S
Gotta go fast
pring is for new beginnings, and in the South, During that same time period, my family was driving north spring is also for the races. through Louisville, and I begged my parents to stop and The Talladega 500 is on Sunday, April 24, and tour historic Churchill Downs and the museum. What a the first Saturday in May is always reserved for the sight it was with its famous twin spires. Kentucky Derby. Both are full of horsepower, fashion and In 2018, Chad and Danah Gilliland of TowBoatUs called bourbon and make joyful thundering noise. and had an extra ticket. And not just any ticket; it was front I have had the distinct pleasure of attending both of row at the finish line for both the Derby and the Kentucky these events. Southern people, for all their slow Oaks, which is a fillies-only race on the Friday talking, love things that go fast. Horses and cars before the Derby. It was a once-in-a-lifetime both fit that bill. experience to have a front row seat at the finish I have only been to the Talladega 500 once, line and watch Justify win in the rain. He went about 10 years ago. I do not remember who on to be the 13th winner of the Triple Crown. won, but I remember the sea of cars when we The Triple Crown is awarded to a horse that pulled up that bright sunny day. It was like wins the three-part series that consists of the landing on another planet. Everyone was Kentucky Derby, followed by the Preakness and dressed in favorite drivers’ gear and colors. the Belmont Stakes. Justify is also the only Triple We tailgated out in the parking area and Crown winner to retire undefeated. played cornhole. We ate cherries soaked in Derby style is something to behold. The Everclear. We sat in the grandstands, ate jumbo men wear bright pastel colors and seersucker turkey legs fit for Fred Flintstone and had a great suits with fedoras. The women are dolled view of everything. It was loud, and I liked it. Lacey Howell up in sundresses and elaborate hats piled I probably would have thrived in the infield up with flowers and all kinds of flair and with a few more people watching, but I’m long trinkets. The vendors walk around selling overdue for another visit (and it’s less than one hour’s drive commemorative glass jars of mint juleps, and of course, you from the lake). There are a lot of new features at the track, buy one. including The Garage Experience, where spectators get to There are races all day long before the big end-of-day watch the cars get prepped for the race. races. The most fun thing to do is to get the program and Horse racing is called ‘The Sport of Kings’ and the Derby really bet on the whole day. You can do $2 minimum bets, is dubbed ‘The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.’ and that was the most fun to me. It was exhilarating to be The Kentucky Derby, also known as ‘The Run for the right and win $10 to pay for the next drink. Roses,’ is run on the first Saturday of May. It’s the longest, I went back the following year in 2019 and had a most continually held sporting event in America. Only completely different experience on “The Backside” with 3-year-old thoroughbreds compete in the 1-1/4 mile race. a friend who is a local. The Backside is the stables, home The colts/geldings (males) carry 126 pounds, and fillies base for the champions. It was more casual, had the feel of (females) carry 121 pounds. The prize is $2 million. tailgating, and we were right there, close enough to reach Twenty horses qualify for the race. There are 35 races out and touch the horses. All the jockeys and trainers throughout the country that act as qualifiers, and it’s on walked by on their way to the start gate. It was incredible. It a point system where the top 20 high point winners get a was supposed to rain, and I was prepared this time. I started spot. out in a cute dress but had a Frogg suit in my backpack, just My first memory of watching the Kentucky Derby was in case. I ended up in the Frogg suit and traded the sunhat on live television in the ’90s at my grandparents’ house. for a Derby ball cap. I have yet to have the really great Derby fashion moment. Put these two events on your bucket list if you have never been. And if you have been, go again. There’s always a new experience to be had. Visit the websites at kentuckyderby.com and talladegasuperspeedway. com to plan your trips.
Culture Shock
~ Lacey Howell is a recovering English major from Auburn who now lives on Lake Martin, sells real estate, rides horses and loves good wine. Follow her on Instagram @LaceyHowell and on her Facebook page.
50 Lake Martin Living
