Bucket List Dream Fulfilled 60 Years Ago
The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby is here. It is the fastest, most exciting two minutes in sports. I know. I was there. Sixty freaking years ago. I was almost 9 years old, but I remember everything about it like it was yesterday.
Why I was taken out of school in the 3rd grade in Fairfield, Connecticut to make a trip first to Ft. Wayne, Indiana with my parents, I don’t know. I just remember we were going to a big horse race in Kentucky that Saturday, May 2nd, 1964. It was a long drive and recalled it being about a 3 ½ hours trip. So, a couple of days ago I did a MapQuest to see how long the trip is. Sure enough, it is still about a 3 ½ hour drive. A long time for a kid to sit in the backseat of a car with only car bingo to play with.
Upon entering the place, I was shocked at the size of the parking lot and the long walk to the entrance. Afterall, the official capacity allowed is about 170,000 people, though I don’t recall a crowd that big ever attending with numbers more like 150,000. I was there with my parents and two other couples that had the incredible tickets.
We had box seating right at the finish line, about 5 rows back, so I was able to stand on the chair and get a good view of the horses as they went by us. The architecture of the building right behind us was very distinctive and remember it vividly.
The Derby itself was the 10th or 11th race on the card and everyone in our group was betting every race and losing. Losing badly. I didn’t have any money of course, and an 8-year-old obviously can’t bet. But I was the only one calling the winners. Everyone was amazed. I had no program to go by, just looking at the horses as they paraded right by us before every race. I had called 3 winners, until my mother finally said ”OK, we will make a bet for you. Who do you want?” I don’t remember who I picked , but it certainly wasn’t Northern Dancer, who broke the 90-year record that day for the fastest race ever. It was 2 minutes flat if I recall. That record held till Secretariat crushed it in 1973 on its way to the Triple Crown – capped by the 31-length win at the Belmont – one of the greatest moments in sports history. Like Tiger Woods in 1997 win at the Masters.
I think my horse came in 6th place. So much for my picks. I do remember the lady that owned the seats with us winning the next race that day – about $220 on a single bet. In today’s money, that is worth nearly $2,000! Then the final race was held, and remember my father’s pick whose jockey fell off the horse on the other side of the track.
It was an amazing experience and nothing like living in Fairfield Connecticut or Ft. Wayne, Indiana in the 1950s and 1960s. What I do remember the most is the roar of the crowd as the horses rounded the stretch. It was unbelievable and experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
A special booklet from that Derby Day is in the museum.
