Oh the Derby! A tradition that has been a part of my life for 27 years (and counting). The betting spirit, the bright and bold pastels and patterns, and the reunion of friends and family are just a few things I look forward to every year when hosting. And you never know who you’ll see at the Derby! There’s always a lineup of stars that come to place their bets and to pop champagne with friends.

Other than the ambiance, racing in the Spring means you never know what type of weather you’re going to get. And boy I’ve seen it all – cold, cold rain, hot humid air, snow flurries and the brightest of days. Evidentially, this year ended up being the perfect spring weekend. No rain and not too hot. For those that enjoy the fashion as much as I do, this meant you could go all out.

The outfits are always colorful – the brave ones go big or go home. I saw those that kept the chic look going, and others that threw on a raincoat. There’s always super fun and outrageous hats, but there’s also a mix of classic matching sets with a fascinator for a “Derby touch”. I prefer the classics. This year I chose to wear an Etro blouse with matching silk hat of the same fabric, white palazzo pants and De Petra jewelry.

The end-all-be-all of the weekend is the flip-flop stand outside the entrance to the stables for the women who come wearing the highest of high heels. I can definitely say I have utilized this service before – you have to!

The winning horse this year, Rich Strike, beat out all the others in 80-1 odds. I have never seen anything like it in all the years I’ve attended. Kudos to the winners and those that bet on them!

To finish off the weekend, my husband and I hosted a boxing match viewing at our Kentucky home. Frankfort Ave. Beer Depot was catered, Veneno Tequila was flowing, and many laughs were shared among friends and family. Needless to say, the 2022 Kentucky Derby was one of the best yet!