The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.

The first Saturday in May and it is time for "The Run for the Roses" at Churchill Downs in the 134th Kentucky Derby.  This is always a special time for the Louisville area and the state of Kentucky.  It is a chance to showcase the city and all the people and culture.

Each year the Kentucky Derby Festival begins two to three weeks prior with one of the best shows in the country.  Thunder Over Louisville is an air show during the day capped off by one heck of a fireworks display over the Ohio River just north of downtown.  It's the largest annual fireworks show in North America and is said to bring over $30 million to the area.  Well over 500,000 people go down to both sides of the river each year.  I'll tell you this, you have to see it to believe it.  Both the show and the crowds.  The show started in 1990 and I can honestly say it never gets old (well maybe the crowds).  But the show is always good.

After the dust from Thunder settles the next two weeks are something like one big party.  There are events every day leading up to the race like a mini-marathon, a high school basketball All-Star game, a steamboat race and more.  There are three different Chow Wagons set up around the city.  They are just a lot of vendors selling food and drinks.  There usually are a couple different bands playing at each venue.

Of course Churchill Downs, the most famous racetrack in the world, also opened the Spring Meet this week.  I went to the track on Thursday.  Unfortunately, I can't say I did very well.  I didn't win a single race.  Oh well, it wasn't too bad and it really is fun.  It is exciting to watch the race when you've got a little wager on it.  Of course the infield opens this week too.  We'll have more on it in a little bit.

So after most of the events are over it leads up to Derby Eve and the Kentucky Oaks.  The oaks is also in it's 134th year and was run yesterday and won by Proud Spell.  By the way, I don't know if it is official (but I think it might be), Oaks Day is a holiday in Louisville and the state of Kentucky.  You will be hard pressed to find anybody working.

After the race is over, it's time to start the parties.  Louisville becomes one of the hottest cities in the country for the next two nights.  Celebs from all over come to our fair city to watch the races and dance the nights away.  The most famous party in the city is the Barnstable Brown Gala.  It always attracts some big names.  This year there celebs like Hef and The Girls Next Door, actress Molly Sims,  professional golfer and U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Paul Azinger (it's in Louisville in September as well) and even chef Bobby Flay from Food Network.  Also in attendance was Larry Birkhead.  For those of you who don't know him, he is the father of the late Anna Nicole Smith's baby.  Larry is actually from Louisville and met Anna at this same party while working as a photographer.  Before that he actually sold real estate and worked for the same company that I do.  There were plenty of others there as well and too many to mention them all.

So now after all the build up, we are finally here, Derby Day.  Churchill Downs will be packed starting right around dawn.  Derby Hats and Mint Juleps will be everywhere.  Millionaires' Row will be a who's who of the rich and famous.  That might be where all the money is, but I'll give you one safe bet.  The people in the infield will have just as much, if not more.  ESPN did a great write-up on the experience and like Thunder Over Louisville, you truly have to see it to believe it.

Whether you've seen it before or not, turn on the tube today and witness what many people call The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.  Not only will you get a chance to watch a great sporting event, but you'll get to know a little bit about us.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Day After Derby

Well it was a bittersweet end to the Derby yesterday.  The favorite, Big Brown, won the race from the 20th post position.  That hadn't been done since 1929.

People wondered weather Eight Bells could run with the boys or not.  Well I think she proved she was more than worthy by capturing 2nd place.  Unfortunately though, on the cool down she broke both her front ankles and had to be euthanized while still on the track.  It is never an easy decision, but they didn't have any choice as she could not stand up and the injury was said to be very painful.

A full day of emotions in this Derby.  My condolences go out to everyone associated with Eight Bells.  I know she will be missed.