2006 Kentucky Derby
Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports
Louisville, Kentucky
May 6, 2006
Attendance: 157,536
There is one event out there where throughout the day not all the attention and focus is put upon the athletes, but on the floral-spring dresses and elegant-big-hats of beautiful Southern belles. Where the mint juleps filled with Makers Mark Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, and fresh mint are flowing, with the hymn of “My Old Kentucky Home” sung by all. The first Saturday of May in Louisville, Kentucky is where the first leg of the Visa Triple Crown begins with the traditional bugle call. It’s the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs, below the infamous twin spires up above. The “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” ticking away during the 132nd Kentucky Derby.
I have never placed a bet on a horse, and to this day that fact stands. I believe a true betting man is a well prepared and read individual, that researches and investigates each race, but I have never found the time and confidence yet to engage in the act. Flights were scheduled, car reservation confirmed, and admission ticket for $340.00 paid to enter the 2006 Kentucky Derby. Before my arrival I knew very little about the 20 horse field and the city of Louisville, home of the “Greatest” Muhammad Ali, and famous baseball bat headquarters, but determined to enjoy the festive weekend.
I arrived on Friday afternoon with a little scare at the airport since Enterprise Rental Car had me on their black list and insisted they wouldn’t rent a vehicle to me because I owed them over $1000.00. When I rent cars I do my best to discover weekend deals or daily rates less than $20.00 per day, During this trip I was offered via email a great weekend deal by Enterprise for less than $60.00 unlimited mileage for three days. If I was dealt with a blow like that, my trip could have been altered since the next cheapest car agency offered me a car for $80+/per day which was way out of my budget. I had a whole weekend planned and a car was a must for its success. After numerous phone calls to an accounting office in Riverside, California, I settled the misunderstanding dispute taking my name off the blacklist, but had to travel to an off-site ghetto office since the airport’s computer system couldn’t clear my name until Monday. Within the hour I was off touring around Louisville getting a feel of the city. I passed by Churchill Downs where the Kentucky Oaks was going on, which is an annual event the day before the Derby. I eventually found my way into the state of Indiana via the Interstate 65 Kennedy Bridge, crossing over the Ohio River. I had no idea that I would be encountering such a famous water way on this trip. I have crossed the Mississippi and rafted down the Colorado, and now crossed the wide and flowing Ohio. The city was definitely buzzing as I walked over to the Louisville riverfront for some grub and beer. There I met John the fireman from Ohio who arrived to Louisville for the 9th year in a row. We headed over to the local Kentucky Derby Festival for some more beer and he eventually offered me a place to stay at his campsite since I was stranded once again at a major sporting due to budget constraints. I planned to sleep in my car for the evening, but 20 miles away I had my own warm bed and a good night sleep.
We were up early on Derby Day as we headed into Louisville for an unbelievable day at the races. I got dressed up for the occasion with suit jacket and tie with Santa Anita corduroy cap to top it off. After dropping off Fireman John near the general admission entrance I headed through the gates of Churchill Downs in true horse racing fashion. For the next two hours I explored the grounds admiring the creative class and grace of the beautiful dresses and hats of proud fans. It was a great site to see as a sun filled day was underway in Louisville as NBC man Bob Costas passed by preparing for his call of 132nd Kentucky Derby race. Many are unaware that the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs consists of 12 races and the anticipated million dollar race is at the end of the day during the 11th race. I was seated about 4 or 5 sections from the finish line and 10 rows from the track. There are four ways I believe one can experience the Kentucky Derby. 1)Purchase $40.00 general admission ticket where you can only catch a viewing of a race on the rail and/or on a big screen in a Spring Break atmosphere partying with bands and out of control drunk fans 2)Do what I did and put up the cash for a great seat and get dressed up with eye level of the races 3)Invest more money for a better view up top looking down on the track 4)Become friends with an owner or trainer and join the elite in Millionaire’s Row.
Near the front entrance the jockeys of the last 3 Triple Crown winners Secretariat (Ron Turcotte 1973), Seattle Slew (Jean Cruguet 1977), and Affirmed (Steve Cauthen 1978) were signing autographs that started at $25.00, but I refuse to pay for autographs and prefer to obtain them free in person when given the opportunity. The sun surely heated up the long wait as it was 30 minutes between each race while the horses were presented to the spectators for viewing in the paddock before heading out on the track. When the 11th race was finally introduced over 157,536 people (2nd largest in the history of America’s greatest race) were present to see the 20 horses break out of the gates with ultimate adrenaline and athleticism fighting for position around the first rail. Around the last rail, Springmint Farm raised #8 horse Barbaro exploded from the pack and didn’t look back.
“DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME, IT’S BARBARO, YES BARBARO IS GOING TO WIN THE 132ND KENTUCKY DERBY BY 7 LENGTHS in 2:01.36.
Immediately after the race I was off to visit the fastest competitor (Secretariat 1:59.40) ever to be seen at Churchill Downs. Secretariat spent the last 12 years of his life at one of the most famous thoroughbred horsing farms in the United States of America, Claiborne Farms, in Paris Kentucky (1.5 hrs NE of Louisville). The state of Kentucky is definitely pure horse country with beautifully groomed wide open ranged green- grassed-pastured horse farms that have buried some of God’s swiftest created gifts. The muscles in thoroughbreds’ legs are completely massive and explosive. When standing next to such a specimen of nature and realizing its potential of strength and speed, one can only imagine its abilities on a race track competing against its huffing and puffing fellow horse competitors galloping along side. Horses are surely athletes that have the attitude and drive to compete with true power and desire to succeed. I am very thankful to have had the chance to come down to Kentucky and visit Claiborne Farms, where numerous Derby and Stakes winners have been bred, and give my respects to Secretariat where he is currently buried . On my way back to Louisville I stopped off at the 1,200 acre Kentucky Horse Park, the world’s only park dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse. There I was able to visit the Man o’ War memorial and his grave site where you can compare his 28 foot stride to your own. Also buried nearby is the great African-American jockey, Isaac Burns Murphy (1861-1896), who still holds the record for the highest percentage of winning rides. It is a place in the world that celebrates the sport of horse racing and the abilities of such graceful animals. I hope to continue being a part of history and return to Kentucky each year for the Derby and experience at Churchill Downs in the 11th race what it takes to be a champion. �- RVB
No comments:
Post a Comment