From Manhattan Beach to Churchill Downs and Dressed in Pink for the Kentucky Oaks

About one month ago, I decided to punch my ticket on a new adventure, looking to add a metaphorical stamp to my sporting event passport—the Kentucky Derby.

I have been fortunate to attend a great variety of professional, college and important major sporting events over the years, but horse racing was not included.

In fact, it was just April 9th of this year at the Santa Anita Derby where I attended my first horserace. 

A flier on Midnight Interlude (with a Manhattan Beach Jockey—more on that tomorrow) won me a couple bucks and left me with a smidgen of false bravado to think, “Maybe I could get lucky in Kentucky.”

Lucky I was, with the perfect occasion presenting itself, as I was able to combine a visit with my cousin in Louisville with a trip to the races, when a friend who had won tickets in the Derby lottery generously sold them to me when he knew he wouldn't be able to attend.

While the casual observer might think that Friday’s preceding Kentucky Oaks is the stepbrother of the Derby, that thought is anything but true.

The Oaks are deemed “the locals race” due to the fact that more Kentucky residents are able to attend it than the celebrity and tourist filled Derby.

In recent years, the Oaks has stood-out by “going pink” as the race's home, Churchill Downs, partners with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.

For every attendee, Churchill Downs donated $1. On Friday, 11o,122 fans converged on the infield and in the stands, making for a significant contribution.

With my wardrobe lacking pink, cousin Andrea and I scavenged the already picked-over department stores of greater Louisville.

Despite having flashbacks to nearly every Christmas Eve and Halloween procrastination-shopping trip, I was able to don some pink and contribute to the “pinkout.”

Andrea and I went on a three-mile walk to Churchill Downs to enjoy the near-perfect weather and take in the splendor of spring in Louisville, and approach the masses incrementally.

We arrived at the gates from the back entrance, with chants of “U.S.A.” greeting us, foreshadowing a combination of national pride and perhaps some pride of the liquid variety.

It did not take long to immerse ourselves in the throngs of jovial, loudly dressed individuals, many adorned with flowers and ostentatious hats.

While the mint julep cocktail is the preferred beverage of the Derby, the Oaks Lillie and its rosy-color made for the perfect accompaniment to the event –not to mention that it’s delicious!

Despite my complete lack of horseracing knowledge, it did not stop me from making consistent pre-race trips to the wagering booth. I picked the correct winner in the first two races we watched, but I found my way back to the pack shortly thereafter.

It was ladies first; as the clocks read 6 p.m., the anticipation and all excited eyes fixated themselves on the 13 beautiful fillies.

With the Oaks showcasing the best three-year-old fillies from around the country, the crowd roared as Plum Pretty took hold of the lead at the beginning of the stretch. 

A mixture of groans, cheers and shouting escalated as hard-charging St. John’s River came along the inside and nearly overtook Plum Pretty, losing by a neck.

With that, I will be turning my attention to my own neck. Saturday’s Derby may not have rain in the forecast, but a bowtie? Maybe.