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Telling It Like It Is

posted by Caroline Smith on April 22, 2008 Tags: , , , , , , ,

Currently I am in Omaha, Nebraska. Why Omaha? I like Prime Rib, of course.

Really, I am here for a Sports Event Symposium. An annual symposium created for Sports Commissions and CVBs to continue education and start the business planning stages of sporting events. I have had the opportunity to pick the brains of executives who coordinate the largest market sports spectacles and those who are creating extremely successful events in smaller market cities.

In many introductions, explaining my professional background, comes conversation about Churchill Downs. As soon as I mention the name, everyone has a story to tell. "Hands down, there is no event like the Kentucky Derby," they say. I think to myself, and in my opinion of course, there never has been and never will be an event like it. Granted, the Super Bowl is what it is, however nothing beats the experience of the sport of horse racing. As someone from Kansas City said, "It gets in your blood," as he convicted himself to the sport to a friend, "and you become addicted."

Having worked at the venue during the 3rd largest crowd to ever attend the Kentucky Derby, I learned more about event operations than I could ever imagine. Simply watching the transformation from the moment Street Sense crossed the finish line, to the moment the last trash bin was emptied... It took less than 24 hours to make the entire venue spotless! Now that is an operation! A successfully executed operation!

Other things people like to tell me in Omaha...
Their wagering strategies, the fact they were present for 8 races but only saw the most famous two minutes in sports because the surrounding festivities are so entertaining, the hat she wore last year, the number of years they have attended the infield, the Kentucky Oaks being as much fun as Derby Day, the way they felt about Barbaro, and so much more.

It is neat. I am among the best sports event coordinators, and they all become elated while talking Derby!

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SoCalAl

04/23/2008 10:18 am

Miss Smith,
That was a very nicely written article. I agree with your observation and furthermore would like to add that this is the only sport whereby you get goose bumps as some of these phenomenal athletes cross the wire. To see a Point Given, an Afleet Alex, a Giacomo, a Street Sense, a Thunder Gulch and yes a Charasmatic and a Barbaro are all part of a sport in which the athlete(s) horse and jockey truly risk their life with each and every race. That in itself is a sport where every move has to be calculated just right or the outcome can be devastating. It's not like jockeys can wear a seat belt and helmet and the horse can be repaired by the pit crew. This is the real deal, the only and true gladiator sport left in the world.. The Sport of Kings it what it is..
Thank you for you hard work in reporting it...

SoCalal

barryrmitchell

04/23/2008 12:41 pm

Nice article Caroline,

Let's talk about kids which support the operations work as volunteers or salaried?

I remember sitting in the grandstands taking in the moments and it was raining profusely. One hour after the Kentucky Derby. Here comes these kids all bright eyed and willing to work their little hearts off, cleaning the grandstand. Every last one of them were below the age of 15 at least. Talk about a crew. The team work with minimum supervision. Within two hours the grandstand was completely clean and prepared for the next day events.

Each year, these kids are the true champs preparing the operations for the greatest sport event during the year. This is a side the racing fans never witness. The operations which paints a master piece of artwork.

brie-1877

04/23/2008 12:46 pm

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jharvat

04/24/2008 11:27 am

Caroline,
Interesting article and welcome to Omaha! You may already be gone by the time I have posted this, but if you want good steak/prime rib, I have a few suggestions for you: Omaha Prime in the Old Market, Sullivans dowtown, Anthony's on 72nd (right off interstate) and the Drover further north on 72nd (their Whiskey Steak and Whiskey Prime Rib are both fantastic. Also, if you feel like wagering on horses we have our simulcast facility at Horsemens Park on approx 68th & Q. Take care.