The 2019 Kentucky Derby was a mess at least in Louisville, where it was rainy, resulting in a sloppy track on Saturday, May 4. However, at the Dallas Arboretum it was sunshine for Center for BrainHealth’s 9th Annual Think Ahead Group Derby. However, when the day of grazing on Two Sisters edibles and adult beverages started off at the Camp House, the crowd seemed scant at best.
But as the crowd grew, quarterhorse greeter Ty Cobb had guests lined up for photo opps and the lawn outside the Camp House became a see-and-be-seen scene with gals in adorable sundresses, gents in chinos and cheaters being the accessory du jour.
Nida and Dexter Alviar had originally planned to take in the race at Churchill Downs, but upon learning of the soggy conditions changed their minds and headed to the Arboretum.
When the Run for the Roses got underway, the coolest guests settled into the Camp’s air-conditioned living room to see Maximum Security cross the finish line. However, when the judges stopped Maximum from the winner’s circle, the guests chilled for about 20 minutes only to learn he had been disqualified and longshot Country House had won.
No hard feelings. The party continued even after the main event ended with guests crossing Garland Road for the after party at Smoky Rose, where Dallas mayoral candidate Eric Johnson was having a watch party.
Side note: Country House wasn’t the only winner of the day. It seems that Haynes and Boone attorney Jason Bloom was in Louisville with his brother to attend the race. One of the longshot bets he placed was on Country House at 65-to-1 to win. Not only did Country House become “the second-biggest long shot to ever win the Derby,” but Jason’s $10 bet won $650.
For more photos of the gals and gents, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.