Giddy-Up: Four More Days To The Kentucky Derby
My anticipation for the first Saturday in May starts earlier and grows more fervent each year, and it seems like I learn something new every spring. For instance, I didn’t know there was a famous train decades ago that ran from Dallas-Fort Worth to Louisville, dubbed the “millionaires’ special,” that signaled the start of Derby fever. It was the Gulfstream of the day for owners and horseplayers. Very cool. (If someone wants to hire me to write about 200 pages about the Texas & Pacific’s trek to Kentucky, let’s chat.)
In related Derby news, the peeps at the NYT have (wisely) asked SMU alum, fellow horseplayer, and fellow fan of Louie’s Joe Drape to contribute to the new, Derby-centric blog called The Rail. Interested parties should check it out.
2 Comments to “Giddy-Up: Four More Days To The Kentucky Derby”
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Ahhhh…Derby Day. My hometown. My uncle had a box. Unfortunately, there is no legacy in passing down a box. Still get a lump in my throat signing “My Old Kentucky Home.” My step-dad makes the very best mint juleps! You have to use 100 proof bourbon (or as close to 100% as you can find in TX)..it helps put the frost on the outside of the glass. Another Dallas connection: Hasenour’s, a legend Louisville restaurant, always hosted the winning owner for dinner that night. Menus were quickly printed up with the horse’s and the owners names. You weren’t anyone unless you were at Hasenour’s Derby night. One of the last managers of the new defunct Hasenour’s… Greg Fearing. Brother of you know who…
and I am in the area now. . . Daughter works for Brown-Foreman (makers of JackDaniel) we will be having continuing fun this derby week.