Lifestyle // Women's
Out of Office: The Kentucky Derby
Statement-making hats are de rigueur at the Kentucky Derby. This year they came in trendy neons.
Sisters and NM staffers Brooke and Tara Bukosky were off to the races this past weekend. Brooke, who works at NM as a financial analyst, and Tara, who works with the online team, attended the Kentucky Derby for their second year in a row – a family tradition in the making – for a weekend filled with horse racing, big hats, mint juleps, and fashion spectating. Brooke’s bet on “I’ll Have Another” paid off while Tara’s gamble, Bodemeister, came in second. Below, the Bukosky girls describe their Derby Day in their own words.
The day brings other races before the main event.
Mint juleps, the derby's signature drink, are plentiful.
Where To Sleep: The Brown Hotel. Any boutique hotel will be decked to the nines with Derby decorations. Or if you have a friends or family in the area, stay with them and attend a house party like a local.
To Eat: We were guests this year for an “after Derby” dinner at Pat’s Steakhouse. It’s filled with Derby history, and the perfect setting to recap and dish the stories of the day. You must try a slice of Derby Pie! It’s very similar to pecan pie but with more chocolate and bourbon. Then there are bourbon ice cream and bourbon balls – If you can’t tell, they make everything with bourbon, but the ice cream is delicious and the bourbon balls are chocolate covered, yum.
The Lily is another signature cocktail, made with vodka.
To Do: The Bourbon Trail is Louisville’s “Napa Valley.” The Buffalo Trace Distillery is very small and personable. The bourbon is delicious and you get to be right in the action on the bottling and creation, from start to finish, since it’s so small. Woodford Reserve is not as small but still has a “homey” feel for the visit. We did not get to go to Makers Mark but we heard it was much more commercialized.
Brooke and her dad pick their lucky horses.
The Bukosky's view of the track from their box seats.
There are a lot of horse farms in the area that will let you visit with a tour guide. Some of them are as glamorous as Neiman Marcus, with chandeliers and carpets in the barn! Many former Derby horses live at these farms since at the Derby, they only race at age 3. They’re all surrounded with white fences and open plains.
Tara and Brooke with designer Christian Siriano at the Julep Ball.
To See: Churchill Downs for sure, which is attached to the Derby Museum that is packed with history on all the past Derby winners. Also be sure to stop in a hat shop to see the process of making a Derby hat – unreal!
The Twin Spires at Churchill Downs.
To Wear: Derby dresses and a big hat! If you miss the Derby and go during the fall, don’t forget your fashionable riding boots with a great sweater.
Men show no fear of color or pattern at the Kentucky Derby.
Don’t leave the derby without… trying a mint julep of course, but also on Oaks Day, the famous Lily Drink! It’s made with vodka instead of bourbon. Also, don’t leave without making at least one bet at the bidding stalls. It’s such an iconic experience. We won!
