Kentucky Derby Trip--Derby Day!

The Twin Spires on the grandstand of Churchill Downs welcomed us back for the big day. Another record crowd of over 150,000 filled the grounds to capacity. The weather was great!



There were lots of amazing hats and costumes. This man was literally wearing the twin spires on his head!

The Derby was the 11th race of the day. We again enjoyed lunch and the view of the paddock from  the Street Sense Lounge. And we all sampled a Mint Julep! Some had better luck at betting than others, but it makes you feel more a part of a race if you have a little stake in it--even if it is only $2.00.

Our Derby attire fit right in with the rest of the crowd. Some designed their own and others purchased them already decorated. Can you tell who the creative people were?

Josh Groban sang the National Anthem. Miss Kentucky, Katie George, was there--along with lots of other celebrities.



The excitement began to build as the bugler gave the call to the post. The band sang "My Old Kentucky Home" as soon as the first horse stepped onto the track. And then, they were off! 

Twenty of the nation's top three-year-old horses whose owners had paid over $50,000 each to enter them in the race stormed down the track. They were all trying to become a part of horse racing history and win the lion's share of the guaranteed $2,000,000 purse.

Our seats were not at the finish line, but it was right in front of us that American Pharoah took the lead. He is number 18 in the photo. He had been the favorite, and one of the newspaper writers said after the race that, "He did it his way." American Pharoah also gave a first Derby win to his owner.

In past years, the owner had three other horses finish second and one that got injured just before the race. He said, "It was a dream come true--no more seconds."  It was the third victory for the jockey, and the fourth for the trainer.

Today's news is: the owner of American Pharoah has sold his breeding rights for over 20 million. Mr. Zayat is retaining the racing rights. After winning the Preakness, the horse will be trying to be the first Triple Crown winner since 1978 if he can win the Belmont Stakes on June 6th.

For us it was time to collect our winnings and head for the bus. We didn't get lost this time and were happy not to have to fight the crowd for a ride out of there. After a late dinner at Cracker Barrel, I don't think anyone had trouble sleeping that night.