Kentucky Derby time

One month to Mint Julep Saturday in Loo-ah-ville.
 
Saw UNCLE MO run away from the field a couple of times last year,
 and he started out this year with a nice win so he looks good. 
 
Also saw a fine lookin' lad named DIALED IN come from last to win at Gulfstream
so Uncle Mo may have some competition.  Love those stretch runners.
 
Think I will head for Tampa Bay Downs to lose a few Quid while watching the DARBY
on the big screen.  Or maybe just head for the local pub.
 
 

I am everlastingly grateful that the Great State of Mississippi chose to open casinos on every street corner rather than allow horse racing. I care nothing for the casinos, but I would cut work and lose the grocery money if there was a track nearby. I do love the ponies!

the ancient mariner


One month to Mint Julep Saturday in Loo-ah-ville.

 
You know, I've lived in Kentucky most of my 62 years, and I've yet to find anyone who truly likes a Mint Julep.

They race horses at the Kentucky Derby? I thought it was a celebration of the Hot Brown. And when you have a Hot Brown before you, why would you care about some four-legged overachievers with little people on their backs?

Michael Hoffman


They race horses at the Kentucky Derby? I thought it was a celebration of the Hot Brown. And when you have a Hot Brown before you, why would you care about some four-legged overachievers with little people on their backs?

 
I made the mistake of making Hot Browns when my sons were young.  I guess I did too good of a job.  They have tried Hot Browns all over the state, including the Brown Hotel, and they tell me they don't stack up to mine.
 
Now, every once in a while, one of them will call and say it's Hot Brown time.  Now a days, it's not just the two of them and my wife and me though.  It includes their families which total eleven souls.  Fixing Hot Browns for 13 people is a formidable task.  But, that's small price for a proud grandpa.

Congratulations on your Hot Browns.
 
I had my fist one at the Brown Hotel back in the '70s. And as far as I'm concerned the ones there have been the best. However, another really, really good one I've had -- several times -- has been at the Executive West Hotel in Louisville.

I had a good buddy who played football for the University of Louisville.
Joe was a real Kentucky Colonel and fine Southern Gentleman and he made the best Hot Brown I ever had.  Come to thing about it his were the only Hot Browns I ever had.  But they were good.

Liking or disliking Mint Juleps is not important - it is all about a ritual. The Kentucky Derby is incomplete for us without a julep in hand while standing and singing "My Old Kentucky Home"  while the horses move to the post. And, experience has taught us to not use up the best Bourbon in the juleps - cheap stuff will do - the good stuff is for sipping after the race is over.
 
Cheers, John 

I must admit I am not a Mint Julip fan. According to my Mom , my Father loved his made with Southern Comfort. I tried that a couple of times and found it to be pretty bad !!
About the Hot Brown. It's OK, and for a regional specialty I give it a 7 on the 10 scale. Either at  the Brown Hotel, or Claudia Sanders Dinner House, but I would probably make it my order at the Brown for tradition.  It reminds me of "Welsh Rabbit" a bit.
Derby time is an interesting time in Louisville. Thunder Over Louisville is less than 2 weeks away ! It is a huge airshow over the river, lasting all afternoon, then a massive fireworks display at about 9 PM using the Clark Bridge and a bunch of Barges to serve as the launching platforms for the pyrotechnics. If the weather is good the crowd will surpass a million along the riverbanks watching the show.
Most of the aircraft make their turns for the 'run up the River' over our home, so we get a pretty good look at them a few minutes before they appear on the TV screens downtown.
The local TV stations spend a lot of time on their morning shows covering the activity at the Downs for a week or more before the Derby. Fun to get the background stories on everything related to the race and the participants.
 

Ditto on Mint Julips, laughably crappy!

Julep or not---
Hot Brown's or not
It is a wonderful day.
One year I packed a picnic and went out to my station wagon
and had a tail-gate party for one.
Sat back and listened, as we did before TV. to Clem McCarthy
describe the race.  Don't remember if it was the one where McCarthy called the name of the wrong horse as winner, or the one where Willy Shoemaker pulled up short of the finish line.   
 
Whatever------it is always a great day.

the ancient mariner

Think I will head for Tampa Bay Downs to lose a few Quid while watching the DARBY
on the big screen.  Or maybe just head for the local pub.

Out here in the Wild West, we have OTB---- IN THE SALOONS!
Here's one of them;
http://www.mcduffysgrille.com/otb.htm

I ordered my first mint julep in the French Market in New Orleans.
 
I looked at it...  There are weeds in my glass!
 
I took a sip.
 
I ordered a snowball and have never again ordered a mint julep.