Denrael

It’s Derby week in Louisville, and this was a first for me. While I wasn’t able to arrange to be there for the actual Derby, I was able to spend yesterday at the track with some good friends (old and new) and associates. This was my first time at the track. Prior to this, the closest I’ve been to a track was the OTB rooms in Vegas. Not the same experience I assure you.

I went, not really knowing what to expect. The weather turned out to be perfect, and I had the time of my life.

Churchill Downs during Derby week is the place to be seen. It’s a week long party, and the ultimate networking site. I got the feeling that if you wanted to find anyone in Louisville, the Downs during Derby week was the place to look. It’s a far more social setting than I expected with the betting almost secondary. You don’t really realize how relaxed the pace is until you are there. Sitting in Vegas, the betting is everything, and you are generally following multiple tracks. When you are there, you realize just how fast a race is. There is usually 30-40 minutes between races, lending to the more social aspects.

That being said, the betting is part of the fun of the track, talking, debating about the horses record, the talent of the jockey, etc. Superstition reigns…bet the grey horses, always do a boxed Exacta with 1 and 5. The beer flowed freely and everyone was having a grand time.

How did I do? I’m proud to say that having bet about $50, I walked out with $13.45 in winnings….and about $1000 in memories; all in all, a good day.

One of the people I was with summed it up best: “There is no bad day at the track.”