Confessions from a sports junkie – Kentucky Derby edition

I ran into an old friend last week. Albert J. Zender lives in Findlay now, but used to be a long time resident of New Riegel. He is, like myself, very sports minded. In fact, he started up a slow pitch softball team some 50 years ago that included his two sons and several others, including me.Playing in New Riegel and Fostoria under the name AJ's, we had a blast for 10 years. I made lifelong friends and the memories are indelibly etched in my mind. AJ – or Cat as we called him – became a good friend. We were also accomplices, as we managed to hit some major sporting events together. We took the trip up to Michigan to watch Nascar racing at MIS. It was there that we watched Marty Robbins – perhaps better known for singing – lace up his seat belts and go racing against the best Nascar had to offer. Some incredible moments occurred at Roger Penske's race track.AJ and I also went to the Indy 500. Ask me about the time a guy got in my car on the night before the 500. We discovered him when it started raining and to this day have no idea how he got in the car or where he came from. We also decided going to the Kentucky Derby should be on our bucket list and that is what I am going to tell you about today since it is the first Saturday in May.It was in 1980 that we planned our trip to Louisville and Churchill Downs. A teaching friend of mine knew a girl from his high school days that lived in Louisville and hosted Derby goers at her house. He got in touch with her, wanting to know if she had room for a couple of half way decent guys. The word came back. If they could handle floor space to sack out they were welcome.So our dream trip was on. We left on Thursday afternoon. On the way down we heard on the radio that the Cincinnati Reds were playing a home game that evening. AJ claimed he had never been to a National League game nor a night game, so our horse racing trip began with a stop at Riverfront Stadium. It was after midnight when we reached our destination. The lady's house was fully lit and partying was still going on – hey, it was Derby Weekend. Eventually the din subsided and we indeed found floor space and caught a few hours of sleep.When Friday rolled around we had no idea what we were going to do. A couple of the guys that were local fellows suggested we head downtown. There would be plenty of activities to keep us busy. We took their advice and found a little fenced in area that had a musical stage and a beer tent. It was right up our alley.We sat and listened to a Bluegrass band and sipped a few cold ones. The band was quite good, but did seem to have an unusual rule. At least once an hour they would play Rocky Top Tennessee. Under the category of good news… it is a catchy tune. Alas, I found myself humming it for weeks after the trip!We returned to the "house" late in the afternoon and regaled our roommates with our day. One of the guys said the same band that we listened to was going to be at a nearby hotel bar. He would take us there if we wanted to go. In hindsight, perhaps we should have passed on the invite and it wasn't Rocky Top that was the issue.The bar served mint juleps in a souvenir glass that had previous winners of the Kentucky Derby listed. Now if you have had a mint julep before, you know that it is basically a tall glass of bourbon with a mint sprig added. But I had to try one, besides I was going to get a souvenir glass!Once I decided that I could actually drink the julep, I decided that it would be nice to have a "set" of those glasses. I left the premises with four souvenir glasses and the start of a headache that would last until Sunday! AJ seemed to be just fine on race day, whereas yours truly felt a little woozy.There are 11 races held at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May with the actual Derby being the eighth race. We came to the infield before noon on Saturday. The place was packed. When you hear someone describe the scene as a sea of people, it's exactly what it sounds like.I had been telling people all weekend that the one filly in the race was going to win. Genuine Risk proved me right as she topped the field. Did I place a bet on her? Well, no. That would have involved leaving my spot on the blanket, finding the betting window and returning. That seemed like a big ask. Remember I had a drink or two the day before.After the Derby the crowd in the infield disperses even though there are three more races on the card. For the ninth race AJ and I headed over to the fence to watch the horses go by. It was the first glimpse of a horse we had all day!All in all, it was a great trip. Cat, if you read this, I hope it brings back some vivid memories. At the ripe old age of 89, he might well be up for another sporting adventure. A World Series? Maybe a trip to the Super Bowl? I know, how about we go to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show? After all it is the second longest running sporting event in the nation – behind the Derby of course.We headed home on Sunday happy that we had made the trip though I might have done a few things differently if given the opportunity. As you watch the Kentucky Derby later today, think of us being among the sea of people crowded into the infield. Yes, it is as crazy as it looks.If you plan to go to the Kentucky Derby, a word of advice – go easy on the mint juleps!