Your First Derby

[Sightseek]

What was the first Derby you ever watched on tv and/or saw in person?

The first Derby I ever saw on TV was 1992. I remember they showed what seemed to be HOURS of coverage of Arazi and no other horse. When Arazi didn't win, I was all like "What???"

The first Derby I saw live was in 2005. I'm pretty sure I had the same response as in 1992.



A little Kentucky Derby Montage ('87-'06) to get everyone in the mood!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E33yV1pDaPA

[Merlinsky]

On TV, 1991 Strike the Gold, which is weird because I'd been a fan for a few years, but for some reason didn't see the Derby until then. One reason, I'm sure, that I picked him to win was the montage about what happened to Alydar. I won't pretend I knew anything about numbers or conformation at that time. I just knew a sad story and that he was a chestnut.

Random thing related to that, someone I knew tried to convince me their parents owned Strike the Gold. The guy was a pathological liar, and obviously they didn't own the horse, but didn't stop him from swearing it was so.

[keithting]

Never been to Churchill Downs

1st Derby on TV - 1976 Bold Forbes

[goodcopy]

1964 Northern Dancer with my dad and mom and two older brothers

[GenuineRisk]

1983. Sunny's Halo. I wrestled with whether to pick him or Desert Wine, and finally picked him. My grandfather gave me a scratch off lottery ticket for picking him that won me $5.00. I thought I was rich. (Note: I don't count it as red boarding when the person was too young to wager at the time )

My grandfather picked Caveat, I recall. And, of course, my dad had to redeem the lottery ticket for me (see: too young to wager).

My grandfather's birthday was May 2nd, so many Derby viewings happened as part of birthday weekends with the extended family. He loved it.

[TouchOfGrey]

Never saw one in person, but my first exposure to horse racing occured when I was a child; when when my father turned on the Kentucky Derby for his horse-crazy daughter.

The year was 1979. The horse was Spectacular Bid.

[geeker2]

In person:

2002 Warm Emblem
2001 Monarchos
1998 Real Quiet - also made it to my one and only Belmont Stakes to see him get nailed at the wire

[MLC]

On TV, Bally Ache. Carry Back in 1961.

[Cannon Shell]

1st Derby I remember watching on TV is Foolish Pleasure. 1st Derby in person was Strike the Gold.

[Aly-Sheba]

1973 Secretariat. A Great year to starting getting interested in horse racing as a kid!!
Never been to a Derby

[Thunder Gulch]

TV 1977 Seattle Slew
In person- Strike the Gold, and every one since. Damn' I'm old.

[Arletta]

T.V, 1977 Seattle Slew.

I don't think I would go to a live Derby even if I had the chance.. Way too many people. Unless of course it was V.I.P all the way

[my miss storm cat]

Smarty Jones, on tv.

1955, when Swaps beat Nashua. I was 13 years old, and watched it on our 10" black and white RCA Victor tv set.

I'm not sure, but I think the tv coverage of the match race between them later that year attracted a larger audience than the Derby coverage. Nashua and Arcaro turned the tables on Swaps and the Shoe.

Of course, Disney's "Davy Crockett" was the biggest thing on tv in 1955; the Dodgers winning the series was the only sports-related topic I cared about then.

[Payson Dave]

First live Derby for me was Spend A Buck....
Was at Saratoga to see Onion beat Big Red

[wild barry]

First Derby I remember watching was in 1969. Majestic Prince was the winner. 1980, we sat in the infield and saw the filly Genuine risk win. Let me correct myself, one can not see anything from the infield. Had reserved seats from 1986(Ferdinand) thru 1995 (Thunder Gulch)

[Swale84]

1st live Derby for me was 1973-Secretariat

[cmorioles]

First and only was Real Quiet. Too many people for me. I had a blast, but once was enough.

[santana]

First Derby on tv was about 1969.....watched everyone since then...Never been to a live one. I went to every Belmont stakes between 1970 and 1983....some great stuff.

[MaTH716]

1981 Pleasant Colony on TV.

Some day I'll make it to Louisville to see it in person.