05/06/2018..Churchill Downs..Louisville, Kentucky – Just got back home from a grueling 925 mile drive from Louisville, Kentucky. But I must have had a big smile on my face the whole trip, as i went over in my mind what i had just experienced in last 5 days.
Jockeys enter the Paddock/440post
Through the years I have been to a few high profile events, but I have never been anywhere that gave me the sensation that “this is the place to be” like being in Louisville, Kentucky during “Derby Week”. That feeling engulfed me the minute I walked through the front gate.
I arrived at Churchill Downs on Thursday morning, and headed over to pick up my Media Credentials (Thank you Darren Rogers and Churchill Downs for that privilege). At first glance, Churchill Downs is massive and beautiful. Right next door is the campus of the University of Louisville, where everything looks new and clean, including their huge football stadium. So if you are driving or walking from that direction, it seems as if the track is part of the college campus.. very cool!
Bob Baffert with Always Dreaming/440post
The streets in the area around the track were basicly on lockdown, police were everywhere. But for the most part, the traffic was moving pretty good. Side walks were barricaded with fencing. Once inside Churchill Downs, security and track staff were everywhere. Both were courteous and helpful.I spent most of the first day exploring the facility in between races. It is massive and i didn’t get to some of the sections, either because I did not have access or ran out of time. But I kept circling back to the courtyard and saddling paddock.
It was simply spectacular. Everyone was dressed up and happy, some were in costume and extremely happy!
Race after race, the program had names like Always Dreaming, Justify, Good Magic, Steve Asmussen, Bob Baffert, Monomoy Girl, Mike Smith, Todd Pletcher, Kent Desermeaux and Gary Stevens. The pedigrees and earnings on most of the horses that ran throughout the week were very impressive.
2017 Kentucky Derby winner, Always Dreaming/440post
Either viewing from one of the balconies overlooking the courtyard or down along rail of the paddock, the spectacle and sounds of the crowd gathered for these races created an atmosphere that was crazy fun.. The atmosphere intensified on Friday, and by the time the horses entered the Paddock for the Kentucky Oaks, it was a packed house.…
On “Derby Day” the drizzling rain had most people huddled under the roofs, so I managed to work my way to a level where I could stay dry and have a great view of track. Life was good! I could not see the paddock from where I was, but I’m assuming it was jammed full. The noise level was amped up all day, and as the Derby horses entered the track, the roar picked up a few notches as everyone tried to follow along with “My Old Kentucky Home”. The pageantry and excitement of the Kentucky Derby was not dampened by the rain (heard it was record rainfall for the Derby).
The horses are headed to the gate for start of the Kentucky Derby/440post
The rain continued as the horses trotted down the track to just below me, then turned and made their way to the starting gate. The post parade was exciting and the roar got louder.
When they popped the gates, it got so loud, I couldn’t hear much of the race call, but that didn’t really matter. Justify, a lightly raced son of Scat Daddy seemed to be in command from the start. The 3 year old colt, trained by Bob Baffert, confidently stayed a few steps ahead of the field to take the “Run for the Roses” and remain undefeated. The race was a thing of beauty to watch, and a thrill to be in that spot, at that time and witness greatness.. Thank you Churchill Downs.
I have to give a shout out to my friends down at the Deuce Karaoke bar in Louisville, keep on singing and save me a spot on the porch 🙂 I’ll be back!
A special thank you to Kurtis Coady for permission to use the incredible photos in this Gallery, provided by Coady Photography.
