It's blogger junket time again, and I am in need of a little advance advice from the YBNBY readers.
This weekend, our good friends at Axe Shower gel will be treating me to an all-expenses paid trip to cover The Kentucky Derby. I can't begin to tell you how psyched I am, as it'll actually be my first time at this kind of event since I arrived in the US. (I used to go to to Windsor racing fairly regularly in the UK but that was probably 20 years ago)
In anticipation, I'm asking some advice from anyone in the know about how I should make the best of the experience. And I'm hoping for some serious advice, not just "drink a Mint Julep". I've downloaded the Kentucky Derby iPhone app, and perused Wikipedia, but still find myself somewhat confused, because all these sources don't quite take into account just how ignorant I actually am. But you guys already know that, so this will all come as no great surprise.
Understand that I don't need advice on places to eat, drink or stay, that's fully covered by our hosts (including an excursion to The Prime Lounge. Also, (and I'm told this makes a difference) we'll be watching from the Grandstand.
So advice needed in the following areas:
1) I'm guessing you don't call them "nags" in the US
I don't follow the form - so I need some tips on which horse we think will win/place this year, plus maybe an idiots guide to talking about racing like I might even know what I'm on about. I'll be with a few other bloggers from other "men's" sites, and I have visions of a bunch of Esquire correspondents taking the piss out of me not knowing a mare from a pony.
2) So, I can bet, right?
I also have to express some ignorance on the state of on-track betting in the US. Betting on horses in the UK is a national pastime, with bookies on every high street. My experience of betting on English races trackside is guys in pork-pie hats and camel hair coats, gesticulating Tic Tac madly, scribbling on chalk boards, and shouting odds as crowds of people stand round thrusting money into the air. You pays the man, you takes your ticket. I suspect you Yankies do it a little differently? And what's a sensible wager (aside from "no more than you can afford to lose")
3) I have to wear a hat?
The photos I've seen of the Kentucky Derby consist of two sets of images - drunken frat boys in the infield, and lords and ladies on Millionaires Row. Which leaves me a little undecided as to what I should wear - blazer? hat? slacks? Serious sartorial advice is required
4) What's that black speck in the distance?
Anyone have any idea what kind of lens I should be taking with me? It's probably a bit late to dig out a telephoto. The best I can probably muster up is a digital SLR with an 85mm zoom. Is it even worth taking with me?
5) The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports - then what?
In the UK, a big racing event usually comprised of multiple races throughout the day, culminating in The Derby or whatever. Same in Louisville? Should I plan on a whole series of races for the day? No real idea what to expect.
As you can tell, the downside is that this amazing event is probably a little wasted on someone who has no real idea what it's all about. But on the other hand, you can expect my report to be one of wide-eyed amazement at the spectacle without any preconceptions.
Tomorrow, i'll be writing a bit more about Axe themselves (You know, it's probably the least I can do) - in the meantime, check out The Fixers for yourself. And let's just hope the whole Derby trip is not a prank.
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When the race is over and you win, make sure to give EVERYONE a high-five. It doesn't get more American than that.
The only thing I know is that you've got to order at least once Mint Julep since that is the traditional drink
there will be a full day of racing, just like in the UK....... there is at least one race after the derby, maybe more.
you will see every kind of dress (or lack there of), but for the grandstand i would go with slacks and a blazer....... a hat is up to you........ just be sure to check the temperature...... this time of year in KY the weather is quick to change.
from the grandstand you won't get much (any) race action with an 85mm unless you happen to be all the way down at track level....... i would just carry a short zoom and get all the interesting folks around...... you can also go to the paddock area to get a closer look at the horses.
honestly, the mint juleps you get on site are pretty terrible..... if you've never had one don't judge them all by those....... unless, of course, you can afford one of those $1000 ones, then by all means partake!
check out the official derby site:
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2009/
have a great time!
Guide: Here is a horse racing glossary for your review: http://www.ildado.com/horse_racing_glossary.html
Gambling: Regal Ransom, Desert Party, I Want Revenge
Garb: Dress like a jockey
Can't help you with questions 4 & 5
Boss, I'm not jealous at all. I'm fine. Give me a sec, okay, I'm fine.
I would make sure to read "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved" by Dr. Thompson.
http://thebivouac.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/the-kentucky-derby-is-decadent-and-depraved/
The races (9 or 10) start in the early afternoon with the featured Derby race usually the 7th. If your trip is comped as you indicate you'll most likely have seats and a hospitality tent or room with drinks and food.
To bet you look at the odds boards (everywhere), make your choice, then go to a window and tell the person what you want. You can bet every race in one trip or go back to the window before each race.
I'd take a camera, but wouldn't worry too much about shots of the races unless you can move around
If you have seats in the grandstand you'll be protected from the sun.
Have fun..it's a wonderful experience
Born and raised here in Kentucky and I've never been to the Derby. I know that what you wear depends on where your tickets put you. The infield is a free-for-all; the press box is rather formal. Men are not required to wear hats, but considering how much protection you have from the sun on your head, you should consider it. If you are not sure, dress really British and impress them with your accent and any faux pas will be forgiven.
So, maybe an Ascot?
Miss Cellania,
Whereabouts in Kentucky do you live? I have a cousin in Winchester..
I'm down southeast near Tennessee and Virginia. Real hillbilly country. Winchester is maybe 90 minutes away.
Mouche,
You are in for a treat. You will see some of the most bizarre hats, costumes, outfits, etc... you have ever seen. The race itself is secondary. Go for the people watching. You may even be able to nonchalantly snap a pic or two.
Most everyone in the grandstand area will be dressed nicely. Honestly, it's like an Easter Parade of Heathens. (There may be a few Christians hanging around, but they had their fashion show a few weeks back. Nothing new to see there.) An ascot would be cool, but you won't be the only wearing one. In other words, wear whatever you're comfortable in ... something that you would wear to a company dinner party. Think Sean Connery, not Fred Astaire.
As has already been pointed out, there are two very different social circles at the Derby. As the day wears on, you will thank God you are with the civilized people. Although it's too bad you won't have the opportunity to enjoy some of the tailgate fare early in the day. The best chefs at the derby are in the infield.
No matter. You'll have catered food since you will be in the grandstand at a private event. It's also pretty likely that someone notable will mozy past from time to time. Tons of A-list stars will be there, as well as a lot of professional athletes. I'd waste all my film on bizzare outfits and pics of notables.
As far as betting is concerned, I wouldn't sweat it if you don't want to bet. Most people aren't there for the betting. Still, if you want to lay down a bet, I would keep it to one or two races else you will spend much of your time studying the sheets and odds instead of taking in the event. If you're looking for your best chance at walking away with some money, place a bet to Show on one of the favorites like 'I Want Revenge' or 'Dunkirk'. 'Pioneer of the Nile' is also a pretty solid bet. If you're looking for longer odds, place a bet to Show on 'Musket Man'. He was impressive at the Illinois Derby, coming from way back. If the pace is fast enough early and he doesn't get boxed in late, he may pull the upset.
The betting process is simple, but don't wait too long before placing your bet. You'll want to get to the window well before the race. For bets that I want to be sure to get in, I go to the window when the race prior comes out of the post. I'll assume that you know the basics such as minimum bet $2, Win, Place and Show, etc ... If you bet to WIN, you collect if your horse finishes first. If you bet to PLACE, you collect if your horse finishes First or Second. If you bet to SHOW, you collect if your horse finishes first, second or third. You will usually collect more a on successful WIN bet than on a successful SHOW bet. Make sure that you know your horse's number/pole position before going to the window; bets are placed using numbers. Your exchange will go something like:
"The following bets are all for race #5.
$4 on #6 to SHOW.
$10 on #8 to WIN."
Don't leave the window without checking your tickets to be sure they got it right. You should get one ticket per bet. Once you leave the window, you own those bets. Also, don't toss any tickets until the race is made official. You would be surprised how many race results change before becoming official. Horses/Riders get disqualified all the time. If you want to be sure, you can always go to a window after the race and have the clerk run them to be sure. If you have a lot of tickets, you will want to be sure that the window is not busy, else you might be holding up someone trying to get a last-minute bet in. Betting etiquette, that's all. Some places have machines that will check the tickets for you, so you don't have to wait in line. I don't remember if they have those at Churchill Downs.
I'm not going to even bother attempting to get into other betting, such as Trifecta, Daily Doubles, etc... They are great to bet, and add a hell of a lot of excitement to the day, but this is the Derby, not a drunken Saturday afternoon, skirt-chasing, mansession .
Me? I'm throwing down $20 on Pioneer of the Nile to SHOW and $10 on Musket Man to SHOW. Not big bets ... just something to be part of the action.
Damn, I'm jealous. Enjoy your day, man. My whole family will be watching here. Hell, the whole state will be watching ... as well as a good portion of the country.
Say hello to George Clooney and Johnny Depp for me. Oh, and give Ashley Judd one of those big 'ole, smarmy, British magician's smiles of yours. She's very Euro-friendly.
Tim, thankyou, that was exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for, very very helpful.
Not that you asked, Cindy, but I know this is important to you ...
Winchester is just on the other side of Lexington from me; about 20 minutes away. In fact, your cousin and I have exchanged birds once or twice in traffic.
Please let them know that there is nothing more dangerous than getting into a finger-flicking contest with a pissed-off, primate cabbie during rush hour. I'm just trying to make a living, man.
You're very welcome, Scara.
I forgot to mention the weather. Should be mid-60s to start the day, into the mid-70's later. But that's not as important as the rain. Expect rain early in the day, maybe even into post time. That sucks because if the sun does come out, you'll really start to feel the humidity.
Right now, they don't expect it to rain all day. That's been the trend lately. Rain early, humid afternoons, cool evenings. No biggie for us manly men, but it means there will be a lot of pissed-off ladies sporting wet bonnets and ruined 'dos. Beware.
As Miss Cellania said, it all depends on your seats. I have been a resident of Louisville for 15 years, and I can attest to the vast difference between those going to the infield, and those with box seats (make a visit to the liquor store during the week leading up to the Derby, and you will be able to tell).
Some years you want to dress against heat and sun, some years cold weather, but this year . . . rain. It stands at a 60% chance now, so if you are going to the infield, wear clothes you can afford to throw out.
Have fun, and good luck!
Tim is dead on. The only thing I'd change would be to go ahead and bet every race if you've got $50-$100 to blow, but only study the racing form for two of the races. You'll likely win at least one of the bets (esp. if you bet mostly favorites) and then you'll be able to tell people that, when you went to the Run for the Roses, you won.
Sure it may cost you a Ben to do it, and a little fuzziness on the details in the explanation, but it'll be worth being able to say, "Went to the Derby, walked out a winner" when folks ask you how the weekend went.
The other alternative is to bet $2 on each horse in the Derby itself. It's a cheaper cheat, but a much more certain money loser.
Update...
I Want Revenge is out of the race....
Do I get any extra credit for my Darby picks?
I earned some big cash and nobody even noticed.
Tim, here's a sling...you seem to have sprained your arm patting yourself on the back...
alternate between ice and heat for the next 24 hours and it should recover nicely...
Next time buy us all a round of mint juleps and we'll notice right away....
Jeebus, I waited two days for someone to say something and I got bubkes.
It was a hell of a call.
But you also suggested he bet on I want Revenge...
... which got scratched.
Look at my bet, it's documented. It paid $124.