Kentucky Derby 138

Hey ya’ll – it’s a couple of weeks late, but I wanted to share our most recent venture out to Churchill Downs for the Running of the Roses, aka Kentucky Derby 138.  We seem to have the rare knack of going to Derby and/or the Oaks (the big race by the fillies the day prior to the Derby) every other year.  I’m beginning to think that this is not a true coincidence, because honey, going to the Derby is a very fun but also very exhausting adventure and I think we need the in-between years to save up our energy and finances for the following year!  You might recall our last trip to the Derby as I posted about here and here. 

As any good Southern girl (particularly Kentucky girl) knows, the most important decision to be made regarding one’s Derby outfit is THE HAT.  In this case, I picked out a really cute, BRIGHT yellow Eva Franco dress with an accordion pleated skirt that I just loved – because of the neon color of the dress, I decided to go with a black hat with yellow accents (and just a bit of pink).  I went to my standby, Dee's, with my dress in hand and picked out the hat form and all of the trim, and within 24 hours, I had a beautiful hat in hand. 

Oh, and Alexandra picked up a little fascinator, too.  We start them out young around here. 

On Derby morning, Ryan and I met up with several other couples and grabbed a couple of pictures (while my hair was still curled, pre-humidity)….

and then headed to the Historic Homes Foundation Annual Derby Breakfast at the Farmington Estate that was hosted by Garden & Gun. 

We had gorgeous weather for the event and it was a treat to see everyone decked out in their Derby finery.  It didn’t hurt that the mimosas were free-flowing and the food was completely scrumptious. 

If you can believe it, the above picture was a CAKE – isn’t it incredible!

There was food as far as the eye could see, a true Southerner brunch. 

I feel like such a glutton showing you my plate, but I am also proud to note that only in the South would pimiento cheese and biscuits and gravy make their way onto the breakfast menu.

We really enjoyed our time at the breakfast and yours truly was asked to have her photograph (really, they only wanted a picture of the hat) taken for Garden & Gun!

After the breakfast, we headed out to Churchill Downs and joined what could only be described as the sea of humanity that was awaiting to enter the grounds.  Only at Derby can you see a very affluent couple dressed to the nines walking in only a few steps away from a redneck with no shirt on and cut off jean shorts, sombrero on head, making his way toward the infield.

It was a great day but it was the hottest Derby I can recall in some time, around 90 degrees.  That might not sound too bad but then you throw in the hat and you are talking MISERABLE HEAT.  It was so hot that my iPhone lens even fogged up! 

I do have to share a close up of the tie Ryan wore – it’s a Vineyard Vines tie with a really fun mint julep motif. 

I believe Vineyard Vines bills itself as the “Official Style of the Kentucky Derby” – seriously, even the tractors clearing the track between races was decked out in VV. 

We made it through the staggering afternoon heat and my hat remained in surprisingly good shape and didn’t wilt (though the same could not be said for my rather unfortunate hair and melting makeup, yikes!!).

The sun eventually went behind the twin spires and a nice breeze started to pass through, just in time for the lovely Mary J. Blige to sing the national anthem.  I don’t know if you heard it during the telecast, but I can assure you it did not serve her justice.  Hearing her sing it live was absolutely incredible – despite the warm temps, I had cold chills up and down my arms when she was done.

Before we knew it, the big Derby race was upon us and we found ourselves standing once more for the singing of My Old Kentucky Home – like my mother, I tend to tear up every time I hear the song, especially while in attendance at the Derby.

In the end, it was an incredible finish and I’ll Have Another won himself glory, a garland of roses, and the love and adoration of the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

It was another incredible Kentucky Derby experience – here’s to our (most likely) next Derby experience in 2014!!