Nora and BW at the Kentucky Derby 2006 -- Louisville

Nora and BW at the Kentucky Derby 2006

Saturday dawns cool with promises of sunny skies and a high around 70. I take my little yellow trench coat just in case.

My hat is fabulous! I'll get pictures asap. Hats by Penny--Penny is a reader who contacted me to ask if I'd like her to make me a hat for the Derby. She's had some in the Derby Museum. It's just perfect--fun, elegant, sassy all at the same time.

We head out to Churchill Downs, and it's just as I remember. Stunning. It just sort of takes the breath at that first look. We're zipped right through and up to the Sky Terrace. We're early--only missed the first race of the day. It's already warming outside--and such a view--I'd rather stand out there then sit at the table.

We lose on the first several races, but it doesn't matter. It's such an experience. A bit later, Lafitte (winningest jockey ever) arrives at our table. We'd met him and his gorgeous wife last year--and this year they've brought they're young son. This has to be the most beautiful kid I've ever seen. What a face. And just a cutie on top of it. He gives me tips--and we both lose. LOL.

Allyssa Milano arrives. BW had met her and her parents and her friend the day before at the Oaks. She is absolutely beautiful. Her friend (and my vibe was friend not boyfriend) is funny and charming, her parents (esp her mother) just delightful. The Elways arrive--though they can't stay through the Derby race due to previous committment. He's a looker, too, boy.

We talk with Phil the poker guy--we met him last year. He's there with one of the owners of the San Antonio spurs, and insists the guy show us his ring. Giant sparkler. Nice guy, too. Everyone's in such a happy mood.

We actually win a couple races. (Lafitte's saying is you can lose your bet, but not your personality. Smart advice, but it's still fun to win.) Woo-hoo. And I find myself standing outside next to Gary Cole. Oh God, I love Gary Cole. He seems a little shy at first when I tell him I'm a big fan--warm, but a little shy. And boy, oh boy, does he have terrific green eyes in that handsome face. He loosens up considerably when I mention American Gothic--the short-lived series he did that BW and I were hooked on. We talk easily now with him and his pretty wife.

At some point, I walk down the room to hit the john, and see John Hurley--somebody else I'm nuts about. Gee. I don't want to go over to his table because he's eating, but shortly BW and I are in line to bet, and he's right in front of us. So I have to tell him I'm a big fan. He's nearly as tall as BW, and looking pretty damn smooth in a white suit. He's so funny, exactly what you'd expect. When he finds out BW is a bookseller, he asks for his card. Wants to send him his new CD, see if he wants to carry it in the store.

Hey, we actually win a couple of decent bets in the 8th and 9th races. Just warming up for the big one.

We have a long list of bets from pals, and the ones we're making for family. Make our own, virtually covering the field between us. LOL. We can't lose!

It's just amazing. The beautiful sky, the track, the crowds, the color. And when they bring the horses out, it's just the most amazing moment. Everyone's crowded out on the terrace now while they play My Old Kentucky Home. Everyone's cheering and talking and laughing, hats bumping.

And when they break at the gate, it's just a roar and thunder. A wall of sound. I can't tell which horse is which; it doesn't matter. It's just the moment. Go, go, go! When they round the backstretch, I see number 8 make his move--and remember we bet most heavily on Barbaro. And wow, when he makes his move, he makes it, pulling away like he clicked into another gear. He's magnificent, they all are.

What a ride.

We realize after we had a little money on Bluegrass Cat and Steppenwolfer (place and show), too. And that Kayla's pick was Bluegrass Cat. I'd bet on Cat, too, for Jason because of his Kat. Two of our pals won a little as well. While we're cashing in, scribbling down the amounts for other people, Allyssa tells us she had a winning ticket, got excited, and it flew right out of her hand. LOL. Someone down below, she says, now believes in God if he didn't before.

BW and I want to stay for the last two races--and I'm grateful for my little trench as it's starting to cool down. We say goodbye to some of the people we've met who're heading out. Place our bets. Win again. On the last race we decide to do an exacta, boxed. Don't really know what the hell we're doing, but it's the last race. We box one and six because of the names. Stand out on the terrace with the other die-hards. And what do you know, one and six come in, win and place! I think we made about 400 on a 20 bet.

We won at the Derby, in more ways than one.

Nora

ADWOFF > Kentucky Derby 2006 > Louisville > The Race