When it come to horse racing...I couldn't care less. Anyone with me on this? In fact, I don't see anything at all appealing about it. No, I didn't grow up in KY...grew up in NC but have been in KY almost 25 years now. I know it's a big deal here, for some anyway, and I guess growing up here it just kind of becomes part of the land scape. I have had several here in KY tell me they feel the exact same way about NASCAR racing, and I pretty much grew up in the heart of NASCAR country. Hey, I can understand that opinion, but my reaction to that is...no one is trying to make a big push to build a major horse track in NC. We now have KY Speedway in Sparta with a major NASCAR race along with other prominant races. NASCAR 1, horse racing 0.

 

Personally, the ONLY reason horse racing is anywhere near as big as it is, is because of the gambling aspect. Take that away and there is no horse racing. And I'm not a gambler, so maybe thats why I have no affinity for it. With that said, Keenland is a beautiful track and I have enjoyed a day or two there with friends.

To each his own. Love horse racing and have since I was a kid. The fact you did not grow up around horse racing would be the main reason you have no affinity for it IMO.

I'm with you, as I posted in the Derby thread, in my best Austin Powers voice, "It just ain't my bag, Baby".

 

The thing is, I would like to be interested in it because generally it is very good for KY and from the outside looking in I think I should enjoy it. But whenever I have tried to follow it in the past, it just never took.

 

I think I am more turned off by the pomp and circumstance of it than anything. Too much pretension surrounding it for my taste. Maybe that is just magnified around the Derby and that could be why I have that view.

 

Perhaps I should just visit the track on a normal day and give it a chance to change my mind.

I enjoy going to Keeneland. Place miniscule bet just to have a rooting interest in each race. I would venture that MOST people that don't like horse racing have never been to a live race. Same for NASCAR, had a friend that hated NASCAR...got tickets to Brickyard and was hooked after relenting and going to the race.

I do not follow it but I am fascinated by the business aspect of it. I do enjoy a nice day at Keeneland as well.

 

I like the tradition of the KY Derby even though I can't really tell you many/any of the horses in it.

I'm with you, as I posted in the Derby thread, in my best Austin Powers voice, "It just ain't my bag, Baby".

 

The thing is, I would like to be interested in it because generally it is very good for KY and from the outside looking in I think I should enjoy it. But whenever I have tried to follow it in the past, it just never took.

 

I think I am more turned off by the pomp and circumstance of it than anything. Too much pretension surrounding it for my taste. Maybe that is just magnified around the Derby and that could be why I have that view.

 

Perhaps I should just visit the track on a normal day and give it a chance to change my mind.

Derby is the day when all of that is highlighted and probably not the best picture of most of the people involved. The collective essence of cigar smoke, Mint Juleps, gambling, and Chanel No. 5 permeate through the area and it is suffocating to many because a big chunk participating are just there for the show and it is obvious. It is a big day for the state though and Kentucky is highlighted big time which is cool.

Horses running in a circle or cars driving in a circle, I feel the same about both...

There's nothing like being at the Kentucky Derby. If you haven't been, then you don't know what I'm talking about.

I'll say this about the state of Kentucky. We're often made fun of and ridiculed, but there are a few things we do better than everyone else (baseketball, horse-racing, and bourbon). Point being, if you aren't from Kentucky, I just don't think you can understand it. :idunno:

I'll say this about the state of Kentucky. We're often made fun of and ridiculed, but there are a few things we do better than everyone else (baseketball, horse-racing, and bourbon). Point being, if you aren't from Kentucky, I just don't think you can understand it. :idunno:

 

Reminds me of:

 

I said where I come from

It's horse racing and bourbon

Where I come from a lot of back yard basketball

I have been to the Derby twice (once in the infield and once from good seats), the Oaks once, and Keeneland many many times over the last 30 years. These are EVENTS not just horse racing. Tail gating, people watching, socializing, and great food/drinks are all part of it. I know lots pf people who come for the fun and never place a bet.

 

I have been to Saratoga twice and loved it too.

There's nothing like being at the Kentucky Derby. If you haven't been, then you don't know what I'm talking about.

 

And I happily never will.

I love Kenneland and the races. Great atmosphere.

 

I'd love to go to the Derby.

There's nothing like being at the Kentucky Derby. If you haven't been, then you don't know what I'm talking about.

 

I've went once, and I was in the infield. If I ever go back, I can guarantee, I'll never set foot on the infield again. Worst experience ever. Maybe you're talking about actual seating. :idunno:

I've went once, and I was in the infield. If I ever go back, I can guarantee, I'll never set foot on the infield again. Worst experience ever. Maybe you're talking about actual seating. :idunno:

I've been to Derby 6 times. It may be worth doing 1 time in everyone's life if you like a huge backdoor party but I do not recommend going to stay in the infield. Some people love it though (young and old) and have been doing it for years.