Derby Day
Scot's mother is a horsewoman and has been going to the Kentucky Derby for quite a few years now. She usually gets tickets for a box on the first floor of the Clubhouse. Each box contains six seats. She decided to only invite her sister and nephew this year, so Scot invited our friend Jennifer and me. WOOHOO!
We got all dressed up and headed up to Louisville yesterday morning. Parked at the KY Fair and Exposition Center and road a shuttle bus over to Churchill Downs. Got there about noon. Gorgeous May weather--sunny and the temperature was just right. For someone that enjoys people-watching, this was a smorgasbord. There were some interesting hats and outfits to be seen. Some pretty, some sluttish, and some down right atrocious. There were hot men a-plenty. Our seats were along the finish line, just set back a bit under the shade of the higher floors of the Clubhouse aka Millionaires Row. I made conservative $2 bets on several races and won $20.60. No danger of me becoming a gambling addict anytime soon. My pick for Derby was Sinister Minister. He did great up until the end then fell back as Barbaro, Bluegrass Cat and Steppenwolf came up from behind. Gotta love horse names.
I had a great time--won some money (thank you Athene Hippia), people-watched, saw some magnificent animals (oh and horses too *grin*), and enjoyed good company. The people sitting around us were nice and pleasant (apparently in previous years Scot and his mother have sat next to some rude snooty sots).
I never did try one of the famous Mint Juleps. I had no desire after hearing the ingredients and seeing Scot's cousin's face twist when drinking his. NO THANK YOU. I leave you with the recipe for the official Mint Julep drink of the Kentucky Derby and you can decide for yourself:
Early Times Mint Julep
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• Sprigs of fresh mint
• Crushed ice
• Early Times Kentucky Whisky
• Silver Julep Cups
Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
BLECH!