Your First Derby

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

First Derby I was at live was the Go For Gin Derby. It was a rainy mess. More importantly, I got to get out of school a day early and was there for the Kentucky Oaks on Friday...and it was an excellent Oaks.

I've been there for three downpours. The Smarty Jones year was the worst of them. The Super Saver year wasn't pleasant either.

The Smarty Jones year was actually a pleasant spring day up until a violent storm blew in after 3. What a wild scene with tornado sirens going off and lightning crashing all around. Complete chaos.

Go for Gin was the worst because it rained all freaking day and it was in the 50's. On Super Saver's, it rained all night Friday, and then it somehow held off for the most part up until 7pm Saturday when it started pouring again.

[bare it all]

First I recall on TV - Go For Gin

First in person - Giacomo. Then Mine That Bird and Animal Kingdom. Apparently I only go to the longshot years... Lol

[TheFlyingFilly]

First on TV: 1991, Strike the Gold

First (and so far, only) in person: 2000, Fusaichi Pegasus

I'm of the 1980 'foal crop' and although I was a fan of racing before 1991 (my aunt gave me an old Bert Clark Thayer book entitled The Thoroughbred in the mid-80s, so I was enthralled by this book for years. Correction--I'm still enthralled by it!) I wasn't aware that one could watch the Derby on TV each year until my mom brought it up.

[King Glorious]

Saw the 1986 Derby on replay that night after missing the live broadcast. Winning Colors in 1988 was my first live one and still my favorite.