SONYA JENKINS

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11:30 pm – 5/6/2012 What a whirlwind of a weekend it was for me in Louisville, but the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby is HISTORY! My day was so full yesterday (Derby Day) that I didn’t get a chance to blog about my experiences, but it was all good – the weather, the races, the socializing, the hats. I discovered some years ago (with my girlfriends) that the best way to get to the Derby is not by car. It’s easier to catch one of the special, Derby passenger buses that takes you right to the entrance of Churchill Downs. The cost was $20 to get a roundtrip bus ticket to the track from a downtown hotel. I arrived at Churchill Downs mid afternoon to the largest crowd Churchill Downs had ever seen for a Derby – 165,307!

After navigating through the massive crowd a bit, taking pictures and being snapped by photographers everywhere, I decided to head to the Red Carpet area with one of my Derby Diva friends, Penny. We caught up with a few celebs briefly – on their way inside to watch the races – Mary J. Blige, Travis Tritt, Cyndi Lauper, Debra Messing, Cal Ripken, Erin Andrews, along with several other entertainers and athletes. With the temperature feeling like it was close to 100 degrees, chasing down a celeb for a photograph just didn’t seem that appealing to me, so after about 30 minutes of snapping photos, I decided to stand in line for some freshly made lemonade and some kernel popcorn. I had only eaten a light snack before leaving for the Derby (I planned to eat a good meal once I arrived), but the lines at the food vendors were way too long for me. Popcorn and lemonade would have to do. When a guy approached me – telling me that a young lady and I were dressed alike – and asked if he could take a picture of us standing beside each other, I turned around to see the lady in my exact dress!!! We chuckled, greeted one another and took a couple of shots together (see picture below). I hope she got her Calvin Klein dress on sale like I did!! Her hat was cute too – but I bet it wasn’t a Grace Marks design like mine. Smile. Once in the grandstand area, everyone was festive and excited – drinking Mint Juleps – the official drink of the Derby – mixing, mingling and betting on horse races. After chit-chatting with a few attendees, I decided to bet on the 11th race – The Kentucky Derby, dubbed “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.” I had read somewhere that Bodemeister (Horse #6) had a good chance of winning, so I put $5 on a Win for Bodemiester and $5 for a Place on Bodmiester. Yes, I know, I’m a big spender!! LOL.

Right before the race, Mary J. Blige sang the National Anthem and blew the crowd away. I’ve got to do some fact checking, but I think Mary J. Blige may have been one of the first R&B artists to perform the National Anthem at the Kentucky Derby. It was definitely the first time several Derby attendees actually turned to me – inquiring about the soulful songstress!! “What is her name again?” someone asked. “Mary J?”another questioned. “She was awesome!”

The hoopla and energy leading up to the Kentucky Derby race got my adrenaline flowing. Once the race began – and midways through the race – I just knew my horse had won!! I was screaming, “Go, Six! Go, Six!,” with many of the attendees looking on in awe as #6 took strides that definitely put him in the forefront. I was so assured that Bodemeister had won that I slipped out of the stands right before the race ended, so I could be first in line to collect my little WINNING!! But once I got to the wagering windows I was informed that horse # 19, named I’ll Have Another, had won – and not #6!! A bit disappointed, I said, “C’mon, Man,” but I still collected $15 and some change, since Bodemeister came in 2nd. I guess that just goes to show, it’s not how you start the race, but how you finish it!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In all, my 2012 Derby experience was a pleasant one filled with fun times with friends, fanfare, meeting new people, partying and enjoying the races while wearing my Jessica Simpson chapeaux on day one and my Grace Marks chapeaux on day two. Although the horse I bet on came in 2nd, my experience was still a Sure WIN.

 

(Continue reading for the begining of my Derby Blog, including more photos)   SONYA’S DERBY EXPERIENCE  -5/4/2012   3:25pm

I’m finally here! After a slight delay, my flight touched down in Louisville about an hour ago – and I quickly got in a Derby State of Mind!! Since this will be my fifth time attending the Kentucky Derby, I know the ropes a little by now! Below is a picture taken after landing in Louisville. Hostess Mary (to the right) gave Penny & I a Bourbon Ball (official Kentucky Derby candy) once we landed – to start the Derby tradition.

 

  First on my list: I’ll be preparing for The Julep, the fancy soiree held the eve before the Derby – Tonight! I’m especially excited about the Julep because the organization treats members of the press like we’re A-list celebs. There was even a featured article highligting the national press covering the Julep this year and Sonya’s Spotlight made the news y’all!! The article read, “In 2012, some of those media folks on the rope line will be as well known nationally as the celebs they are covering. ” The article then mentioned Sonya’s Spotight and The Tennessee Tribune (where I am national entertainment correspondent). You can check out the article at http://louisville.edu/medschool/national-news-media-coming-to-louisville-for-the-julep-1 I will surely update you about my Derby experiences as the day progresses. For now, I’ve got to navigate my way into town and meet up with my Derby Divas!! Share more with you later!

THE JULEP 

 5/5/2012 – 12:45am Too exhausted to write in detail, but enjoyed the Julep tonight. Got to mix & mingle on the Red Carpet with my girls, Vernell and Penny as well as chat with a few celebs and Louisville dignitaries. Caught up with Star Jones, who shared her success tips with me. “The best piece of advice I’ve ever gotten was to find  something that you love and figure out how to get paid for it,” she said. Check her out in her glitzy, blue dress (below). Well, it’s almost Derby time! Here are just a few pics from The JULEP!! Share more tomorrow!! Need some sleep!

May 5, 20212 – 12:00 am Headed to the Kentucky Derby, although I’m still dragging a bit from the previous night. Churchill Downs, here I come!! Let the HOOPLA begin! Update Later!

This article was featured In The Spotlight June 4, 2012