Friday, March 28, 2008

Derby Countdown



In just five weeks time, for the first time since my virgin appearance in 2005, I'll be heading to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. Amazingly, but certainly not without a hefty price tag, my friends and I have secured box seats (row 117, finish line) for the Kentucky Oaks (a grade 1 stakes race for 3-year-old thoroughbred fillies held the Friday before the Kentucky Derby.) I'll be heading to Louisville this time with a slightly bigger entourage, but still the same great friends from my days in Ann Arbor as a graduate student at UM.

On Saturday, we'll join the masses for the more economical infield seats, which are sure to offer plenty viewing opportunities for alcohol-induced craziness. And yes, of course, horse racing. Particularly, the Kentucky Derby, which is known as "the most exciting two minutes in sports." It's a Grade 1 stakes race for 3-year-old throughbred horses.

And that, my friends, brings me to the most important part of the Derby. Hat selection. Above, you will see my hat selection for the Kentucky Oaks. The somewhat less important derby hat is yet to be selected.

In addition to hat selection, I am also brushing up on my betting terminology. There's the trifecta, exacta, quinella, and more costly/complicated superfecta, etc. So many types and forms to keep straight! Hat selection is so much more my thing. Ahh...I can't wait for derby day. Let the festivities and racing begin!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am really excited because they were giving away Kentucky Derby glasses at the Shamrock Shuffle 8K in Chicago. They are actually cool. I got a few for you.

Anonymous said...

You don't really see any horse racing if you're in the infield. You end up watching it on the big screen TVs, just like if you were in your living room (well, the drunken debauchery and mint juleps make it not exactly like your living room).
Boxing a $2 trifecta for $12. Relatively cheap, but if you hit it, it's usually a good payout.
Have fun!