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You are here: Home / Balloon Juice / Readership Capture / Making bets on Kentucky Derby Day

Making bets on Kentucky Derby Day

by DougJ|  May 5, 201212:14 pm| 157 Comments

This post is in: Readership Capture, Sports

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Who’s going to win? I know nothing about horse racing, but I enjoyed the Seabiscuit book.

Are there songs that mention the Kentucky Derby besides Dead Flowers (EDIT: Awesome, right?) and that awful Dan Fogelberg one, “Run For The Roses” or something?

Most importantly…what’s the best way to make mint juleps? My philosophy: use mint simple syrup AND then muddle fresh mint as well, for a double dose. And use a cheapish bourbon, a good one will have too much flavor and hide the mint.

Is anyone putting on a Kentucky Derby outfit? I picked this up a few months ago (yes, I’m very cheap).

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Reader Interactions

157Comments

  1. 1.

    Joey Maloney

    May 5, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    Who’s going to win? One of the horses, probably.

  2. 2.

    Jeanisdead

    May 5, 2012 at 12:17 pm

    Sandy Denny’s “I’m A Dreamer” (also recorded by Richard and Linda Thompson):

    “I put a bet on with a bookie / For the race they put on over in Kentucky”

  3. 3.

    Villago Delenda Est

    May 5, 2012 at 12:18 pm

    Secretariat will win. Secretariat ALWAYS wins.

  4. 4.

    Nylund

    May 5, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    Don’t ask me, I’ll be in my basement room with a needle and a spoon and another girl to take my pain away.

  5. 5.

    PhoenixRising

    May 5, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    Whatever Calvin Borel is riding.

  6. 6.

    gbear

    May 5, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    There’s a Sandy Denny song that mentions a ‘horse race in Kentucky’. I think it’s ‘I’m A Dreamer” but I need to go check.

    Edit: Found it:

    “I put a bet on with a bookie
    For the race they put on over in Kentucky…”
    — Sandy Denny, “I’m a Dreamer”

  7. 7.

    khead

    May 5, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    I hope you found a pair of Griswolds to wear with that fine suit.

  8. 8.

    J.W. Hamner

    May 5, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    Seersucker is the only way to go.

  9. 9.

    jharp

    May 5, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    Does anyone know where to see past racing results or a racing form?

    The Daily Racing Form is impossible to find and view without a subscription and I refuse to buy one.

  10. 10.

    Violet

    May 5, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    Most importantly…what’s the best way to make mint juleps?

    The best way to make a mint julep is to make a gin and tonic instead.

  11. 11.

    schrodinger's cat

    May 5, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    @Violet: Hear, hear, another vote for gin and tonic, I like gin with lime too. I also prefer martinis with gin. What gin do you use? I prefer Beef eaters or Bombay Sapphire.

  12. 12.

    Cheap Jim

    May 5, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    Feetlebaum.

  13. 13.

    Jewish Steel

    May 5, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    You should probably read this, if you haven’t before.

    http://www.ralphsteadman.com/KYDerby.asp

  14. 14.

    Omnes Omnibus

    May 5, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    @Nylund: How odd. I am just sitting back in my rose pink Cadillac.

  15. 15.

    MikeJ

    May 5, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    @Nylund: I know you think you’re the queen of the underground.

  16. 16.

    schrodinger's cat

    May 5, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Didn’t know that you worked for Mary Kay or is that Avon?

  17. 17.

    Yutsano

    May 5, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat: Mary Kay gives out the pink Caddies. I forget what Avon’s top selling perk is.

  18. 18.

    Julia Grey

    May 5, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    There was a link on that page to a deeply serious discussion of the size and formation of the knot on the tie Ryan Gosling was wearing on the cover of GQ.

    I actually learned something. I’m a fashion geek myself, and can easily get that far into the weeds regarding women’s clothes, but I guess I didn’t realize that there was that much to talk about regarding men’s fashion.

    I guess I thought (to the extent that I thought about it, which clearly I didn’t) that for men it was just more or less: “wide or narrow lapels? wide or skinny ties? flat front or pleated pants?” The End. Okay, yeah, there obviously were slicker or grungier versions available of this season’s basic male uniforms, and GQ and Esquire etc. showed the different varieties, but hey, arcana like how wide the knot of your tie was in relation to your lapels never crossed my mind.

  19. 19.

    Julia Grey

    May 5, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    Oh, and it was very cool that Gosling’s eyes were exactly the same color as the tie.

  20. 20.

    Waco Johnnie Dean

    May 5, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    I seen the Brooklyn Dodgers playing at Ebbets Field
    Seen the Kentucky Derby too
    It’s fast women, slow horses, unreliable sources,
    And I’m holding up the lamp-post if you want to know

    Tom Waits, Jitterbug Boy

  21. 21.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Can’t stand horse racing. My sister the want-to-be vet is not a fan either.

    But for you brief but cute viewing pleasure, POTUS arriving in Ohio a few hours ago. He was disembarking from AF1, but wait, he forgot someone and had to go back..

    http://youtu.be/Vss6WI3-MAk

    BTW, I didn’t realize that I could livestream from my IPAD. Or is that just the cutting-edge tech used by OfA. I don’t think I’ve always been able to livestream CNN or whatnot.

  22. 22.

    DougJ, Head of Infidelity

    May 5, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    @Julia Grey:

    It’s a good site, they get pretty deep into the weeds. I like it because they talk about how things fit, which (weirdly) gets neglected in men’s fashion. Most men don’t even have their jackets tailored or figure out which fit of pants suits them best.

  23. 23.

    MikeJ

    May 5, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    Other derby songs? Gurl from Kentucky by Afroman:

    Sip that dank, smoke that herbie
    Ride that ass like the Kentucky Derby

    Also, I’m in the Hood by Li’l Wayne. And Rod Stewart, “Dancin’ Alone.”

  24. 24.

    BGinCHI

    May 5, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    Bought a nice seersucker sport coat last summer for warm-weather weddings. It’s nice and light and looks great with jeans. Couldn’t do the jacket-pants combo all in seersucker. There are limits.

  25. 25.

    Violet

    May 5, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    @schrodinger’s cat:
    I like Bombay Sapphire, but I’ll use pretty much any reasonable gin. I adore the flavor of tonic water and always, always go with lime, not lemon. Lime is much more refreshing somehow.

  26. 26.

    Elmo

    May 5, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    @Violet:

    Another vote here for sapphire and fresh limes. Mmmmmmm. Mint is disgusting, it’s like trying to make a cocktail out of toothpaste.

  27. 27.

    Provider_UNE

    May 5, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    @Violet:

    The best way to make a mint julep is to make a gin and tonic instead.

    I will admit to larfing out loud at this one.

    And Doug, thanks for reminding me that I need to go on a liquor run. And thanks Violet for reminding me that I should also pick up some tonic water.

    I think by the time it is 5 o clock in Greenland, I will enjoy a nice pre birthday weekend Vodka Tonic.
    .

  28. 28.

    Provider_UNE

    May 5, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    I also have 2 lemons and 2 limes…i think I shall mix it up. I am also thinking that I’ll get started when it is 5 o clock in Iceland, which means that i might need to leave soon.
    :)
    .

  29. 29.

    Jewish Steel

    May 5, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    @BGinCHI: This is what stands between you and becoming Tom Wolfe.

  30. 30.

    bcinaz

    May 5, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    @jharp: drf.com. You can join free, however it costs $2.95 to download the 11th race at CD.

  31. 31.

    dr. bloor

    May 5, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    Not surprisingly, Hunter Thompson got to the crux of the Derby decades ago.

    Where have you gone, Hunter, our nation turns its desperate eyes to you.

  32. 32.

    bcinaz

    May 5, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    Who’s going to win. Unless they load him into the gate backwards, Bodemeister should win, however it’s the Derby and really anything can happen

  33. 33.

    Wyrm1

    May 5, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    @jharp:

    http://www.twinspires.com/content/derby2012menu?utm_source=ts&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews_5_5

    Scroll down a little bit for the free Brisnet Past performances.
    I like Creative Cause myself….

  34. 34.

    Steeplejack

    May 5, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    @DougJ, Head of Infidelity:

    I think the percentage of men who are basically dressed by their women is frighteningly high.

  35. 35.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    Michelle Obama speaking now. The idea that Ann Romney connects with voters better than Michelle Obama is ludicrous!

  36. 36.

    Violet

    May 5, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    @Elmo:
    I really like mojitos, so I’m not against mint in a cocktail. Note that mojitos also have plenty of lime juice.

    @Provider_UNE: A vodka tonic is also delicious. I just prefer the classic with gin.

  37. 37.

    dr. bloor

    May 5, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    Most importantly…what’s the best way to make mint juleps? My philosophy: use mint simple syrup AND then muddle fresh mint as well, for a double dose. And use a cheapish bourbon, a good one will have too much flavor and hide the mint.

    Another reason to watch Maddow–she basically taught every DFH in America how to make one on her show last night. She also (correctly) pointed out that most folks would hate a properly made Julep, and suggested Stingers as an alternative.

  38. 38.

    Awktalk

    May 5, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    I’ve got:

    6 – Bodemeister
    8 – Creative Cause
    14 – Hansen
    19 – I’ll Have Another

    Exacta and Trifecta box. I think Hansen takes it.

  39. 39.

    David Koch

    May 5, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    Michelle Obama is killin it, right now on MSNBC/CNN

  40. 40.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    @David Koch: She ain’t called the closer for nothing.

    Ann…who?

  41. 41.

    Elizabelle

    May 5, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    I’m liking that Michelle is speaking of values and opportunity. The GOP has fallen down on both.

    Also that serious warning that winning might come down to registering that one extra voter. Asking supporters to give a little time each week.

  42. 42.

    David Koch

    May 5, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    15,000 at the obama rally in Ohio

  43. 43.

    Rosalita

    May 5, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    @dr. bloor: I LOVE stingers. And boy did I get stung the first time I had one, or three…

  44. 44.

    Elizabelle

    May 5, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    I’m hoping for Union Rags.

    Like a Michael Matz horse (Barbaro’s trainer). Matz is a class act.

    FYI: Calvin Borel is on Take Charge Indy today.

    http://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses

  45. 45.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    The age, gender and racial diversity of Obama’s rally stands in stark comparison to Robmey’s don’t it!

  46. 46.

    Jewish Steel

    May 5, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    @David Koch: So, this is about 15K too, right?

  47. 47.

    bk

    May 5, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    @jharp: You can download past performances for the Derby for free via Brisnet. You can probably find a link on espn.com

  48. 48.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    PBO: we will win this the old fashioned way, door by door, block by block…..

  49. 49.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    POTUS: America only prospers when we meet the obligations to one another and future generations. Our country has moved away from those promises. Talks about Wall Street, filthy rich doing better, jobs moving overseas while middle class struggling.

  50. 50.

    Southern Beale

    May 5, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    We got invited to a Derby part up in Kentucky today but we aren’t going. I used to get into it but honestly, ever since they had to put that one horse down? I can’t watch it anymore.

  51. 51.

    Elizabelle

    May 5, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    This is a make or break moment for the middle class.

    True that.

  52. 52.

    BGinCHI

    May 5, 2012 at 1:29 pm

    @Jewish Steel: That and a modest ego.

  53. 53.

    David Koch

    May 5, 2012 at 1:29 pm

    crowd is going crazy

  54. 54.

    Provider_UNE

    May 5, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    @Violet:

    A vodka tonic is also delicious. I just prefer the classic with gin.

    I have just been in a vodka frame of mind lately, but once again want to thank you for reminding me about the tonic part of the equasion. After all it is that time of year, and while I have been enjoying some wicked fine bloddy mary’s lately it is time for some fizz quinine and lime though i might mix it up a bit.

    Now to check the time in Iceland.
    .:)
    .

  55. 55.

    Punchy

    May 5, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    Had mint juleps last year, with our giant straw hats and such. Race was great, but juleps were horrible. Ass in a glass bad. Dont believe the hype, yo.

  56. 56.

    David Koch

    May 5, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    “corporations aren’t people – people are people”

    BOO-YAH!

  57. 57.

    Jewish Steel

    May 5, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    @David Koch: The One, again. Just a celebrity. What does he think this is, a popularity contest? For pete’s sake?

  58. 58.

    Brachiator

    May 5, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    @Violet:

    The best way to make a mint julep is to make a gin and tonic instead.

    oh, yes! And agree about Bombay Sapphire as the gin of choice.

    Vodka and tonic is quite nice, as well, but here almost any non flavored Vodka will do.

  59. 59.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Compliments Mitt Romney – ran a company, ran a state. But he still doesn’t get it. Still thinks if CEO’s like him make it then the rest of us will succeed. Thinks the same bad ideas will lead to a different result OR that we won’t remember what happened when they tried it.

    ‘Ohio, we remember and we won’t be going back. We are going FORWARD’

  60. 60.

    Face

    May 5, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    @Punchy: But what does Sully think of mint juleps?

  61. 61.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    To anyone who haven’t already seen the Avengers movie make sure you stay after the COMPLETE credit sequence. There a little something extra for ya’ll.

  62. 62.

    Elizabelle

    May 5, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    You guys are going to make me go out and get some Bombay Sapphire, aren’t you?

    Usually a Tanqueray drinker, but change can be good.

  63. 63.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    PBO: “Republicans in Congress have found a nominee for president who’s promised to rubber-stamp this agenda if he gets the chance.”

  64. 64.

    danielx

    May 5, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    Derby story…way back in the dark ages, I drove down to spend Derby weekend with a friend of mine who lived in Louisville at the time. We stayed up late Friday night and went to the Derby next day with another friend of hers. Naturally the two women packed the cooler with yours truly having to carry the sonofabitch, which weighed about 500 pounds…while suffering a near terminal hangover.

    So we’re going to the infield, which means I have to stop and have my cooler inspected by this Kentucky state trooper who’s about the size of Rhode Island while my cohorts proceed through the tunnel. You can drink all you want at the Derby, but you have to buy it there.

    I get up the cooler, struggle through this tunnel and come up into the light, which blinds me for a second. Then my sight returns and the first thing that meets my eyes is an absolutely gorgeous southern belle. She done looked like the model on the cover of a magazine. Strawberry blonde, wearing the white crinoline dress, the big hat…the whole nine yards, as it were, and I think, my day has been made, right here – this is the fuckin’ Kentucky Derby. I look down for a second to get a better grip on the cooler, look up again and my vision of southern loveliness…is swilling from a bottle of Beefeater gin. At ten o’clock in the morning.

    The illusion of southern gentility, right down the drain. But hey, I won a hundred bucks and the band playing that night was Little Feat with Lowell George big as life, so it was all good.

  65. 65.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    @David Koch: that was a good line. Like I said, cut like a knife with a thousand little cuts leading to a slow tortous bleed.

  66. 66.

    Valdivia

    May 5, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    totally OT but Obama’s speech to set off the election is great. He stuck the shiv in against Romney in a very inspirational way, boxing him in I think.

  67. 67.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    WOW!

    Box office update: ‘The Avengers’ posts second-best opening day ever with $80.5 mil; ‘Potter’ weekend record in jeopardy

  68. 68.

    David Koch

    May 5, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    “my opponent will end Medicare as we know it”

    obambi is hitting mittens with every hammer in the tool chest. I half expect a drone is takin out mitten’s headquarters as we type.

  69. 69.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    @Valdivia: Yep, so far, it’s both inspirational and optimistic (unlike Robmey’s doom and gloom blame Obama), but he definitely ain’t playing with ole Mitt (“Corporation aren’t people, PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE” BOOM!).

    If ya missing/missed it ya really missing out.

  70. 70.

    JaB

    May 5, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Best Derby song ever- Tim Krekel’s “Here Ever After”. Written by a local, so there’s not a false note. If you’re a Louisvillian, you know what I’m talking about.

  71. 71.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    PBO: “I refuse to pay for another tax cut by kicking children out of Head Start programs; or asking students to pay more for college”

  72. 72.

    David Koch

    May 5, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    and the crowd goes crazy

    “4-MORE-YEARS!”

    “4-MORE-YEARS!”

    “4-MORE-YEARS!”

    “4-MORE-YEARS!”

  73. 73.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    PBO: “I will never allow Medicare to be turned into a voucher that would end the program as we know it”…

    BOOM, SLAP Paul Ryan. POTUS introducing Ryan to the 5 finger hello!

  74. 74.

    Nicole

    May 5, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    @jharp: You can buy just the card, but they may be offering the PPs free for te Derby. DRF.com. I don’t have a subscription.

  75. 75.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    @lamh35: @Valdivia: Hmm wonder how Robmey feels about their “bracketing” strategy now!

    I can guess the response. “…Obama…divider…war on rich…”

  76. 76.

    Elizabelle

    May 5, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    Will be interesting to see the 4:40ish VCU/Richmond speech.

    Will it be the same?

    Are there more rhetorical weapons aboard?

    (Virginia’s GOP foisted a mandatory pre-abortion ultrasound on women, having been forced to give up their transvaginal dream.)

  77. 77.

    Valdivia

    May 5, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    @lamh35:

    I also like that he is making the case for himself, repeatedly saying this is why I am running for President.
    Enumerating the things he has done as a jumping board for the future. But he does it without sounding stodgy.

    RMoney never does that. Can’t do that. And I loved the Obama line about Romney answering with economic theories.

  78. 78.

    Elizabelle

    May 5, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    I hope we see voter registration picking up so much even the media has to recognize it.

  79. 79.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    PBO: “We are fighting for a BOLD America, A COMPETITIVE America, A GENEROUS America” – that’s why I’m running – crowd cheers 4 MORE YEARS 4 MORE YEARS

  80. 80.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    @Elizabelle: I suspcet Virgina will include some “War on Women” rhetoric. He tends to shape his speeches to each venue if he can.

  81. 81.

    bemused

    May 5, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    @Valdivia:

    The crowd was definitely fired up. I can’t imagine Mitt getting anything close to a reception like that.

  82. 82.

    Nicole

    May 5, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    With speedster Trinniberg in the race (he can’t win) it may compromise Bodemeister, Hansen, Take Charge Indy, who all run best on the front. A lot of handicappers are predicting a fast pace and are looking at the closers- Dullahan, El Padrino, Sabercat and a few others.

    It’s a really evenly matched field; thee are at least ten with a legit chance.

    But early reports are that the rain last night tightened the track, so speed is holding up better now than on a deeper track. Might help Hansen stay up there for a piece at the end.

    I’m still using Dullahan and Daddy Nose Best on my tickets.

  83. 83.

    Dee Loralei

    May 5, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    Sounds like the President is kickin’ ass and taking names. Thanks y’all who are transcribing it. I’ll watch it later.

    I don’t really like mint juleps. So last year I made a mint and lemon simple syrup. Bunch of macerated mint 1/2 sugar 1/4 water 1/4 lemon juice. Bunch of crushed ice in a glass, 1/2 shot of Honey Jack Daniels, 1 shot of bourbon 1 shot of lemon syrup fill rest of glass with soda water. Top with a sprig of mint and a couple slices of fresh jalapeno and another squirt of lemon juice. Refreshing, boozy, light tasting and has a kick. Folks were smacking their lips asking for more.

  84. 84.

    jurassicpork

    May 5, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    What if Fox News Had Been Around Throughout History?

  85. 85.

    J. Michael Neal

    May 5, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    @lamh35: I am a god and I will not be bullied by . . .

  86. 86.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    @J. Michael Neal: I’m invisioning that scene as I read. Biggest laugh line in the film of which there were a great number anyway.

  87. 87.

    Valdivia

    May 5, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    Speaking of Gin–I love Bombay Saphire. I once tried, mayne years ago, a West Coast produced gin called Junipero. Pricey but so so worth it. Nicely spiced.

  88. 88.

    arguingwithsignposts

    May 5, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    @David Koch:

    “my opponent will end Medicare as we know it”

    I think I heard the cries of rage from Politifake all the way out here in flyover land.

  89. 89.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    Rally ends with Bruce Springsteen, “We Take Care of Our Own.”

  90. 90.

    Brachiator

    May 5, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    You guys are going to make me go out and get some Bombay Sapphire, aren’t you?

    Yes. If gin appeals to you, it is definitely worth a try.

  91. 91.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Dick Halperins has a sad:

    “Halperin’s Take
    There are a lot of variables that will go towards determining who wins in November. If candidate skills, spouse skills, a clear message, and emotion matter — and they do — some of the Democrats’ biggest advantages were on display Saturday. Team Romney has some major catching up to do.”

  92. 92.

    rdldot

    May 5, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    @Elizabelle: I’m leaving right now. Love Gin and Tonic in the summertime!

  93. 93.

    Culture of Truth

    May 5, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    That speech was awesome

  94. 94.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    Roger Simon at politico: “Obama announcement speech 4 years ago was sweeping, elegant and grand. Today’s was fiery, dramatic and determined”!!!

  95. 95.

    Valdivia

    May 5, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    @lamh35:

    ha ha ha.

    catching up is not something they can do with the MittBot’s programming.

  96. 96.

    MikeJ

    May 5, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Sweet FA (cup)!

  97. 97.

    Brachiator

    May 5, 2012 at 2:21 pm

    @lamh35:

    Box office update: ‘The Avengers’ posts second-best opening day ever with $80.5 mil; ‘Potter’ weekend record in jeopardy

    Very impressive even if you adjust for inflation and the extortion higher 3D ticket prices. But the movie was already kicking butt overseas, already clocking in close to $200 million. Domestic box office success was a pretty safe bet.

    To anyone who haven’t already seen the Avengers movie make sure you stay after the COMPLETE credit sequence. There a little something extra for ya’ll.

    Yep.

  98. 98.

    arguingwithsignposts

    May 5, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    @Brachiator: One wonders how long that record will last?

  99. 99.

    NCSteve

    May 5, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Speaking as a native Kentuckian (and as someone who’ll be posting here more now that Josh Marshall has decided to flush the TPM commenting community down the Facebook crapper), let me say that the proper recipe for making a mint julep is not “make a gin & tonic instead.”

    Rather, first you have to get yourself a really excellent bourbon. None of that Tennessee swill, real bourbon. The great thing about bourbon is that, unlike scotch or brandy, the very best will never cost you as much as 50 bucks. Elijah Craig 18 year old single barrel is my absolute favorite. Woodford Reserve was a very trendy thing a year or three ago and it is excellent. The Jim Beam distillery is putting out some supurb bourbons under the Booker and Basil Haddon (of “Deadwood” fame) labels and its 8 year old Black Label is amazingly good, especially for the price.

    So get yourself your top notch bourbon, a highball glass and a muddler, some nice fresh mint, some confectioner’s sugar, and some good mixer–lemon-lime soda or quality ginger ale and a lot of good ice–cubes not crushed.

    Now, fill the glass with ice, pour a jigger of bourbon over it, fill the glass to the top with your mixer and stir. Put the muddler in the kitchen gadget drawer, the confectioner’s sugar in the pantry, get some good rum and use the mint to make Cinco de Mayo mohitos for the barbarians who don’t like bourbon. But for god’s sake, keep the mint and the sugar out of the bourbon, because dear lordie lord, even the best mint julep ever made tastes like Tic-tac infused dog vomit.

  100. 100.

    Susan

    May 5, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    My husband and daughter (both vets) hate horse racing.

    Really hate it.

    Dog racing too!

  101. 101.

    J. Michael Neal

    May 5, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    @Brachiator: It was a fun, fun movie. Superhero movies don’t have to insult my intelligence, but so many of them do. (Iron Man 2, I’m looking at you.) The Avengers avoids it and has lots of great stuff.

    I only have two complaints. One is kind of spoilerish, so I won’t go into it. The other is that Chris Hemsworth simply doesn’t belong on the screen with the rest of that cast. He is by far the weakest link in it, and the gap between him and the next weakest (Scarlett Johanssen for my money) is bigger than the gap between her and the best.

  102. 102.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    Reason #10,000,000,000,0001 to hate Kentucky Derby, peple like R-Money love it, that’s where he supposed to be BTW while the 8 people from the campaign are “bracketing” POTUS in Ohio and Virginia.

  103. 103.

    NCSteve

    May 5, 2012 at 2:34 pm

    @lamh35: Ever since I found out Joss Whedon directed and co-wrote it, I’ve been looking forward to this ultimate nerdgasm even more than before. And it’s killing me I’ve got a hacking case of bronchitis and too much socialization to take it to a crowded movie theater. But so it goes. A teething baby with colic would be less distracting for the other movie viewers that me right now.

  104. 104.

    Valdivia

    May 5, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    @lamh35:

    any actual reports on that bracketing bs?

    I thought they were going to have people actually trying to make the rally a failure no?

    and also: thanks for all the updates.

  105. 105.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    @NCSteve: plus it’s like 2 1/2 hours long. unless you can hold off your cough for that long, it would be torture for you. Maybe try an early matinee? Althought, the 12:20 matinee I went to was 3/4 full so…

  106. 106.

    Hill Dweller

    May 5, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    @Susan: I’m not a vet, but I hate both “sports”, as well.

  107. 107.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    @Valdivia: I’m not sure. I did see pictures of the “robmey bus” and I heard that that showed some footage from the “call bank” but it was like 8 people at the back of the bus…so who knows.

  108. 108.

    Davis X. Machina

    May 5, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    @Elizabelle: Wanting to register, and being able to register, are two different things, and by design.

  109. 109.

    Valdivia

    May 5, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    @lamh35:

    I really think these people are insane thinking this will a) get under the Obama campaign’s skin or
    b) actually derail those events

  110. 110.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    I know, I know enough with the “hero worship”, but putting that aside a moment, I really do love the Obama’s as a couple.

    As the end of the Ohio speech, Michelle of course was there and lotsa hugging ensued.

    It kinda reminded me of a prizefighter after winning or losing a match and the people in his corner engulfs him at the end.

    http://youtu.be/3oaXDeQTEPQ

  111. 111.

    Anoniminous

    May 5, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    For the Derby I would say Glen Plaid is the way to go.

    With a fedora and matching umbrella! (Scrag the goofy grin unless you’re in the running for Twit of the Year Award.)

  112. 112.

    Davis X. Machina

    May 5, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    How many times did Obama mention the public option? Huh? Huh?

    I’m staying home in November. Screw ‘Forwards!’ — it’s Nach Romney, Wir!

  113. 113.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    @Davis X. Machina: I’ve read somewhere and I’ve heard from people I know who volunteer for OfA and I know they are aware of the voter suppressions stuff and they are on it and trying to get ahead of it.

  114. 114.

    PigInZen

    May 5, 2012 at 2:51 pm

    Dullahan
    Union Rags
    Gemologist

    plus a side hedge on Bodemeister to straight win. I’m weird.

  115. 115.

    Baud

    May 5, 2012 at 2:53 pm

    @Valdivia:

    RMoney never does that. Can’t do that.

    Sure he can. He should be president because it’s his turn.

  116. 116.

    Valdivia

    May 5, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    @lamh35:

    I love them, love seeing them together.

  117. 117.

    Davis X. Machina

    May 5, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    @lamh35: One hopes. Kay mentions the efforts in Ohio, and thinks highly of them, but it’s a hard, long slog.

  118. 118.

    Elizabelle

    May 5, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    I’m wondering if the media has been warming up its “Oh noes! Obama’s not as popular among the young and among blacks” theme now to help hide the effects of voter suppression.

    No question the GOP is trying to make it harder for the young.

  119. 119.

    cdmarine

    May 5, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    The secret to amazing mint juleps is to caramelize the simple syrup. Seriously. It gives the whole thing a smooth, nutty flavor that is out of this world. We’ve got a batch on the stove right now.

  120. 120.

    Davis X. Machina

    May 5, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    Portland (ME) Press Herald:

    Ron Paul supporters succesfully take over GOP convention.
    __
    Paul’s supporters stormed the GOP convention in Augusta today, and successfully elected their people as chairman and secretary.

    They may take the majority of the delegates.

    Much Collins stupidity in the rest of the piece. Since you’re all drinking heavily, there’s probably no real harm done by clicking through.

  121. 121.

    Steeplejack

    May 5, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    @DougJ:

    Seems like an appropriate time to trot out one of your (and my) favorite tropes: Cedric the Entertainer on horse racing.

  122. 122.

    Baud

    May 5, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    @Davis X. Machina: One thing that hit home for me with this year’s GOP primary is just how few people it takes to make a difference in an election.

  123. 123.

    Elizabelle

    May 5, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    @lamh35:

    Here’s a NYTimes story from earlier this week.

    Field workers for President Obama’s campaign fanned out across the country over the weekend in an effort to confront a barrage of new voter identification laws that strategists say threaten the campaign’s hopes for registering new voters ahead of the November election.

  124. 124.

    cdmarine

    May 5, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    BTW, I also thought mint juleps all tasted like ass until we started making them with the caramelized syrup. Mint juleps without caramelized syrup = ass. Mint juleps with caramelized syrup = nectar.

  125. 125.

    AlanDean

    May 5, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    The best way to make a mint julip is to take real peppermint leaves, muddle (partially crush) them in the bottom of a tall glass, add ice and then dump the contents out and put the glass in the dishwasher. Grab a small old-fashioned glass and fill it partway with Booker and enjoy the race.

  126. 126.

    Davis X. Machina

    May 5, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    @Baud: 14 Paul votes tipped the organizing of the Maine convention, which should tip the delegate selection, which should lead to a circus in Tampa, since this is happening in a number of states.

    Romney people too busy to go themselves should have just sent the help, but that would mean not only giving them the day off, but also springing for gas money and a box lunch.

  127. 127.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Anyone think it’s funny after almost being called out as Thruston Howell that Robmey’s gonna be at the Kentucky Derby and ya know him and Miss Ann ain’t gonna be in the cheap seats with the peasants. Wonder if Ann and Mitt are gonna discuss horse dressage.

  128. 128.

    Anoniminous

    May 5, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    @Davis X. Machina:

    Diary up at Teh Orange Place of GOP tweets from the Convention floor and observers.

  129. 129.

    Brachiator

    May 5, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    @arguingwithsignposts: One wonders how long that record will last?

    None of these records are particularly meaningful. It’s kinda like “best Wednesday non holiday overcast sky opening.” There were a lot of weekend screenings. It reminds me of how the studios would not let some theaters get movies on the opening weekend to ensure long lines in Hollywood, Westwood and prestige theaters in other US cities.

    @J. Michael Neal:

    It was a fun, fun movie. Superhero movies don’t have to insult my intelligence, but so many of them do. (Iron Man 2, I’m looking at you.) The Avengers avoids it and has lots of great stuff.

    Agree that the movie was big fun, with some reservations. I noted more, and tried to avoid spoilers, in Zandar’s thread about all the fun stuff opening on May 5.

    I only have two complaints. One is kind of spoilerish, so I won’t go into it. The other is that Chris Hemsworth simply doesn’t belong on the screen with the rest of that cast. He is by far the weakest link in it, and the gap between him and the next weakest (Scarlett Johanssen for my money) is bigger than the gap between her and the best

    I never saw Thor and although I agree that Hemsworth is a weak link, it would be hard to reduce the character’s role in an Avengers movie.

    I also agree that it was a bad choice to ask Scarlett Johansson to handle the major straight acting duties. I would have liked to have seen more of Mark Ruffalo’s non Hulk Banner, and would have liked seeing him collaborate more with Tony Stark. In a way, the movie reminded me of one of the background problems with “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” There had been long, drawn out contractual battles behind the scenes about how much screen time famous cartoon characters would get in their various cameos. Since various Avengers characters are stars in their own movies, I sometimes got a feeling that a couple of sequences were designed to make sure a character got some screen time, even though the sequence really didn’t have much to do with the story itself.

    Nick Fury’s female assistant, the woman from “How I Met Your Mother,” didn’t really have anything to do and I don’t think has much screen presence, even though she is a good actor.

    But this is minor stuff that won’t keep most people from enjoying the movie. And overall I think that Joss Wheedon did a great job handling a big action movie, and even injecting a little heart into it.

  130. 130.

    var

    May 5, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    if it means anything, dullahan is owned by (mostly) Iowa Dems. I have a friend in the group.

  131. 131.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    May 5, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    @lamh35: OT, how is your mom? Can she take advantage of some NAMI programs? I do NAMI in the Cinti area FLSgreen at gmail, if you’d like more infomation.

    In the race, I like Creative Cause for the pedigree. Union Rags is my sentimental choice to place – I don’t like his breeding but know and like his trainer. Take Charge Indy to show; line bred to Secratariat, with some nice Canadian, French and British blood on the dam side, with only one instance of a sire I think provides speed without soundness. And I’m not dressing (in a race dress/hat, that is).

  132. 132.

    Brachiator

    May 5, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Crap. Editor didn’t work for my earlier post. Could not fix some of the block quotes. Sorry for any confusion caused.

  133. 133.

    Davis X. Machina

    May 5, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    @Anoniminous: I wish them joy of it. I’ve been eyewitness to several Dem train-wrecks over the years, the 2006 one over Kucinich’s Department of Peace proposal in particular sticks in the mind.

    Anywhoo, we’ve got our own soap opera complete with restraining orders….

  134. 134.

    Nicole

    May 5, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    @PigInZen: That’s not weird at all. If Bodemeister really is that much faster than the rest of the field, he’ll win. If he’s not, he’ll get tired chasing Trinniberg and (I think, anyway) finish out of the money.

    Of course, I’ve been great at picking to win the horse that runs 16th, so take my guess with a drop of bourbon. ;)

  135. 135.

    Anoniminous

    May 5, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    @Davis X. Machina:

    Local and state politics is nursery school recess time albeit lacking the mature levels of social interaction that implies.

  136. 136.

    Villago Delenda Est

    May 5, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    @Davis X. Machina:

    Um, I think you mean “Nach Romney, uns.”

  137. 137.

    Davis X. Machina

    May 5, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est: Subject, or object, of the implied verb? Grammatici certunt, et sub iudici lis est.

  138. 138.

    General Stuck

    May 5, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    OT

    Family values wingnut style http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/05/alabama_politician_obsessed_with_donating_sperm.html

    Alabama Politician Obsessed with Donating Sperm

    Bill Johnson (R), the anti-gay candidate for Alabama governor that admitted to donating sperm to lesbian couples, has left his wife and family “to be with babies he secretly conceived as a sperm donor in New Zealand,” the Birmingham News reports.

  139. 139.

    Baud

    May 5, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    @Davis X. Machina: I think Romney will end up regretting hiring Mark Penn to run his campaign.

  140. 140.

    J.

    May 5, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    Re the Kentucky Derby, Daddy Nose Best by a nose, followed by a Rousing Sermon, then I’ll Have Another.

    And forget about mint juleps, what you want is a Sauza-rita margarita… (trust me, I’m a professional).

  141. 141.

    Steeplejack

    May 5, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    Approximately what time for the actual race? I hate the endless hoopla.

  142. 142.

    Villago Delenda Est

    May 5, 2012 at 3:42 pm

    @Davis X. Machina:

    Object of the implied verb. The original, by equally idiotic Communists, was “Nach Hitler, uns”. For example, “After Obama, we” would not work, but “After Obama, us” does. Same thing in German.

  143. 143.

    Jesse

    May 5, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    Does anyone else get the impression that this year there’s way more interest in the Kentucky Derby than usual? My dad called me to say that he was making a bet on a horse this year, but he never made a bet before. People who normally couldn’t give two shits about horse racing are suddenly showing up talking about the race. What gives?

  144. 144.

    Baud

    May 5, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    @Jesse: Same thought here. And everyone’s talking about mint juleps also. I smell a propaganda initiative.

  145. 145.

    Janefromhell

    May 5, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    @Julia Grey: Read ‘American Psycho’ if you haven’t.

  146. 146.

    Brian R.

    May 5, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    @Jesse:

    People who normally couldn’t give two shits about horse racing are suddenly showing up talking about the race. What gives?

    Probably the recent attention to horse racing with Luck.

  147. 147.

    Jack

    May 5, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    http://www.kentuckyderby.com

  148. 148.

    lamh35

    May 5, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): Lord if only she would. My mom is from the school, if we don’t speak of it, then it doesn’t happen. She was committed to a local mental hospital in NOLA once by her mother-in-law (my sister’s grandmother) when me and my 2 sisters were way young, but as far as I know she hasn’t been to any real therapy since.

    She resist every type of intervention on the subject. When she ups she up, when she’s down, she’s down. Either way she is highly functional which makes it harder to convince her to seek counseling.

    But thanks for asking.

  149. 149.

    Elizabelle

    May 5, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Here’s live video from C-Span of Richmond rally.

    Michelle is speaking now.

    http://www.c-span.org/Events/President-Obama-We-Will-Finish-What-We-Started/10737430425-1/

    C-Span TV giving us a choice of Libertarian convention in Las Vegas (pale people milling around) and Michael Gerson, GWBush speechwriter. Thank you C-Span.

    Crowd in Richmond is pumped.

  150. 150.

    John O

    May 5, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    That’s true. Greatest horse ever. (Sorry if I missed that debate.)

  151. 151.

    SmallAxe

    May 5, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    Derby Time, My Pick: Quinella with #15 Gemologist over #4 Union Rags, #5 Dullahan, #6 Bodemeister and #10 Daddy Nose Best. I like it. Pletcher is the man.

  152. 152.

    KrisWV

    May 5, 2012 at 6:20 pm

    Run for the Roses isn’t my favorite song either, but Dan Fogelberg was a genius, a fast and firey soloist on the Strat, a tireless fundraiser for the environment, and his music kept me from blowing my head off more than once in the drinkin’ days of the 80’s. More talent in his little finger than i got (or you got) in the whole body with a clone for backup. And he’s dead. So some respect.

  153. 153.

    Nicole

    May 5, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    For those who watched the race- that run by Bodemeister was freaking amazing. All props to the winner, but holy cow, Bodemeister is a special horse.

    FWIW, when races are timed, they’re timed in eighths and quarter miles. Figure 12 seconds as a baseline time for each eighth of a mile. The shorter the race, the faster the fractions. The longer the race, the slower.

    For Bodemeister to run the quarter mile in less than 23 seconds and the half mile in less than 46 and the three quarter miles in less than a minute and 12 seconds (he ran it in a little more than 1:09), and STILL hang on for second place is incredible. As fast as he ran, he should have been finishing in the final five horses.

    If he didn’t wear himself out today and he comes back for the Preakness, he’s going to eat I’ll Have Another’s lunch.

  154. 154.

    Yastreblyansky

    May 5, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    @General Stuck: Not to pimp, but I covered this story in December, on the pretext of for once saying something nice about wankers.

  155. 155.

    different-church-lady

    May 6, 2012 at 1:35 am

    Crushing the ice matters. It matters a huge amount.

    Get one of these.

  156. 156.

    Friday Jones

    May 6, 2012 at 6:39 am

    Day late and a dollar short (SOP).

    Cheeseburger, “Derby Day”

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