-Took off work yesterday after a pretty decent Derby effort. That's the play from here on out. Usually try to just fight through it but those days are over.
-The TwinSpires live-betting app is a real easy way to lose the shirt off your back. Deduct right from your bank account, never have to mess with the line at the betting window, and 2 minutes till post you can find yourself deciding it *is* a good idea to make 35 superfecta bets right from your phone.
-Did ok thanks to a couple decent payouts and my wife picking the Derby Exacta (based on no information whatsoever about the horses, obviously).
-Porcini's on Oaks night. Food was excellent. Place was really hopping. Patrons from the track with soaked pant legs, random mud splatter on their outfits- but I liked the way the crowd was pressing through it. Play the hand you are dealt, and whatnot. Said it before but when you combine atmosphere and food- Porcini's and Jack Fry's are my go-to places in Louisville.
-Derby morning the forecast seemed to keep getting worse and worse, but when we got there just around 11:30, everything seemed to clear up for the most part. Probably a good 20 minutes of rain for the day, but we were shielded from anything too bad. Took a first timer out there with us. My sister brought her boyfriend from Boston- the look on people's face when they ride across Central Avenue for the first time is amazing. Not exactly the scene they show you on TV.
-Folks in the box next to us bust out 3 2-liters of ginger ale, all filled with mostly bourbon. Thought that was a bold move, moreso considering they were maybe 60+ years old. They crushed it for sure. We were content with a handful of mini's and $14 beers. We surrounded by a good group of people for the most part. Always enjoy talking with out of town folks about Derby weekend. Its tough to find someone who visits for that weekend and doesnt really enjoy themselves. If they dont, its likely their own fault.
-The valet lot after the race was a mess. Lordamercy. Of course everyone drives with a good buzz that day, but the biggest feat is actually getting your entire group to the car at the same time. Lost count of how many cars the valet would pull up only to have some of the group had wandered off somewhere. The they would just be stuck- no cars could go anywhere until they found everyone. The slow drive out of there, bobbing and weaving to avoid pedestrians is hilarious. And dangerous, I guess.
-Butchertown Grocery for dinner that night. Was excited to try the place out and from what I recall it was really good. I was, however, a bit over-served and didnt appreciate it fully. Will have to try it again on a regular night. Our waitress was a saint for tolerating us.
-Derby participation may be limited in the future as I'm supposed to make appearances at commencement down here with is always the same day. If this was the last time for awhile, i'm content with the effort and the outcome.