Kentucky Derby fans??

[SunFloridaDisney]

Living in KY, of course we always watch the race, no matter where we are, (have watched in different places on vacation several years) and I just wondered if there are any other fans here on the DIS boards, or anyone who will be watching from the World (maybe at ESPN??)

 

[mtblujeans]

I love watching all horse races! My DH & I talk about placing a bet every year....but we never check into it. We have horse racing at our summer Country Fair every year and we really get into that! It has been one of the first things we ever did without the kids.....they roam around the Fair Grounds with their friends and we sit and bet on the races.

 

[sjh801]

The first Saturday in May is Derby Day for me. I never miss watching The Kentucky Derby. I'm from Pennsylvania but have always had an affection for Kentucky since we traveled through it as a child on vacation. I've never been to the Derby, but, I actually got tears in my eyes the first time I flew into Louisville over Churchill Downs.

 

[Dana49]

We love horse racing and frequent Saratoga several times each summer. The Kentucky Derby is always one of the toughest races to handicap. After watching the Wood Memorial, it would be very hard to bet against Bellamy Road. What an impressive win for a great horse, but in the Derby, you never know.

 

[Rozzie]

count me in, I have only been to the Derby once, but the memories are fantastic. Ivana Trump walked right in front of me! but my favorite is the horses. my first mare was related to a derby winner..

can't wait!

 

[Hillbeans]

Another horse racing fan here.....I grew up around it, my Father wrote a Horse Racing column Part Time in a newspaper in Northern NJ for about 25 years, so a lot of my teens were spent at the Track with my dad and brother.

Unfortunately my brother has a gambling problem now, so my interest in it has weaned some over the last few years, but I love all of the ceremony around the Kentucky Derby. Maybe one day i'll be lucky enough to go and see it live.

 

[Soccer Princess]

Living in Louisville my whole life, I am obligated to be a DERBY fan! The past two weeks this city has been consumed by the Kentucky Derby Festival. From the kickoff of Thunder over Louisville until the winner is given the garland of roses this evening, there have been all kinds of fun and unique Derby events all around town. This is the one week a year when people from all over flock to Louisville by the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS. The entire city shuts down today.Yesterday, for Oaks, the kids were out of school and many businesses (including UofL) gave employees a half-day or the day off. Tonight will be CRAZY though. As soon as the actual Derby race is over, The 'Ville will be hoppin' all night! This is definately my favorite time of year.

 

[slimplaw]

I watch every year and have done so for many years. I always enjoyed watching races on the TV with my grandfather. DH works part time at Lone Star Park and we live 5 minutes from there. He'll be working a long day there today. I hope to visit Kentucky sometime in the future.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Well, I don't usually watch horse races but today I will. You see, one of the horses in the running is named afleet Alex and my youngest DS's name is Alex Fleet! I just had to place a bet!

TC

 

[GIOny]

I'm with you Tuffcookie, Afleet Alex all the way!!!!

 

[Soccer Princess]

I also picked Afleet Alex after my Yorkie Alex

 

[cvemom]

I'm ready! I love "Derby Day". I went to Kemtucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY and I miss Kentucky. I've always been a Kentucky Derby fan but now My Old Knetucky Home makes me cry.

 

[flamom]

love the kentucky derby! watch it every year.and like ever year hope for a triple crown winner.

 

[Poohlovr]

Hmmm.....
Live in Louisville---maybe 15-20 minutes from the track (depending on traffic) and just don't pay that much attention to it.
I did go the the Derby once, maybe just to say I'd been there.
Really, the Derby itself, is more of an event for out-of-towners anymore. Locals have four ways to get into the Derby--the infield (Which is great for a party, but not so good for watching horses), be one of the families that got box seats generations ago (they stay in the family through generations, as long as that family buys the seats every year--yep, the rights to the boxes are left in wills) or have lotsa $$$$$$--lotsa $$$$$$, or buy scalped tickets for more lotsa $$$$$.
The Oaks on Friday used to be the day for locals to go the track, but, now that's pretty much gone the same way as the Derby.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Well, now that its over, Dana 49 you said it - you just never know!!

What a surprise ending!

 

[wvjules]

What a come from behind. Great race. Sure wish I had bet on him. lol

 

[sjh801]

What a race! Wonder if anyone had the Superfecta that paid over $1.7 million dollars!!!

 

[mtblujeans]

What an exciting finish! I would not have bet on that horse to win, tho'!

 

[Deb in IA]

Me too!!! Coming to this thread late, but I was born in Louisville, and grew up in Clarksville, IN, just across the river!!

I have always loved horses, and yes, the strains of "My Old Kentucky Home" can bring tears to my eyes too, even with the cleaned up, politically correct words now . . .


But I have to say that those new luxury Skyboxes are UGLY!!!!! I know they had to do it to keep Churchill Downs operating . . . many, many racetracks are losing money like crazy . . . but they really dwarf those wonderful, magnificent, world-famous twin spires. Yuck.


And GO Giacomo!! What a race!!! I was personally happy that it was an upset . . . Nick Zito obviously trying to stack the field with 5 horses, 1/4 of the field!! And writers comparing Bellamy Road to Secretariat . . . that borders on blasphemy to those of us who can remember Secretariat's incredible, once in a lifetime performance that STILL endures as track records for the Derby and the Belmont, and would have been a record at the Preakness also, has it not been for a timing error.

Anyway, on to the Preakness for Giacomo!!!

 

[leighe]

Love, love, love the Derby - and especially Derby hats! I've been every year since I was about 4. My grandparents have a box that they inherited from my great-great grandparents ( I think) - it will be willed to my dad or uncle I guess.

This years Derby was so exciting and the weather was just gorgeous! "My Old Kentucky Home" brings tears to my eyes too!