Derby Extravaganza Post - Part II

Are you all tired of the Derby posts or what?! I promise, this is the last for at least a year, I just wanted to wrap up everything with some pictures from Derby Day itself. As noted in my last post, the weather was absolute perfection on Thursday and Friday, but we knew the storms were coming on Saturday - local meteorologists had been predicting it all week. We just didn't know HOW MUCH rain we would get! Even though we were going to be under cover, Ryan ran out and bought the last two ponchos at the closest Wal-Mart for the walk from the cab drop-off to our seats. I also took a garbage bag (yes, a garbage bag!) to carry my hat in before we got to our seats so I wouldn't ruin it - it's all about the hat!

Unfortunately, I didn't take nearly as many pictures on Derby Day, due to the rain and the cool breeze I was trying to fight off with my flimsy wrap. Ryan did take a couple with my iPhone so you could see the outfit and hat - sorry for the picture quality!



This outfit was my favorite of the week (probably because it's green, my favorite color). My friend Anna did a great job - the hat was the prettiest shade of chartreuse. Without even realizing it, I ended up matching the colors of Mission Impazible's silks! (See the button in the pictures??). I wish I had more pictures of the hat to share with you - it has a beautiful, creamy magnolia bloom on the side, and some faint pink orchids which Anna used to pick up on the pink in my dress.

Speaking of pink, check out that tutu Alexandra was sporting Derby morning (thanks Nana and Papa!)!


Ryan was excited that he also got to wear a hat that day and not have to deal with the rain.


More lovely hats - this is our friend Rick's cousin (Connie), sister (Dawn) and mom (Cheris). Many of Rick's family members came in to help him cheer on Mission!


Celebrities who arrived at the track fashionably late were interviewed for everyone to see on the huge screens in the infield - here's a local reporter interviewing Terry O'Quinn, who I'm sure you'll recognize if you're a fan of the show "Lost" (which I have never seen).


Unfortunately, they didn't show any interviews of the celebrities I was interested in (Justin Timberlake and Carrie Underwood, amongst others).

There were lots of beautiful hats, and also some weird fashion choices...


I made only a couple of bets before the Derby race itself - here's a beautiful horse I bet on (unfortunately, he didn't pull through for me!).


Yes, that track was as muddy as mucky as it looks. Here's one interesting shot of the muddy track that was taken during the Derby race:


At long last, it was time for the Derby race itself. The horses are paraded along the track from the backside out to the paddock, and the owners typically escort their horses. I lost count of the number of photographers who came out onto the track to photograph the parade of Derby contenders:


I tried to get a few pictures of Rick walking with Mission Impazible, but the quality isn't so great as I was standing on my tip toes to get a good shot and I couldn't hold the camera still. Mission is the gray horse being led by the individual wearing the number 14. Rick and his Uncle Dennis (also a co-owner) walked alongside of him...



Here's Rick following behind his horse down the walkway leading to the paddock:


The garland of roses being escorted out to the winner's circle:


After the final preparations are made in the paddock, the jockeys ride the horses back out to the track - you can't really see Mission, but that is his jockey, Rajiv Maragh, in teh green and brown silks. They are followed by Todd Pletcher, Mission's trainer, who is also the trainer of Super Saver, the winning horse.



As the horses entered onto the track, an amazing and completely unexpected event occurred - the sun came out! The crowd joined in singing "My Old Kentucky Home" and, as always, it brought a tear to my eye. The sun always shines on our beloved Kentucky home, and it is events like this that make me so proud to be a Kentuckian.

I have to tell you, it is true, the Derby is THE most exciting two minutes in sports - especially when you have some connection (albeit loose) to one of the horses. My heart literally leapt out of my chest, I was so excited, and I cheered my head off for Mission Impazible as he made his way around the final bend. Alas, it was not meant to be, and the day would be won by Super Saver, ridden by the great Calvin Borel.


Mission Impazible still ran a great race, and I'm so proud of that beautiful thoroughbred! We are even more proud of our dear friend - Rick, thank you for allowing us to join you in this wonderful ride. It was an experience we will never forget!