Happy Kentucky Derby Day!

Today is the first Saturday in May, Kentucky Derby Day.  The Derby is the race that every breeder and trainer dreams of winning, even competing in.  Millions of dollars are spent in pursuit of the fastest horse, in the fastest two minutes in sport.  

I went to law school in Louisville, just a couple of miles from Churchill Downs, the home of the Derby.  Tradition was that exams finished by Noon on Friday, Kentucky Oaks Day, so the students could either flee town before the onslaught of Derby attendees, or head out to Churchill Downs for the party in the infield that always accompanied the Oaks.  The Oaks is a race for the fastest three year old mares.  The Derby is mixed gender, the Oaks for is ladies only.  I always fled town as soon as my exams were done. 

I attended a few Derby parties over the years, at one there was a random draw pool for the winner and the last place finisher in the Derby.  I drew the horse that finished last, and was awarded the prize, a sterling silver horses ass (I still have it someplace.) We went to Derby day at Keenland racecourse in Lexington a couple of times.  I never went to the Derby.  You have to pay through the nose for tickets.  Standing room tickets sometimes go for $200 each.  I knew a retired school teacher who brokered the resale of Derby tickets, it kept him in new Mercedes each year for a few weeks of buying and selling.  

If you have a moment, find it on television this afternoon, enjoy the pomp and circumstance, the funny hats and watch the best of the best run in the race they were born to run.