Derby Advice?

Scav · #1 04-24-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dean smith

I'm going to my first Derby this year. I've got some questions for some of you Churchill Downs veterans:

1) Is my Derby Trail t-shirt acceptable dress, or do I have to go Rain Man-style and bring the heat? On that subject, do I have to buy my wife a hat? If so, how much is a new Derby-worthy hat going to cost me? Keep in mind, we aren't sitting on Millionaire's Row next to Diddy (we're in Section 128 at the top of the stretch).

2) Eating arrangements. Any ideas on how to handle this, at or away from the track?

3) We decided to go rather late -- yesterday, actually -- how far from the track do I have to drive to find a reasonable place to stay this late in the game?

4) Anything at the track that I simply HAVE to see or be a part of?

5) Any other tips or advice?

1) If you are rolling into my hood, you must be properly dressed (125 is my hood)...Joking aside, you should be fine with the DT shirt, wear it loud and proud..Buy your wife a hat, you will probably get lucky because all these other crazy woman will compliment her and then you just have to remind her who bought the hat for her

2) Eat whenever you can

3) Your screwed (Although Residence Inn had places last weekend still for Derby weekend for $500 a night, which is very reasonable from years past)

4) 1 mint julep and then be done with them

5) Get ready to be pissed all day because of the crowds, idiot tellers, idiot friends, idiot people, but then be ready to get an unbelievable rush when the Derby song comes on and then the actual race. ANYONE that follows horse racing needs to experience it

Sightseek · #2 04-24-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

1) If you are rolling into my hood, you must be properly dressed (125 is my hood)...Joking aside, you should be fine with the DT shirt, wear it loud and proud..Buy your wife a hat, you will probably get lucky because all these other crazy woman will compliment her and then you just have to remind her who bought the hat for her

2) Eat whenever you can

3) Your screwed (Although Residence Inn had places last weekend still for Derby weekend for $500 a night, which is very reasonable from years past)

4) 1 mint julep and then be done with them

5) Get ready to be pissed all day because of the crowds, idiot tellers, idiot friends, idiot people, but then be ready to get an unbelievable rush when the Derby song comes on and then the actual race. ANYONE that follows horse racing needs to experience it

LOL, I love #5 because it's so true!

As for hats, depending on your lady's tastes, you can get a basic wide brim hat at places like TJ Maxx or Macy's or go really crazy:
http://www.hatsandveils.net/store/ca...20Derby%20Hats

robfla · #3 04-24-2009, 10:50 PM

tiznowthegreat · #4 04-25-2009, 07:45 AM

Is anybody familiar with the taxi situation that weekend? Is it easy to call one the morning of the race if you do it early enough? And is it impossible to get one after?

Bigsmc · #5 04-25-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiznowthegreat

Is anybody familiar with the taxi situation that weekend? Is it easy to call one the morning of the race if you do it early enough? And is it impossible to get one after?

You're probably okay getting there, but the line to get a cab after the races looks like the line for Space Mountain at Disney.

You're best bet would be to negotiate with your morning cab driver. Get his cell phone number, tell him you will call for a pick-up and meet him at a designated place across the street from the track. Make it worth his while, it'll be worth the extra cash.

#6 04-25-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robfla

The twin spires theme has been beaten like
a dead horse. Notice the fashion police in
the background...

Ahhhh, maybe the old guy is just hammered
and all are having great fun watching him
stumble into the alcohol detox ambulance.

dean smith · #7 04-25-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgardn

The twin spires theme has been beaten like
a dead horse. Notice the fashion police in
the background...
Ahhhh, maybe the old guy is just hammered
and all are having great fun watching him
stumble into the alcohol detox ambulance.

Two inspired moments in the history of prose on one short reply. That was some fine stuff. Pgardn, do you write your own material?

#8 04-25-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dean smith

Two inspired moments in the history of prose on one short reply. That was some fine stuff. Pgardn, do you write your own material?

Yes.

And the consensus seems to be my
attempts to communicate
are quite juvenile,
followed up with heaving spoonful of awful.

Check your taste bud's functional capacity.

Bigsmc · #9 04-25-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

1) If you are rolling into my hood, you must be properly dressed (125 is my hood)...Joking aside, you should be fine with the DT shirt, wear it loud and proud..Buy your wife a hat, you will probably get lucky because all these other crazy woman will compliment her and then you just have to remind her who bought the hat for her

2) Eat whenever you can

3) Your screwed (Although Residence Inn had places last weekend still for Derby weekend for $500 a night, which is very reasonable from years past)

4) 1 mint julep and then be done with them

5) Get ready to be pissed all day because of the crowds, idiot tellers, idiot friends, idiot people, but then be ready to get an unbelievable rush when the Derby song comes on and then the actual race. ANYONE that follows horse racing needs to experience it

Scav · #10 04-25-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Everyone was fairly under control last year but this year I am fearing the worst, everyone has been couped up in the house all winter and this is the first 2009 excursion. Put that with possibly 80 degrees, sun, and the seats we have, and the perfect storm is a coming

ateamstupid · #11 04-25-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

5) Get ready to be pissed all day because of the crowds, idiot tellers, idiot friends, idiot people, but then be ready to get an unbelievable rush when the Derby song comes on and then the actual race. ANYONE that follows horse racing needs to experience it

This is dead on. Seeing them play My Old Kentucky Home during the post parade and everybody (try to) sing along while clanking glasses and bottles with strangers is one of the coolest things I've ever seen live.