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Derby Redux: Pennsyltuckian story about memorable Downs trip The author says his friend's weekend and description of the Derby are reminiscent of Hunter S. Thompson's description in "Fear and Loathing," it was one big alcohol fueled party. (Those fans of NPR All Things Considered will be reminded of the story, May 4, 2013, A 'Decadent And Depraved' Derby With Hunter S. Thompson about the start of a lifetime friendship between the Louisville author/Gonzo journalist and the famous London illustrator Rick Steadman. Great as that story was, it's just on a par with born again Adair Countian Jackson Brower, now an ex-pat - as we see it - in his own country, Pennsylvania.) This 90 proof column is one of my personal favorites. It's best viewed on an iPad, from a Stratolounger seatbelt secured, with the bottle of Wild Turkey consumed to just below the neck, and( "My Old Kentucky Home" looped in the head. If the music in the head jumps track and louie-louies "Old Rugged Cross," stop. You're at least one drap over the line. But do make it through this story somehow, it's filled with fascinating factoids and an O. Henry ending, including the 'what might have been' they discovered on the ticket half-way back to Pittsburg.- EW By Jackson Brower, late of the Promised Land, Barnett's Creek, Adair County, KY It reminded me of a chapter out of a Hunter S. Thompson book, specifically "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". My co-worker/buddy at the major drilling company where I'm gainfully employed, told me a story worth re-telling about her and her boyfriend's weekend trip to the Kentucky Derby. On Mondays, it's customary to always ask your co-workers, "How was your weekend." The usual response is, "Not long enough," right? Well, this is one of the best answers I have ever heard in response to that question. First of all, I asked her how long it took to drive down to Louisville. She said, "About six hours." I remember the Pittsburgh to Louisville trip used to take me about eight or nine hours at the least, so they must have been really "hauling *ss', so to speak. She had been to the Derby once before, but he hadn't, and she seemed to know the Louisville area pretty well from her description. During the ten years I lived in Adair County, we never even thought about going to the derby, but I have always enjoyed stories about it. She confirmed the fact that it is one big alcohol-fueled party. They placed their bets, had great seats at Churchill Downs, and, like most others, consumed mass quantities of Mint Julips. She said from what she remembers, it was an exciting race on a slightly muddy track. After the race, on a dare, the boyfriend was able to bypass security and get into the winner's circle where he was able to get some great closeup shots of the winning horse, ORB. At this point, the excitement was so overwhelming and the alcohol so potent that the Pennsyltuckian couple had to make for the exits quickly before they were unable to. After a few cups of strong coffee, they made they way over to Woodford County to check out the Kentucky Bourbon tourist sites and do a bit of sampling. She spoke highly of Louisville as a city, of its beauty and friendliness. She mentioned something that I had forgotten, all of the one way streets. Needless to say, many out-of-towners including themselves found themselves unknowingly going the wrong way. On their way back to Pittsburgh, the boyfriend remembered that they forgot to check their betting tickets after the race. I think she said they were close to Cincinnati when she reached into her pocket and pulled out a ticket with this horses name on it: ORB! Had she remembered to cash out, it would have paid for the trip with plenty of extra to put in the bank. Oh well...ya live and learn! - Jackson Brower P.S. I found it interesting that the winning horse ORB has Pittsburgh connections. The horse is owned by the Phipps family, whose patriarch, Henry Phipps, Jr. was a childhood friend and neighbor of the iron and steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. -Jackson --Jackson Brower This story was posted on 2013-05-08 04:27:02
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