -- they are in the “know”. These folks were great. They took our car and we popped in their cute little house (it was all set up for a Derby party - these folks watched the festivities from the comfort from their own home).
the collectibles under lock and key... those are old Derby glasses
Luckily it wasn’t TOO far of a walk (Angel had opted for some high heels). In addition to the “hustlers” they had guys in golf carts out to shuttle people from their cars or parking lots to the Downs. There is always someone out there to make a buck. Very industrious of them, I admire that sort of enterprising spirit.
They had the road somewhat closed off for people to get across but they still had the National Guard out to assist the partygoers across the road -- and some religious nuts were out too.
Churchill Downs was all “dressed up” also -- pink ribbons decorating the balustrades at the entrance. The Derby goers were all out in force with hats and very “different” outfits. Was I in New Orleans for Mardi Gras day?
the outfits are so subtle....
When walking up in the crowd, you can feel the energy of the Derby and it wasn’t even Derby day -- it was “The Oaks” when the fillies run for the stargazer lilies. I was told that mostly local folks showed up today and it would be a more fun relaxed day that Saturday.
Lots of party pic people out taking pictures for people at the entrance in front of a statue of Barbaro. Angel and I got one and then we brought the men in for one too. The photographer said she was hired off Craig’s List and could get in the party for free for two days (an idea to keep in mind). Our tickets were even pretty -- laminated with the official drawing from this year’s Derby print -- which was the one thing I was still looking for to buy.
There were a lot of people but not as big a crowd as they are expecting for the big day. Lucky found a spot near the paddocks and Silver was hitting the betting booths. Angel and I of course spent the time in between the first races looking to see if there was anything else to purchase -- I hit pay dirt and got the signed limited edition print. My only “big” souvenir and as I wasn’t going to be betting much an investment instead.
one of the more interesting outfits of the day
We wandered around the entire place and got a eyeful of sights. What really shocked me is that people stopped us for photos (what an ego boost -- but I know they just wanted one of her in that bright pink dress and hat, my little hat wasn’t that big, but I guess we made a striking pair -- tall her in high heels and pink and short me - I did have on a small heel -- in black -- we were true opposites today).
I loved seeing the variety of hats and the ladies wearing them, very stylish. And the sights just can't be described with words. It was a very visual day:
We made our way to our outside (we had both - how lucky or expensive was that?) seats -- Today is Row B Section 127- which was right in the last turn. The sun was out somewhat but it was a little overcast. It was perfect for seeing the horses round that last turn and head into the final stretch. We got to see the starting gate go out a couple of times (very neat how it folded up before they drug it around). And the tractors are driving advertisements for one of the Derby sponsors -- Vinyard Vines (an apparel company -- what an ingenious idea to dress up the tractors too -- yes, a fairytale with decorated tractors -- only in the South).
We got to see the horses come out to get in the starting gate -- Calvin Borel, a Louisiana boy, sits so gracefully on the horse.
The people in front of us were from Indiana and this was the little girls first ever horse race, how cool is that? But then again how can you go up from here.. I guess the Derby would be it. It would be like going to your first pro football game during the playoffs. They were so excited one of the girls had her hat matching her shoes -- zebra -- I liked it.
In the underside of the seating was a little white nondescript booth -- it was the U.S. Post Office. For an amateur stamp collector like me I was in hog heaven -- the Derby has special envelopes they cancel with a special stamp just for that day -- you can give them your postcards too -- they do the Oaks and the Derby on each of the days.
How neat is that?
The ladies were so nice we took a photo of them -- go out and support your local post office -- email email there is nothing like getting a handwritten letter or card in the mail. I sent some out of family and friends both days.
After watching a couple of races we decided it was time to go inside so we could eat. None of this stand food for us (though Angel had a Lobster Roll earlier that we shared) -- we had “inside” tickets and food awaited us there, though we were inside somewhere else, we could have access to the Museum to see the exhibits and film for just a few minutes later in the day.... for now we were at least out of the weather (it was getting cloudy) and had access to a buffet lunch -- two different salads, pork, a corn dish, asparagus and some of the best red velvet cake and Derby pie to cross your lips (Derby Pie is a chocolate nut pie and it’s great). And yes, I got a Lily Drink (a special Derby drink) in the special Lily Glass (a stemless water glass).
We watched the races and Angel participated in the Hat Contest (and won -- she has won in the past also -- my stylish friend knows how to wow and charm a crowd).
and the winner is :) check out that pink hat!
hat from Paris
Huh??
And if you forgot your hat for today CK Nobles can fix you up --
they were super nice people (and so creative)
When we got in the museum, we checked out the exhibits -- this is a place to see for sure. They have a movie (which was a 360 degree one like at Disneyworld) and it showed the Spirit of the Derby -- the people tailgating (like at football games) and looking rough and then the fancy folks in their finest attire -- and the horses racing too.
They even had horses you could get on and ride like a video game -- except with our dresses we really could not fully participate - I wanted to some back when I wasn’t constrained to ride side saddle (a first time for everything, as I had never tried that either).
In the lobby they were selling a book about Secretariat and the jockey, Ron Turcotte, was there. He was in a wheelchair and they were filming a documentary about him. We got to meet him and Angel took a photo with him. He was a big flirt.
In the lobby they were selling a book about Secretariat and the jockey, Ron Turcotte, was there. He was in a wheelchair and they were filming a documentary about him. We got to meet him and Angel took a photo with him. He was a big flirt.
They had a Bourbon Room (which is my poison of choice when I choose to drink) -- a whole room to educate you on their state drink (no moonshine served here).
And there was an open bar in there too for tastings...
A room just for the ladies
The museum was very well set out.
Winner's Circle
they have one of the fancier, older farms -- Calumet baking powder
(Clabber Girl has the Indianapolis racetrack, I think -- must be something of a mix -- baking powder and racing)
A SPECIAL HAT DISPLAY ROOM
the head
and the behind (I wouldn't have wanted this hat)
one flower was enough for this hat :)
you can get in the starting gate
these are the Lilies
take no prisoners attitude
We had a nice table of folks -- all locals, kind of, at least all Kentuckians. Some were from “E”town, that is Elizabethtown for us out of staters. The men both worked in administration at a chemical factory, something about polyurethene I think, I really didn’t understand when the men all started talking about science. Their wives had very nice hats that were from a local florist there.
our local florist couldn't do a hat like that
Our other table mates had fascinators on instead of full on hats like us. They were sisters and one was a professional bridge player, who had even gone to a bridge tournament recently in New Orleans. I loved her purse. They bet most of the races.
Lucky was very "lucky" with his betting -- he bet on Successful Dan to win and the bloody horse came in first and set a track record... Lucky was thrilled.
It started raining badly outside and there was even a tornado warning so they called a rain delay and we all stayed inside.
I bet on race number five, I liked the horse number 5 -- Zapparation and it’s a good thing I didn’t bet much, the jockey fell off and she came in last.
I did bet on the “Oaks” Race -- On Fire Baby --but my horse didn’t come in. Believe You Can, trained by Larry Jones did (he rode her himself in the workouts -- and he is not “jockeysize”). When they go to the winner's circle they get a huge fall of Stargazer (they are the pink ones) Lilies.
We went outside for the Oaks Race and it was still a little drizzly out. But we enjoyed it no matter what.
After the race we followed the crowd over to our car and they were super quick about getting it for us and we scooted out quickly....
tailgating was winding down
nice area of town we drove through
There were two places at Churchill Downs so far that I have missed seeing -- the backside and the “infield”. The infield is more similar to a festival atmosphere -- the young and rowdy and maybe the old, who can’t grow up. I kind of like the 4 star treatment, call me high maintenance if you wish, but it’s fun to play dress up for a day.
The backside is a whole other story and one I hope to explore one day.......
my favorite shot of the day
our parting shot .... our night was just beginning....
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