Put a Kentuckian in prison, at the bottom of the ocean in a sub, on the crest of Mt. Everest, or on the International Space Station and he or she will quickly identify the significance of the first Saturday in May as the Run for the Roses---The Kentucky Derby!
The Derby is billed as the fastest two minutes in sports. Dreams are realized or shattered. Fortunes are won or lost. Names are pushed to the forefront or forever lost in obscurity. Owners and trainers offer not excuses or brag too much if their mount wins or looses.
Large hats adorn all the female race observers. TV talking heads and rail bird touts have it all figured out until the track announcer says "They are off!!" Horse racing in general has steadily lost fans. Indian casinos with off track betting have had an adverse impact on attendance. I have only been inside one track---Phoenix Downs. You get to see the drunks at the track that are not shown on TV. I am told the infield at the Derby has serious drinkers and partially clothed females.
My Dad who knows nothing about horse racing becomes an expert on the First Saturday in May.
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