Well we managed to survive yet another Derby. This was Luke's first Derby, and he managed to get a historic one. Not sure if any of you follow thoroughbred horse racing, but the Kentucky Derby is quite a big event. It's one of three races in the chase for the Triple Crown...a very prominent achievement. We manage to go every year and be part of a very exciting, emotional day. This year was exceptionally emotional though. There was a filly in the race, Eight Belles, and after racing her heart out the poor girl was put down on the track after breaking both her front ankles. It was horrible. We didn't hear about it until we were leaving the track and I was so surprised at the sadness that it brought on. I couldn't help but tear up. I mean one girl against nineteen boys for one of the biggest races of the season, she comes in second, runs one of the best races of her career and they have to put her down? How could you not be sad? It definitely took away from the other historical moment that happened that day. Big Brown, the favorite and also the winner of this year's Derby, started out in the 20th position. No horse has ever started from that position and managed to win the race - EVER. In the 134 years of the KY Derby this was the first. So his historical victory was shadowed upon by the loss of Eight Belles...
All in all it was a wonderful Derby weekend. Thursday we rolled into town and hit the local watering hole the Smyrna Inn. Wow! What a place that is. Rita the bartender showed us nothing but the best in southern hospitality. Lo and Dave met us there about 11:30 when we got there and stayed for an hour or so. We however, managed to stay until 3:30...not the brightest thing to do when you have an all day Oaks party the next afternoon. And that was our Friday, we prepared for the Kentucky Oaks, another very exciting race that is held every year on the weekend of the Derby. Sarah Kate and Jon had an Oaks party with a bunch of their freinds and all of us that were in town for Derby. It has become a tradition amongst our friends to do this annually. So Friday we spent the day celebrating the Oaks, making the most of the weather and just enjoying the day. Some of us (mostly me) over indulged resulting in an early night. But the party was great. Food was in abundance as were the liquid refreshments - as always. So that was Friday...
Saturday was Derby day. Time to rise early, make ourselves pretty and get to the track. This year I think all of us girls did a great job on our outfits. The hat is the biggest part of the outfit for Derby. The crazier, funkier more unique your hat is the more attention you tend to get. All of us leaned toward the classy, pretty and not so noticeable hats. Mine was brown with brown flowers on it. A larger brim b/c apparently the taller you are the bigger the hat you can pull off. At least that is what the store clerk told us when we were shopping for them. Anyway, I bought into it and got a pretty big hat. It was really pretty and once I had the hat I had the beginning of my outfit. I managed to find my dress that same day too. The brown satin one I mentioned in a previous post. And then I managed to get the shoes from hell - the cute brown satin ones I got online for a steal of $24.95 - Nine West. Um yeah, not such a deal afterall. Poor Luke spent the first two races putting new holes in them in order for them to stay on my feet!! Yeah, that's right MY feet! The size 11 skiis that I walk around on every day. They were strappy and cute, but the straps kept coming off and looked ridiculous. Thankfully, Luke took the time to poke new holes in them to force them to fit. After that they fit perfectly. Anyway, we usually get to the track about 10-10:30 in time for the first-second race. This year was no different.
We arrived at Churchill and got to our seats. Oh my goodness were they good! We were one box off of the track...in section 113. Katie's brother's wife's cousin is her connection to get tickets and she got us REALLY good ones. We had 4 tickets in one box and 2 in another. The other 2 were right ON the track. When we arrived to our seats we met our 'box' mates Mark and Ron. Ron was a 78year old man that has always wanted to go to the Derby and had never been. His kids got him that for Christmas...Mark, his son, really showed him a good time. They spent the day there Friday for the Oaks (in the rain) and then came back for Derby. I think Ron preferred the Derby. He liked the young ladies and kept telling us that he was a dirty old man. Laughing the whole time of course. He was great. And you could tell he had a great time. How couldn't you? The weather was perfect, the people were as always, beautiful, and you are experiencing history. That's why it's one of my favorite weekends every year. Well that, and the fact that it's one of very few traditions amongst my long-time friends. I love it. And this year was by far my favorite of them all. After the track we headed to Fourth Street Live. It is in downtown Louisville where they basically shut down the street and it's an open air bar/restaurant area. You can bop around from place to place, cocktail in hand without worrying. The coolest part was they had a live concert going on. The band was AWESOME! They played for 1.5hrs straight. We had an awesome time down there. Katie, Lance, Luke and I were down there the longest. We basically danced and hung out until the band took a break. Then it wsas off to the Smryna for a few drinks...Definitely the perfect close to the day.
So that was Derby 2008. Lots of laughs, lots of fun, a little sadness but overall a very nice time as always. Now it's time to prepare for summer. Memorial Weekend is just ahead. Boating season is just around the corner...I can't wait. I am ready. Ready for more fun, more laughs, more memories...
All in all it was a wonderful Derby weekend. Thursday we rolled into town and hit the local watering hole the Smyrna Inn. Wow! What a place that is. Rita the bartender showed us nothing but the best in southern hospitality. Lo and Dave met us there about 11:30 when we got there and stayed for an hour or so. We however, managed to stay until 3:30...not the brightest thing to do when you have an all day Oaks party the next afternoon. And that was our Friday, we prepared for the Kentucky Oaks, another very exciting race that is held every year on the weekend of the Derby. Sarah Kate and Jon had an Oaks party with a bunch of their freinds and all of us that were in town for Derby. It has become a tradition amongst our friends to do this annually. So Friday we spent the day celebrating the Oaks, making the most of the weather and just enjoying the day. Some of us (mostly me) over indulged resulting in an early night. But the party was great. Food was in abundance as were the liquid refreshments - as always. So that was Friday...
Saturday was Derby day. Time to rise early, make ourselves pretty and get to the track. This year I think all of us girls did a great job on our outfits. The hat is the biggest part of the outfit for Derby. The crazier, funkier more unique your hat is the more attention you tend to get. All of us leaned toward the classy, pretty and not so noticeable hats. Mine was brown with brown flowers on it. A larger brim b/c apparently the taller you are the bigger the hat you can pull off. At least that is what the store clerk told us when we were shopping for them. Anyway, I bought into it and got a pretty big hat. It was really pretty and once I had the hat I had the beginning of my outfit. I managed to find my dress that same day too. The brown satin one I mentioned in a previous post. And then I managed to get the shoes from hell - the cute brown satin ones I got online for a steal of $24.95 - Nine West. Um yeah, not such a deal afterall. Poor Luke spent the first two races putting new holes in them in order for them to stay on my feet!! Yeah, that's right MY feet! The size 11 skiis that I walk around on every day. They were strappy and cute, but the straps kept coming off and looked ridiculous. Thankfully, Luke took the time to poke new holes in them to force them to fit. After that they fit perfectly. Anyway, we usually get to the track about 10-10:30 in time for the first-second race. This year was no different.
We arrived at Churchill and got to our seats. Oh my goodness were they good! We were one box off of the track...in section 113. Katie's brother's wife's cousin is her connection to get tickets and she got us REALLY good ones. We had 4 tickets in one box and 2 in another. The other 2 were right ON the track. When we arrived to our seats we met our 'box' mates Mark and Ron. Ron was a 78year old man that has always wanted to go to the Derby and had never been. His kids got him that for Christmas...Mark, his son, really showed him a good time. They spent the day there Friday for the Oaks (in the rain) and then came back for Derby. I think Ron preferred the Derby. He liked the young ladies and kept telling us that he was a dirty old man. Laughing the whole time of course. He was great. And you could tell he had a great time. How couldn't you? The weather was perfect, the people were as always, beautiful, and you are experiencing history. That's why it's one of my favorite weekends every year. Well that, and the fact that it's one of very few traditions amongst my long-time friends. I love it. And this year was by far my favorite of them all. After the track we headed to Fourth Street Live. It is in downtown Louisville where they basically shut down the street and it's an open air bar/restaurant area. You can bop around from place to place, cocktail in hand without worrying. The coolest part was they had a live concert going on. The band was AWESOME! They played for 1.5hrs straight. We had an awesome time down there. Katie, Lance, Luke and I were down there the longest. We basically danced and hung out until the band took a break. Then it wsas off to the Smryna for a few drinks...Definitely the perfect close to the day.
So that was Derby 2008. Lots of laughs, lots of fun, a little sadness but overall a very nice time as always. Now it's time to prepare for summer. Memorial Weekend is just ahead. Boating season is just around the corner...I can't wait. I am ready. Ready for more fun, more laughs, more memories...
1 comment:
seriously...must see remodel pics. :) The Derby photos were excellent - looks like you all had a great time. That was a sad moment with Eight Belles, wasn't it?
Hope you're having a great summer - it hardly feels like summer here, today it was only 61. I keep being surprised by my flowers blooming, then remembering YES, it's June.
hugs to you and Luke and the canine clan. xo! Patti
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