Derby 136

I and 156,000 other people had a grand and gloriously soggy day at Churchill Downs! I'm already looking forward to Derby 137. Each and every derby is unique. This year one of our guests that came had never been to a derby before and was quite shocked when I told her the KY Derby Race is actually the final event in the annual event.

We started two Saturdays ago as usual, with Thunder Over Louisville. We had over 700,000 people attend in person on the river front to see the most spectacular firework display in the country. It was preceded by an air show that included para-shooters, fighter jets, stunt fliers, all types of military air force planes, and many other flying events that kept the crowds happy until 9PM when it became dark enough to start the fire works. The Air Show started about 3 PM. The following weekend, Balloon Glow took place at Bowman Field. It also waits until it is dark enough for the gorgeous sight of the glowing balloons rising up over the field. I takes place on Friday night and then on Saturday morning there is a balloon race and also a mini-marathon (thirteen miles) and a regular marathon (23 miles)that draws participants from all over the country. The full marathon runners start their run across the river in Indiana. They run across the bridge and then continue on the course on the Louisville side of the Ohio River. I don't remember how many ran in that race but 17,000 ran the Mini. Michael was one of the Mini runners. He had run in that race for lots of years and then stopped about 5 years ago. This year he decieded to run again. He was pleased with his time. It was not quite as good as it was 5 years ago but Hey, he did it and he was not quite as young as he was 5 years ago! (The actual balloon race had to be cancelled because of the weather.)

Mean while the "Rat Race" was run at Spaulding University,( the run for the Cheery-o's),the next day the Run for the Ros'e (wine) a few waiters and waitresses have treys of glasses of wine and run a course on the Bellvedere to see who has spilled the least by the end of the race, The Bed Race is run by competing groups, WAVE 3, Ford and many others, rig beds up with wheels and steering devises and while a young lady attempts to steer and a group of males push from the rear of the bed with long 'handles' they race two at a time on parrallel tracks to see who has the best time. As rediculous as that sounds, I have watched those races on TV and find them to be very funny. Ford plant workers are the most frequent winners.

On Wednesday of the week preceding Derby the Belle of Louisville races one of the Cincinnati boats that come down the Ohio to race. It is great sport, they first have a calliope competition and then amid cheers and jeers set off up the river to Three Mile Island where they make a turn and come back to the 4th St. Dock. Both boats are filled to capacity with passengers. I noticed this year, the Captain of the Cinci Boat was quite large, I mean quite!! Which ever boat can figure out how to cheat best is always the winner. This year it was Cinci so probably next year The Belle will have mapped out a strategy for winning. Trust me they have some big time cheating ploys!

Thursday is the Pegasus Parade. It also is very well attended. Usually some celebrity or other has the honor of being the parade uh,uh, I forget what he/she is called.Could he be the Grand Master? It is sometimes a sport's figure, Movie star, TV star or someone recognizable.

Friday is Oaks Day. Originally the Oak's race was supposed to be the day the locals went to the track but in recent years more and more out of towners have descended upon us and it is as crowded as the Derby. Only Fillies run in the Oaks. I bet on Tidal Pool this year, had her across the board and she came in 3rd. so I made a little money. I actually lost a little money. The weather was beautiful! Sunshine, about 75 degrees, breezy and generrally pleasant. Great crowd.

I should mention here ,that at about 4PM Thursday Linda, Gregg and Nathan started the ball rolling for establishing our 'spot'at the Downs for the upcoming events. Chairs,coolers, libations, tarps, tent type items etc. were stored in an undisclosed place. Then at about 5:30 or 6:00AM on Friday morning they were there to set everything up for the day. I did not take part in that activity but I had a direct line to Linda and could place my bets from home. (placed only the one on the Oaks race) ( Put down $6 got back $5) . Nathan had a few umpire friends join in the fun along with the other family members.

Finally, the big day arrived!! My neice, grand nephew and his significant other came down from Cincinnati on Friday night and stayed with me. Cynthia is a bona fied member of the 'hold the fort down' committee since she and Linda went last year to do the honors, also. So she and Linda left about 5;45 or 6:00AM in the teeming rain, dodging lightning bolts, and cringing at the following thunder to do the duty at the track. What can I say? How dedicated is that? Bravo, L. and C.

Karen, Paul, Sandena, her Paul, Gregg and I went out about 10 O'clock AM Neither rain nor hail and all that stuff could keep us away. The lightning and thunder had stopped. Just rain, more rain and more rain. We did have a break around 11'00 but it all came back. I had on boots but not those cool, decorative rubber books that are all the rage this year. I would buy some but it might not be raining next year and that is the only time I would wear them. Alas!

You may have heard that old saying; "rain before seven clear before eleven"? Guess what? It did clear-up before eleven but then started raining harder about twelve or so. Undaunted, we all got our programs out, mapped out our bets for the day, ate chicken, drank our libation of choice, took copius pictures of horses, put down bets and slogged around in the mud. There is so much to see. The parade of horses and their owners and their entourage walk past our site. The ladies in gorgeous outfits and spike heels (on ocasion are carrying the shoes and walking barefooted.) The horses and their stable mates passing by along with the outriders. The track keepers driving the tractors and dragging the track after each race. The gate sometimes has to be moved into the shoot when the race is a really long one We can walk down about 100 yards and see the horses loaded into the gate. That's fun! When an actual race is being run, it is so breath taking to see the horses coming around the turn and thunder right past us. There is a fence and about 10 feet of grass between us and the horses! I love to hear the horses huffing as they go by. We can see what position our horse is in when they run past. So much excitment and fun. What an experience.

We didn't get to go visit the barns or go into the Lucas barn because it was too rainy and muddy. I did go sit in the Lucas barn for awhile as a respite from the rain and then later took a few pictures of Wayne's pony standing around loking bored.

I had Super Saver (Calvin Borel was the jocky and Todd Pletcher was the trainer) across the board. (He won!)and I had Ice Box across the board and he placed so I will collect place and show on him. Win, place and show on Super Saver! I didn't cash my tickets yet, maybe I should wait and see if Super Saver wins the Preakness and the Belmont. Ciao!