We returned to Kansas City last night after spending the weekend in Louisville and attending the 140th Kentucky Derby.
Whenever masses of people determined to have fun and be seen come together, you can count on a spectacle, and the Derby never disappoints in that sense.
Over the years, the event has become too commercialized, especially with a huge, new video board pummeling you — at seemingly stratospheric decibel levels — with advertisements and various promotions. Of course, it would be naive to expect anything else. Maybe it’s a sign of age, but I’m starting to wonder if I’ve reached the point where the event is becoming more of an endurance contest than an opportunity to kick up my heels…Really, I can’t get very far off the ground any more.
Enough complaining and philosophizing, however, let’s get to the photos…
The crowd. (Note that the Twin Spires, Kentucky’s No. 1 landmark, are getting dwarfed by the high-rise construction of top-dollar seating facilities on either side.)
An alluring look always accentuates a beautiful hat.
Sophistication doesn’t have a monopoly on the proceedings, however.
Two of our “boxmates” — Adam and Eva, from the Chicago area. (Adam and Eva…I swear.)
Eva (right) and Ella, another boxmate, with tasty treats.
Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy C. Fitzpatrick of Kansas City, Missouri.
Under cover, in the First Floor Clubhouse.
Not all the hats are special.
It can be difficult to maintain the pace.
Sometimes it’s the shoes that stand out.
Before the Derby race, even the chefs (note the two or three tall hats in the top tier) stop what they’re doing to watch the horses come over from the stables.
The “walkover” from the stables is one of the great Derby scenes. Horse trainer Bob Baffert once called it “an out of body experience.”
Immediately after the race, even the bright reds start to pale.
Then, 164,000 people have to get out of the track and its environs.
No van for us…We park with Charlie and his wife Barbara, who live a few blocks from the track. See you next year, Charlie…God willing.
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
Great picture of the hot chick wearing the orange blouse
She’s a winner.
Jim:
I agree about the “hot chick in the orange blouse”. Your pictures are great fun, Jim. Great of you and Patty–love her hat. And love the big red rose chapeau.
Cheers,
Laura
High praise, indeed, coming from the fashion editor!
Jim:
I was never fashion editor. Fashion is the last thing on my alleged mind.
As am sure you know, the last phase of my life at The Star was writing about Kansas City People.
Marjean Busby was fashion editor preceding Jackie White.
But I still love Patty’s hat and the one with the big red rose.
Cheers,
Laura
Make that society editor.
Wonderful spread. Wonderful feature.
Thanks, Marty.
Love the pictures! Looked like great fun.
Ok, important details left out. How much to park? What did you eat? Full wager disclosure. Any conflicts of interest? Was your wife a teenager when you got married?
OK! OK! So I glossed over some of the fine points…
I lost $320 (only bet three races, including the Derby); had lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant before the race; pizza at the home of some friends afterwards.
No conflicts of interest — I have never had a “working” Derby where I was writing a story or trying to use KC Star credentials to gain access. I only go for fun and pay as I go.
I was a week shy of 39 and Patty was 28 when we got married. (Only marriage for both of us.)
…The parking? You might find that interesting…Like I said, we parked with Charlie and Barbara, whose photo is in the blog. We parked there three years ago — the last time we had gone to the Derby — and this year, when I pulled into his driveway, he told me he wasn’t parking cars any more — too much of a hassle. However, he said that since I had remembered him he’d make an exception for us.
I offered him $30 and he took it with a nod. After the race, when we came around to say goodbye and get the car, I gave him another $20 (which he’s holding in his hand in the photo).
…Ned, you’re a hell of an interviewer — a chip off the old block.
(Ned’s father, the late Jim Scott, was editorial page editor at The Star for many years.)
Love this slice of the Derby, Jim. Now, to top it, I expect you to go to the Preakness and participate in the PortaPotty Run. And film it.
It just so happens I’m going to be in D.C. the weekend of the Preakness…I’ve never been to one, and I just might pop over there just to see how it compares with the Derby — and, of course, to see if Calif. Chrome can get the second leg of the Triple Crown…Never heard of the PortaPotty Run, but you’ve piqued my curiosity.