Derby Day

What happens when your friend hosts a smashing Kentucky Derby party on a rooftop in Manhattan with all the Bulleit bourbon mint juleps you could want? You say yes and find a reason to buy a fascinator and get your party dress on. And that's exactly what we did today thanks to Dawn and her team at the Empire Hotel rooftop bar and lounge. She sent out the invite a few weeks back and though I didn't have Nacho's schedule or a babysitter, I said yes. Hell yes. We have been loving our new life in the burbs so much and the day-to-day transition has been so smooth. But having a few weekends here and there to catch up with friends is such a nice balance. And so I was happy to wrangle the details and line things up so I could attend. And the weather cooperated so our rooftop view of the city was perfect. Nacho landed in LGA that afternoon and we met at the hotel for a few hours of fun. 

Our hostess with the mostest

Julie won for her outstanding Derby hat!

Mint julep time!

Of course this was my first time betting on the horses with a small pool we devised moments before the race. I luckily pulled out #7 out of the hat which was Maximum Security--a favorite of the race. Nacho had the second favorite and I started to get a good feeling about this. The race came on and within seconds my horse was in the lead. He kept it for the full 2 minutes and by the last few seconds we were whooping and hollering. It was a crazy, muddy day in rainy Louisville but clearly the sun was shining on me. The $190 kitty was mine! And then I went to the bathroom to emerge to news that this victory was short lived. The review of the tapes showed Maximum Security had veered outside of its lane. The victory party was cancelled and we realized only too late that no one had drawn the number for the now winning horse (a 65-1 long shot). Putting the winning funds towards our bill and tip was a great win-win for all and I have to admit that was the goal anyway. All in all, our day at the races was a great change of pace for this playgroup gang and I'm hoping we'll be back at it again next May.