Derby May 1, 2010

The Historic Twin Towers

We do not gamble, but we do celebrate. Most any excuse will do. It goes back many years, to the time I lived in the shadow of the twin spires. Every spring, Derby “horse” fever would hit the neighborhood. Way back when (1940's) it was “safe” to let your children walk the neighborhood, we neighborhood children would walk over and watch the horses. We could wander all over the backside of the track. Before air conditioning and when houses were open to the breezes of Spring we could hear the race announcer calling the races. Derby Day we parked cars in our front yard - $1 a car. Notice how things have changed and yet they've stayed the same. Sign at the street of someones yard says DERBY PARKING $50 Below the sign : Rich and Patti state, "We did not park there!" Sorry, it was in focus on facebook. Yes, I borrowed some of these pictures from Clara's friends Rich and Patti, who came to Louisville to experience the Derby.

Rich and Patti Traditionally Speaking... Over its 136-year history, the Kentucky Derby has amassed dozens of traditions. From the Twin Spires that overlook the track's famous homestretch to the singing of the “song” to the collectible Derby glasses traditions all are an important part of the Derby experience. Our Kentucky Derby Family has brought together over the years several traditions we hold dear. We always get together – from the time the children were little to now - today. Sometimes, we have an all day party, a family picnic and sometimes we just gather to watch THE race. Sometimes, we have our own Derby Hat parade and judging. Sometimes, when we have the an all day gathering we watch the entire program of televised races and bet with play money. Each one begins the day with $200. One rule is you must bet at least $10 each race. You can not just hold your $200 till the end of the day. The one with the most play money after the Derby runs is the daily winner and wins a Derby glass. Always, we sing the song, My Old Kentucky Home with the TV audience. Always, we cut the names of the horses out of the paper and put them in a hat. A few minutes before the race starts we draw a name out of the hat – beginning with the youngest to the oldest. When the race is running we root for our horse. The one who holds the winning horse also gets a Derby glass.

Locally, Violet won the glass this year AND in the family out of town John won the glass.

2010 Derby Glass

Derby Day 2010

It rained all night on Churchill Downs. It rained all day. The track looked messier than I have ever seen it look in over 60 years of Derby watching. Everyone awaited the slog for the roses. Just as we sang the words “the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home” it was as if someone said “cue the sun” - eight minutes before post time the sun came out.

All the horses were the same color - muddy! Super Saver is in front on the rail at the stretch. The crowd of 155,804 braved heavy early morning rain and sporadic showers thoughtout the day to see Calvin Borel capture his third Kentucky Derby in 4 years on Super Saver.