I spent three years in law school less than 2 miles from Churchill Downs, home to the Kentucky Derby. It was a milestone in the school calendar, exams finished by Noon, on Friday, Kentucky Oaks Day (one of the top races for fillies only.) Known as the fastest two-minutes in sport, the Derby is the highlight of the spring racing season.
The traditional drink is a Mint Julep, made with spearmint. If you are not fond of spearmint (I think it smells like cat urine) try a different spin, two parts bourbon, one part peppermint schnapps shake over ice, strain into a chilled glass.
One morning when we lived in Kentucky I was flying out of town on Sunday morning after the Derby. Queen Elizabeth's chartered 747 was boarding next to us, William Shatner (Captain Kirk) was in the front row of the flight I was on (he owned a farm in the area until his recent divorce.) They had both been in town for the Derby.
Did you go to the derby?
ReplyDeleteNo, never wanted to pay $500 to stand in the crowd.
DeleteThe race for the roses! I wonder if there will be a Triple Crown winner this year?
ReplyDeleteThe Triple Crown is always the question.
DeleteI think we have a small town with the e pronunciation, but otherwise the a pronunciation and a horse race will always be the 'a' sound. I could wear a darby in Derby.
ReplyDeleteI've had a Mint Julep. It was ok but I didn't chase after another.
Yes, of course Shatner was in the front row, in the posh part of the plane.
The joke on Shatner is it was a small regional jet with a single class of service.
DeleteI will say that, while it's no Derby, we happen to live in the Steeplechase Capitol of the world! And our Carolina Cup is later this month, and it brings upwards of 100,000 people, in normal years, to Camden.
ReplyDeleteShould be a fun crowd
DeleteYou have some good "derby" memories.
ReplyDeleteAnd I will watch this afternoon,
DeleteDear me I missed the day ( who won?) and the drink sounds like a waste of good bourbon.
ReplyDelete