The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved.

There are several sides to the Kentucky Derby. I'd have to say that there are about three.

The best side would be watching the galloping equines from above in the comfort of air-conditioned suites. That's the side that is seen by celebrities the like. The next step down would be the chairs that are arranged like bleachers extending down to the track. Then, there is the side that I saw.

The Infield at Churchill Downs.

I read Hunter S. Thompson's The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved right before I went. 

"Thousands of raving, stumbling drunks, getting angrier and angrier as they lose more and more money. By midafternoon they'll be guzzling mint juleps with both hands and vomitting on each other between races. The whole place will be jammed with bodies, shoulder to shoulder. It's hard to move around. The aisles will be slick with vomit; people falling down and grabbing at your legs to keep from being stomped. Drunks pissing on themselves in the betting lines. Dropping handfuls of money and fighting to stoop over and pick it up."

Thankfully, he exaggerated. The overall inebriation level was through the roof and the heat was close to stifling, but it was glorious. We shared a tent with some Northerners, placed our bets, and spent the day sipping on mint juleps and lilies. When it was time for the race, we made our way to the gate and cheered as the most prestigious horses sped past. Once they were out of sight, each of us floating on a cloud of elation, snaked our way through the crowd to the exit, hand in hand.

"This Kentucky Derby, whatever it is – a race, an emotion, a turbulence, an explosion – is one of the most beautiful and violent and satisfying things I have ever experienced.”

-John Steinbeck