The Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby are over. The biggest weekend in Louisville every year. The Oaks was near record crowd with 112,000 in attendance and the Derby was a record crowd with attendance of 165,000 (which doesn’t count the few thousand that go from the backside to the front side with no tickets).

It was hot and humid weather like we normally get in July. Friday was marred by a thunderstorm which caused a delay and evacuation of the infield just before the 10th race which pushed back post time for the Oaks by about 35 minutes. It always amazes me that no matter the weather the people always come. It seems like from right after New Years men and woman alike start to plan their Derby outfits. The hats were in abundance and the attire seemed to be ramped up this year. Derby also fell on Cinco De Mayo this year so many were dressed for the occasion.

The first ever female rider, Rosie Napravnik won the Kentucky Oaks on BELIEVE YOU CAN owned by former Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones and trained by Larry Jones (no relation) which is great for lots of reasons. This is a race for the fillies, pink is the number one color of the day, Churchill raises money for breast cancer research and it is pretty much a day that focuses on the female/fillies.

The Kentucky Derby was won by I’LL HAVE ANOTHER who is owned by Paul Reddam and trained by Doug O’Neill, ridden by Mario Gutierrez both of whom were first time Derby winners. The owner had a giant weekend as he also ran second in the Kentucky Oaks with BROADWAY’S ALIBI. The Derby winner is by Flower Alley, who we bred a mare to this spring. Flower Alley is by Distorted Humor and was also the sire of Funny Cide. Both the Oaks and the Derby Winner this year were by modestly priced horses ($5,000-$10,000).

Congratulations to all connections of the winners as we close out another Derby weekend and the greatest two minutes in sports.