NYC ILXors - Oh, Why Not? Kentucky Derby, Any Interest?

YaY! ^_^

Where you at James?

You have no idea how many people have tried to turn me on to the Dead. "Oh no, you have to be on drugs to appreciate the Dead" they tell me. I take drugs and listen to the Dead, it only enhances and PROLONGS the boredom to the point where I find listening to static on the radio more interesting (actually, radio static is pretty cool) than listening to them.

You are joking, right? Free plane ticket, and all I have to do is listen to the Grateful Dead? You don't actually say anywhere that I have to LIKE them. Or in fact that I can't wear earplugs while listening to them... hrmmmm, if I didn't have a morbid fear of airplanes, I'd so be there!

"Box of Rain"? How about "The Race Is On"? It's the Kentucky Derby!

"Run For the Roses", surely. Not that anyone would want to listen to it.

THIS IS MY FREAKING DREAM WEEKEND - KENTUCKY DERBY. I TOLD DAVE GRUBBS ABOUT THIS IN 1985.

WHY IS IT NOW 2003 AND I HAVE STILL NOT MADE IT TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

ARE YOU SURE YOU CANNOT SWING BY SAN FRANCISCO.

HECK, I COULD EVEN MEET YOU IN OAKLAND.

Yeah, I wouldn't wanna listen to that either.

kate - 13 hours in a van (each way), but we're not going to listen to the Dead the whole time. That would really piss most of my friends off, too.

Thanks for the added interest - Matos, felicity, Mary, maura, JBR, Andy - now added to my list. We may have to rent 2 VANS!!! Word!

BurmaKitty - sorry, I can't drive out to the West Coast. Southwest flies to Louisville from Oakland, though tickets for that weekend might be sold out already. BTW I haven't seen Grubbs at Derby in some years now.

Okay so peeps, check this, I found out about some shows going on in Louisville:

Friday, May 1 - Freakwater, Sean Garrison & Five Finger Discount, Brokeback, Califone

Saturday, May 2 - Trans Am, Dalek, VHS Or Beta?, The Children

Hey nickalicious, are you gonna be able to come up from Lexington and hang out, or what?

I *might* make it out for Saturday, pending school finals. Do the ladies have derby hats? Are you ready for mint juleps?

I hope that I find another mesh hat at Unique thrift store like I did in '98. It was orange and said "Don't Ask Me, I Just Work Here."

If the weather's fine on Saturday, we'll prolly all be at the track. I wanna check out the Trans Am/VHS or Beta? show that night too.

Mint leaves.

Oh my God I think I might really get to do this! If the boy's momma's parents are home this weekend, it's as simple as drive up to LouEVIL, drop him off at their crib (right off Bardstown Rd. like 50 yards from Electric Ladyland), and VOILA!

I didn't know about the VHS-Or-Beta/Trans Am show at all, that sounds AWESOME!

*now full of anxiety cuz it would SUCK to not be able to hit this thing up*

you know you got a place to stay, bro.

There is amazing thrifting in Louisville. I figure Friday will be the best day for that.

(there might still be room in the minivan.)

(who are you louisville lenny?)

*possibly throwing the gig Thursday night by smoking cigarettes and drinking whiskey and forgetting as many lyrics as possible and flubbing notes and falling off the stage and whatnot*

(we may be playing Friday night instead of Saturday, or neither night at all...unfortunately we won't know until Thursday night after the scores are tallied)

April 30, 2003
Empire Maker Is Injured; Kafwain Is Scratched
By JOE DRAPE

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 29 - For days, horseplayers have been looking for the tiniest bit of vulnerability in the Kentucky Derby favorite, Empire Maker, the impeccably bred and seemingly invincible Florida Derby winner. They found it today when his trainer, Bobby Frankel, acknowledged that the colt had bruised a heel in his right front foot in his last victory, in the Wood Memorial, and that he had sought veterinary attention for the ailment early this morning.

That revelation, as well as Bob Baffert's decision to scratch Kafwain when the big colt turned up lame after today's workout, has transformed Saturday's Derby into a legitimate up-for-grabs race - and a far more interesting race to wager on - rather than the first step to the Triple Crown that Frankel; his jockey Jerry Bailey; and much of the betting public had projected for Empire Maker.

Even more intriguing was that Frankel was initially reluctant to disclose the ailment, not mentioning it in a nearly 45-minute news conference this morning at his barn. Later, however, he released a statement about Empire Maker's condition to Churchill Downs, acknowledging that his veterinarian, Dr. Ken Reed, examined Empire Maker after the colt's one-mile jog around the track. Reed said that the colt had sustained the bruise in the Wood Memorial on April 12 at Aqueduct.

"My vet doesn't think it's a real problem," Frankel said. "In fact, if this wasn't the Kentucky Derby and all the attention that goes with that, this would never be an issue. He recommended I walk him another day. He thinks that will take care of it. It's because of a bruise he suffered in his last race.

"They said the track was a little hard this morning and it might have affected him. But I really think he's going to be O.K. You can never be 100 percent sure in this business, but I'd say I'm 98 percent sure he'll be all right. But it's the Derby, you know, so what are you going to do?"

Heavy favorites have been snakebitten in America's most famous race in recent years. Only one post-time favorite in the past 23 years, Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000, has won the race. In 1992, A. P. Indy was scratched the morning of the race when the trainer Neil Drysdale discovered the colt had a hoof injury. A. P. Indy returned to win the Belmont Stakes, the Breeders' Cup Classic and the title of Horse of the Year.

It looks as if the 129th running of the Derby will feature a field of 16 after today's post-position draw, a number that dwindled after Baffert scratched Kafwain not long after the colt finished a five-furlong workout in company with his stablemate Indian Express. The twosome worked in an identical time of 59{+3}/{-5} seconds, but Kafwain appeared to labor to keep up with the less accomplished Indian Express.

"He's out," Baffert said. "He didn't cool out well, and we started to look at what happened. We don't know exactly what's wrong, but it looks like a check ligament in his right front. We'll have him X-rayed to find out."

Empire Maker, who had won three stakes races and more than $715,000, became the second setback for Baffert, who earlier in the year had to take last year's undefeated 2-year-old champion, Vindication, off the Triple Crown trail because of injury. Still, Baffert, who has won three of the last six Derbys, was buoyed by the progression of Indian Express. "That was his best work ever," he said. "I'm getting kind of excited about him. He was in front the whole way, but that's his style. He looked good out there."

Still, Baffert acknowledged that Indian Express, a Utah-bred colt who began his racing career in Panama, remains a long shot. He has yet to win a stakes race and has had only four starts. The last horse to win the Derby off such limited experience was Exterminator in 1918.

"He's improved a lot since we first got him, and this work showed me he's improved since the Santa Anita Derby," Baffert said of Indian Express's narrow second-place finish. "I like what I see in him, and I feel good about leading him up there. He's only got one style, so we'll send him to the front and he'll go as far as he can."

In New York today, the trainer Barclay Tagg was also pleased after Funny Cide turned in a sharp 59{+2}/{-5}-second workout at Belmont Park. Funny Cide, a New York-bred gelding, finished second by a half-length to Empire Maker in the Wood and will be flown here on Wednesday (Wednesday). "He went just perfectly," Tagg said. "It really was a perfect work for him. I'm satisfied he's ready."

If I don't see anyone at the races, I might see you at the Trans Am show afterwards. I will be the tall guy wearing a NASA hat. The tall guy standing next to me rapping will probably be Nickalicious.

Now that I think about it, tho, my stepdad might have free shareholder passes. I hope he remembered to leave 'em on the kitchen table.

A) puke on him, or
B) turn to him and say "Damnit Jim I'm a doctor not a miracle worker!" for no reason whatsoever.

No. - Horse - Trainer - Jockey - Odds
1 - Supah Blitz - Manny Tortora - Rosemary Homeister - 50-1
2 - Brancusi - Patrick Biancone - Tony Farina - 30-1
3 - Sir Cherokee - Mike Tomlinson - Terry Thompson - 15-1
4 - Atswhatimtalknbout - Ron Ellis - David Flores - 12-1
5 - Peace Rules - Bobby Frankel - Edgar Prado - 8-1
6 - Funny Cide - Barclay Tagg - Jose Santos - 15-1
7 - Offlee Wild - Tom Smith - Robby Albarado - 30-1
8 - Buddy Gil - Jeff Mullins - Gary Stevens - 8-1
9 - Indian Express - Bob Baffert - Tyler Baze - 12-1
10 - Lone Star Sky - Tom Amoss - Shane Sellers - 50-1
11 - Domestic Dispute - Patrick Gallagher - Alex Solis - 30-1
12 - Empire Maker - Bobby Frankel - Jerry Bailey - 6-5
13 - Eye of the Tiger - Jerry Hollendorfer - Eibar Coa - 50-1
14 - Ten Cents a Shine - D. Wayne - Lukas Calvin Borel - 50-1
15 - Outta Here - Bill Currin - Kent Desormeaux - 50-1
16 - Ten Most Wanted - Wally Dollase - Pat Day - 6-1
17 - Scrimshaw - D. Wayne - Lukas Cornelio Velasquez - 15-1

I think I"m going with an exacta. Peace Rules for the win, and Empire Maker for place. Both Frankel horses. And I like the political irony.

(I should stop yelling, everybody's asleep)

Let me just say something if I may: I'm totally pissed that I didn't get to get up there and meet up with you guys! Like, GRRR, when will I have an opportunity like this again? Argh.

I guess, what with my band winning an assload of money & free studio time in Atlanta with a performance that we knew to have been awful but everyone else said rocked, that might make up for it a little, but shit I WANTED TO BE THERE!

(I think Cprek did get those box tickets, cuz whoever did his radio show yesterday...HOO-BOY WHAT THE FACK!?!)

I hopefully will post some pics from the trip later today...

The Derby was great, but for me this trip was all about CHEAP USED VINYL. I came home with a couple dozen records. I'm sure I'll write about my big score in greater detail later on. Right now I have to attend to my throat.

“Now that we’ve gone halfway, should we turn around and go home?”
Churchill Downs sign at Gate 1
The Twin Spires of Churchill Downs
Drunk guy in a suit
Infield fashion
More Infield fashion
Derby sign
Of course, only the most tasteful and refined people are allowed into the Infield

Derby Crew
Eve
Jody
Josh
Mary
Matos
Pray that your horse comes in
Eve endorses AtwhatI’mtalkingabout while Josh looks on vacantly
Queen of all she surveys
Actual Derby action
Funny Cide gallops back to the Winner’s Circle
Mary discovers the joys of a Mint Julep
After a long day of handicapping, discerning bettors find ways to relax
After a long day of handicapping, discerning bettors find ways to relax (pt 2)
Back through the tunnel, and on to a Derby party
Sunday morning, one last look at hstencil’s parents’ verdant back yard before 14 hours in the van
Florence, Y’all sign (near Cincinnati)
“Now that we’re halfway home, should we turn around and go back to Kentucky?”
The GW Bridge at night, back in New York City
One last shot of the crew, back in NYC

from The Courier-Journal

-48,000 jumbo hot dogs
-12,000 1/3 lb. cheeseburgers
-8,000 Southern-style barbecue sandwiches
-7,500 assorted made-to-order deli sandwiches
-2,500 grilled ribeye steak sandwiches
-30,000 ice-cream cones, ice cream bars and frozen lemonade
-92,000 assorted soft drinks
-185 tons of cubed ice for soft drinks
-81,500 mint juleps
-8,000 liters of mint julep bourbon mix
-7,000 dozen sprigs of mint
-80 tons of shaved snow ice
-2,200 kegs of draft beer
-3,500 cases of 16-ounce assorted canned beers
-71,000 imported hand-rolled cigars
-1,800 lbs. beef tenderloins
-2,000 lbs. jumbo shrimp
-2,000 lbs. fresh seafood salad
-1,500 lbs. prime rib of beef
-50,000 assorted souvenirs

(also: YIKES! THAT'S A LOTTA MEAT!)

< /envy >

Hmmmmmm

Yes that is me in my bono sunglasses.

I should have bet on the NY horse ALL the signs were there.

http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2003/05/11ky/wir-front-derby0511-10966.html

it is a pity that they have run out of Tottenham Swan tops already

now, ilxes own dave boyle has been know to sport a st pauli top, which is quite nice. actually we are into the territory of one of your other threads now arent we, i'll see you over there!

A Kentucky Derby for New York
So a New York horse finally wins the Derby, and wouldn't you know it, a week later there's an official inquiry. We needed that, just the ticket to take the swelling out of a little sorely needed state pride? A news photo and an article last week in The Miami Herald questioned whether Jose Santos, the jockey who rode Funny Cide to a surprise triumph on May 3, used an illegal gadget to win the race. The photo seemed to show something besides a crop in Mr. Santos's right hand, perhaps even an illicit "battery" device to shock the horse across the finish line. As the story took hold over the weekend, you could almost hear the harrumphs and the tut-tuts from the mint julep crowd, which had barely considered the New York team in the running.

But after a thorough inquiry, the Kentucky Racing Commission has found no wrongdoing by Mr. Santos. The commission studied stacks of photos and videos. Officials examined the track and the turf to make sure nothing was dropped as the horse appeared before the 150,000 Derby spectators. And commissioners decided that Mr. Santos could not have held anything extra while he was also flipping his crop from one hand to another on a horse galloping at 35 miles an hour. So for the second time around, they stamped it an official win for Mr. Santos and Funny Cide, restoring New York State's unfamiliar pleasure in having Derby bragging rights.

The New York Legislature, burdened by a depressing budget process these days, paused yesterday to praise Mr. Santos, the breeders and the owners of New York's famous gelding. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has his own fiscal problems, revealed that he had discovered an unexpected revenue source when he bet on the hometown favorite, who left the post with 12-1 odds and earned the mayor $600. For some, questions may linger about the 2003 Kentucky Derby, but New Yorkers are used to the idea that very little good comes without a tinge of controversy. This was and is a delicious victory at a time when we can all certainly use it.

Mary, did you see the grey polo one? Yeah, I bought that one.

The reason he's a bazillionaire is because he's a cheapskate.

Uh, not really.

1. Cherokee's Boy 15-1
2. a-Scrimshaw 5-1
3. Foufa's Warrior 20-1
4. Kissin Saint 20-1
5. Ten Cents a Shine 15-1
6. Midway Road 20-1
7. Peace Rules 8-5
8. New York Hero 20-1
9. Funny Cide 7-5
10. a-Senior Swinger 5-1

So, who is everyone gonna bet on in the Preakness? What happened to Empire Maker? Who is New York Hero? And is the fashionably late Funny Cide businesss going to work this time?

Still, awesome victory.

But damn, he was dominating! the Belmont should be great!

take that bob frankel!

I totally have the racing bug.

I really want FC to win the triple crown because I don't think jose's kids can deal with it if he loses.

SO i will havr to give joel money or something for the belmont.

http://commonwealthbar.com/

(if you don't have any pvt parties to go to)

which version? "darkies" or "people?"

C'wealth may open as early as 2, I will inquire.

hey dummy, man o' war NEVER won the derby

I think Lawyer Ron might be too headstrong, he really wants to run early and the pace is gonna be insane ....

same place

OTB across the street closed, so have to plan sidetrip -- who to bet on?

Post time isnt til 6:24 btw, so I won't appear til 3:30-4.

work.

i'm going with Archarcharch

have to find a quick place to watch this before heading to dodger-mets

I'm going! Don't know what time I'll appear, exactly, cos after Cwealth my day is gonna keep going until 1-2am so I might not want to start rly early, but I do want to get some space on the patio...hmm.

I liked Archarcharch aiight before he got post 1

Uncle Mo scratched this morning btw in case you didn't hear

tentatively leaning toward Mucho Macho Man

field if you need it

http://www.drf.com/news/2011-kentucky-derby-field

some good video and stuff here

http://www.drf.com/events/kentucky-derby

< /workspam >

i was thinking Mucho too but feeling like he's fools gold atm for some reason

also i know squat about the ponies tbh

lmao @ calvin borel's horse who should be 50-1 getting bet to 7-1 in early betting

twice the appeal, more like half the appeal amirite

i am lost without uncle mo tbh

I will be there. Laurel, let me know if you plan to get there anytime before 3:30/4.

Okay my second attempt at waking up today went much better than the first one. Fully conscious now. Definitely won't be earlier than that, VP!

on my way by 1530

may rain lil bit

the original derby road trip that prompted this thread was a total blast and all subsequent derbies have made me nostalgic. would be up for doing it again next year.

we can surprise hstencil at his house

Yeah wanted to bike there but pending thunderstorms plus have to go into city this eve kinda killing it.

lol xp xp !! I am not going to hstence's house.

haha, i haven't talked to hstencil in years. his folks did have a sweeet house though.

man, wish i could come see y'all at commonwealth!

my photos of bill ripping up his betting tickets in anger post-race have a special place in my heart

He's really mellowed now and just stoically accepted his defeat.

Miss stencil's house and all big green trees in Louisville.

PJ Clarke's, the Lost Weekend, Shackleton, Lincoln Center.

I bet Mucho Macho Man to win, got 3rd. As Derbies go I've certainly been more wrong about it than that.

Was stuck at work until late then went to Cake Shop to see a band and do tequila shots.

Band from stage: Did Pants On Fire win the Derby?
Me: NO
Band: Who won?
Me: ANIMAL KINGDOM
Band: Boring!

Replay is here if anyone missed it
http://www.drf.com/events/kentucky-derby

i am lost without uncle mo tbh

I went to Aqueduct and witnessed his unraveling in the Wood Memorial in person, lol. what a mess.

the original derby road trip that prompted this thread was a total blast

I went 8 times starting in the mid-'90s but the last one was in 2003 (Funny Cide). gonna try really hard to go next year.

didn't like Animal Kingdom because he had never run on dirt before (only turf and synthetic). guess he likes dirt!

funny cide was a new york horse! (i was hoping stay thirsty would have a shot this year, being from queens stock.)

is it just me or do racehorse names sound like rockband names?

yep Funny Cide was a New York-bred, even (from an N.Y. farm ... majority of top racehorses are bred in Kentucky)

is it just me or do racehorse names sound like rockband names?

sometimes all the horses for one owner are named around a theme, my friend has this idea that if he ever hit the lottery he'd name all his racehorses for Fall songs

and container driver is taking over with a late surge!! out of the pack, heeeere coooomes kicker conspiracy!

has nastan0vich named any horses?

not sure. I think so maybe?

Why did all the men at Commenwealth dressed in Derby fashion look so nice? A straw hat is all it takes?

Because most dudes' standards for dress are so low that we're easily impressed? Because seersucker never hurts?

Ha, Laurel OTM as always. Also, maybe throw in a little gayness for good measure.

some of us stuck with our standard slob look.

forgot to wear my seersucker shorts. would have been a little chilly after dark anyhow. maybe for Preakness.

drove past saratoga track last week. i totally wanna go to a race there at some point! our timing has never been right.
preakness is so close! wish i had more time/money. i read about some unlimited beer infield craziness but tbh it seems scary.

yeah don't do the infield you won't even see a horse. go into the grandstand if you're gonna go. if tickets are gone you can scalp really easily.

saratoga's pretty awesome. total opposite of the derby. just super chill, nice town, and the racing is great every day. only been once, I wanna go back.

p much every summer i discuss plans tryna get up to saratoga (also have only been once)

this is the official preakness mascot for this year btw. not a joke. behold kegasus:

http://thedailyrecord.com/files/2011/03/kegasus.jpg

so if you want to hang out w/ centaur kenny powers I guess go to the infield?

saratoga's pretty awesome. total opposite of the derby.

not that the derby is not awesome. they are both awesome in opposite ways.

omg centaur powers!!

"If the goal is to let them know they will be able to drink to excess, it does communicate that," he said. "If there's confusion about whether they'll be able to pursue sunstroke and alcohol poisoning, seeing this, it's clear indication that yes, they will."

we've now been to toga twice (family drop-ins) during non-race time. hopefully this summer?

disqualification! when did that last happen??

Fake Hooves!

you knew

The Kentuky Derby decision was not a good one. It was a rough and tumble race on a wet and sloppy track, actually, a beautiful thing to watch. Only in these days of political correctness could such an overturn occur. The best horse did NOT win the Kentucky Derby - not even close!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019

I know absolutely nothing about horse racing but what kind of asshole names a horse Maximum Security?