So I have been invited to the Kentucky derby...

It looks like I am going to the first leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs...

I am sure this will be an experience of a life time and something cool to talk about when I am 70... However...

I am in the infield..I know of the horror stories... and how "it's worse than Mardi Gras."

So how do I enjoy the horse racing and the experience without contracting hep Z..?

Go buy a seersucker suit and grab some mint juleps. You're a smart enough guy, figure it out from there.

be sure to look into some type of liver cleansing before you go.

all the "nut jobs" that attend the Indy 500 also attend this.

Datsun310Guy wrote: be sure to look into some type of liver cleansing before you go.

LOL

The mint julip sounds all innocent and girly doesn't it? Then you wake up and nobody will talk to you.

Brokenbrakes wrote: I am in the infield..I know of the horror stories... and how "it's better than Mardi Gras." So how do I enjoy the horse racing and the experience without contracting hep Z..?

Gotta start with an enthusiastic attitude...As an infield attendee, best to start with the assumption you are a hep z. carrier - so no worries about what might be transmitted. Also plan on alcohol-fueled time travel and learning of your exploits on the book of faces a day or two later.

Very jealous. I'd love to see it, once. I went to the Kentucky Rolex one year (eventing - much like the rallycar side of racing). It was fantastic, although we had to stay miles away, event courses are big and spread out enough that you don't get claustrophobic. First time I ever tried funnel cake, too.

Lesley wrote: First time I ever tried funnel cake, too.

no state fairs where you're at?

Yeah, but I'd so far managed to resist. Wow. Sweet cholesterol overload, even better than butter tarts.

funnel cake.. one of the best things about the boardwalk in OCNJ

plasti-dip. in this case, it's OK to get it on your hootus.

need the full body condom from 12 monkees

i thought they cracked down on all the fun stuff a few years back in an attempt to clean up the image and make the people in the funny hats that aren't in the infield not afraid to venture over there..

Cool! Will you be close enough to smell the exhaust?

Google Hunter Thompson's story about it.

Use my time-tested approach:

1. Leave all cameras and recording devices at home.
2. Bring only the cash you need for x hours of booze. Slightly less than blackout drunk seems to work best.
3. Keep above cash in your sock or jock. Gets funnier every time you buy a drink, and eventually will lead to you falling down (stopping the drinking) or attracting a lady (and stopping the drinking)
4. Wear loose-fitting, waterproof clothes. A hiking store will sell you what you need. Nobody likes a beer-ring on your shirt.
5. Carry no ID at all, ever. (only works if you are obviously over 21, like me) Easier to deny, deny, deny the next day.
6. Prepare your alter ego in advance. You didn't do stupid stuff, that was some guy named Roger Blackthorn! (practice the name so it rolls off naturally)
7. Embrace the beer goggles, they can be your friend.

Build a false floor into your cooler to smuggle booze. It's much cheaper.

So this is a bit off topic of my off topic post but today I went to Keenland

I can see why it's called the sport of Kings... what a blast... I had some beers, some food, watched some horse racing and spent some money...

It was my "date night" with my girlfriend so I spent some money... gambling, food and beers...but if you ever get a chance go!

Oh btw won 8 dollars and 80 cents...!

Brokenbrakes wrote: So this is a bit off topic of my off topic post but today I went to Keenland (home of the second leg of the Triple Crown).

Very cool, been there myself when I was about 12. Would love to go again. However, it is not a leg of the Triple Crown.

Correction... I was wrong, still new to this Kentucky horse racing thing...

Infield is in general self segregated and not bad. Well, one turn will be good or bad depending on your state of mind.

-James