The warm temperatures only made the crowd at Churchill Downs that much more excited for the “Big Race”.  There were some very exciting photo finishes in the earlier races which added to the build up as we all looked to the Derby.

The crowd roared as Bodemeister and I’ll Have Another hooked up in the stretch on 2012 Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs.  When they hit the wire, the Santa Anita Derby winner, I’ll Have Another was victorious!

The photos on the right were taken from our First Floor Clubhouse box seats.  As you can see, our Kentucky Derby tickets are right in the middle of all the action.

Jockey  Mario Gutierrez had a big smile as he gave a fist pump to the crowd and headed to the winners circle after crossing the finish line first.  Last year, the 25 year old from Veracruz, Mexico watched the Kentucky Derby on television in Canada. “Like all jockeys, we all dream that one day … I would be in the Kentucky Derby,” Gutierrez said. “At the time, I was at Hastings, and of course, like a joke, I had the dream.”

We were at the backside of Churchill Downs this morning when  I’ll Have Another’s owner Paul Reddam to stop by to see how his horse was doing.  He posed for photos with people at the barns.  Trainer Doug O’Neill did interviews and talked to everyone between checking on I’ll Have Another. For more photos and Derby doings see our website at www.kentuckyderbytours.com  We will be adding them soon!