And they're off!

We have watched the Kentucky Derby, like most of you, on television for years. Even after Josh and Kari moved to Louisville, we would visit them but watch the day unfold on TV. We always talked about going on Derby day, even looked at ticket prices in the past but THIS was the year that we said we wanted to seriously consider going. Josh was put to the task of looking for tickets within a budget limit we self-imposed and, boy, did he deliver!

But first, we enhanced our Derby experience by attending an event called "Dawn at the Derby". This was an early morning breakfast event at Churchill Downs during Derby week (specifically, Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday) where a ticket holder could access the "Millionaires Concourse" at Churchill Downs for a complete breakfast buffet and an opportunity to watch the Derby horses during their morning workouts. Arriving at 6 a.m., we were allowed entry with our tickets to one of the luxurious club house areas of the track where we had our choice of breakfast breads, waffles, eggs, sausage, fresh

fruit, sausage gravy & biscuits and juice/coffee all eaten within sight and sound of the famous track. We shared the morning with our youngest son, Greg, who was in Louisville for the month while finishing work on his Master's degree (and in the states for a brief moment!). After eating, we went outside to the balcony where we watched the sun rise over the twin spires and enjoyed watching many of the horses slated to run in the Derby take their morning practice runs. We even (through use of binoculars) saw Bob Baffert in the paddock across the track as he watched his horse, Improbable, being taken through his paces. We were home by 9 a.m. in time for that second cup of coffee! Such a great experience.

Some at the Meier home attended the Kentucky Oaks races on the Friday prior to Derby Day while some waited for the Derby itself. And one pair went to both (looking at you, Josh and Kari)! Tickets were purchased online the day prior to the race and, as luck would have it, we were right on the rail (first row) on the fourth turn/final straight-away. Perfect for this first-timer! Derby-appropriate clothes were purchased, hat was borrowed and bourbon secretly stashed, we headed off to Churchill Downs!

The day started off perfect, we found a great parking spot within walking distance and we enjoyed our first Mint Julep inside the gates!

There are races almost every 30 minutes throughout the day with horses and trainers parading past our vantage point regularly. Bets were placed mostly online since the betting windows were slow and we felt we would miss something when standing in line in the interior of Churchill Downs. Thanks to Kari, we had preordered and picked up our gourmet boxed lunches prior to entering so we were able to satiate ourselves with food and -ahem- booze during the afternoon. Finally it was time for the "call to the post" and the horses entered in the famous race were introduced. We listened to the traditional singing of "My Old Kentucky Home" and, finally, it was race time!

Again, with our seats right on the rail, we were able to watch the horses enter the gates which were just off to our left (the race, due to its length, starts just off the fourth turn) and then - THEY'RE OFF!! As we watched the race unfold on the track and on the big screen, the crowd noise swelled and, as they turned the corner for the stretch

toward home, everyone was standing and cheering! We had a $10 bet to win on horse #7 and we cheered on the winner! High fives! But wait ... "unofficial" results were posted and we waited, ticket in hand, for the scoreboard to change. While at the track, we didn't have the luxury of hearing what you may have heard and/or seen on TV - no slo-mo replay of the "bump" or endless discussion on what happened on that final turn. My photo IS of the final turn but no defining movement was seen due to the camera angle (and my decidedly amateurish photography skills). We finally found out that #7 was DQ'd due to questionable race tactics and we, with the rest of the crowd, felt robbed of a true Derby experience (imo). By now, it had been raining for about two hours - not hard and not cold, but we were wet - and we were ready to go home. Everything said, it was a GREAT day - a true bucket list experience that I hope I can experience again!