Through the Lens: A first timer's Kentucky Derby experience

The Kentucky Derby more than a two-minute event, and over the weekend, I followed a first time experiencing both Friday and Saturday's races at Churchill Downs.

Confined to the infield, Dan Morris made the best of the sun on Kentucky Oaks Day, starting with an Oaks Lily...or two.

"Those Oaks Lilys were much better than the Mint Julep or that new drink, the Spire," said Morris, with the Spire a new bourbon drink mixed at Churchill Downs this year.

The Lilys weren't the only attraction to Kentucky Oaks day. Dan got to read the program and attempt to pick some winners.

When asked about the Alysheba Stakes, the race that featured last year's Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, Dan liked his chances.

"I had said to the people next to me that it would be Always Dreaming but if it wasn't, some horse Backyard Heaven, who I picked to upset because I recognized the Ramsey name, would ruin his chances. Looks like I was right about one horse at least."

Dan had seen people wearing TwinSpires.com buttons saying "I am betting on [insert horse here]" and ventured off to find a button for his Kentucky Derby pick.

After a long day in the sun, Friday had come to an end, and Dan was looking forward to Saturday.

"Being here for the Derby is just, well, magical."

The feeling dampened a bit on Saturday however. Dan, a general admission visitor, had no shelter from the monsoon that hit the Louisville area on Saturday. He had ponchos and his Keeneland windbreaker, but no tarp like others in the infield.

"I was cold and shivering. I was so close to calling it quits when I got ahold of some friends in the grandstand who invited me to sit with them."

"Watching the races, especially the Kentucky Derby, from the stands was something else! It was definitely a much better seat than I had in the infield."

"The people above us, they must have been having a very good day because they were tossing money off the balcony!"

When asked how he felt about the rain, Dan was clear that he was not very pleased with it. "Even sitting in the stands, I was getting wet. I can't believe people would just sit there for hours and hours in the rain."

As the time came, people packed the stands and the horses hit the track for the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby. Dan had been backing Mendelssohn for a few weeks, thinking he could be the first European-based horse to win the Kentucky Derby.

Dan's pick never had a chance in the Kentucky Derby. He was slammed multiple times within the first quarter mile and never gained position.

"I tore my ticket up the minute I realized he got body slammed out of the gate. I have never seen such madness as there was at the break."

Overall, the Derby was a packed house, with over 157,000 people scatted between the stands and the infield. Braving the rain was no issue for those wanting to see a potential superstar in Justify try to win the Kentucky Derby.

When asked if he would ever attend the Kentucky Derby again, Dan said, "Hell yeah, but you better believe I will be saving up to get some seats with cover. No more infield for me!"