‘Goosebumps.’ After 2 years of COVID restrictions, Derby fans revel in return to normal

On Saturday, the Derby was back: Mint juleps were sipped, horses zipped around the track while spectators cheered on their favorites and fans admired each other’s hats and matching outfits.

A contrast to the last two years, there were few signs of the pandemic on this first Saturday in May. Masks were nearly nonexistent and spectators packed the stands to watch a full day of races.

The Kentucky Derby was delayed in 2020, only the second time in its history — the first was for World War II. The September race had no spectators, the first time in the race’s history, due to the rise in COVID-19 positivity rates.

Last year, the track was at 40-50% normal capacity and Churchill Downs attendees were required to wear masks at the track when they weren’t eating or drinking regardless of vaccine status (though mask wearing became more infrequent as the day went on).

Late Saturday night, the track announced an official attendance for the day of 147,294. That was a slight decrease from 2019 when 150,729 flocked to Churchill Downs. The largest crowd ever was the 170,513 in 2015.

The infield may have felt a bit easier to navigate compared to three years ago. But the Derby excitement had returned for many in the crowd.

Baylee Horn, her mother Gena Horn and Karen Cettler returned to the Derby after sitting out last year’s. Gena and Karen, who are originally from Louisville, have attended the Derby for 18 years or more. Baylee, of Louisville, was near Churchill Downs last year, but she was scared to attend because of the ongoing pandemic, she said. This is Baylee’s 10th year.

They were excited to be back to check out their fellow spectators’ big colorful hats that looked like bouquets, the fashion, the elite horses. Baylee said she was happy the Derby was back to normal. It’s a magical event that many dream to attend, she said.

Gena and Karen reminisced about attending the Derby in their younger years when they would wear flip flops, pack sandwiches, sneak in alcohol and hang out in the infield.

Brothers Carey Pilo, of Louisville, and Craig, of Los Angeles, finally got to attend the Derby together. Craig bought tickets for the May 2020 Derby, but it was postponed. He then bought tickets for the rescheduled September 2020 Derby, but Churchill Downs later announced no spectators could attend. He again bought tickets to last year’s Derby but was unable to attend because of the track’s capacity limitations. Fourth time is the charm, he said.

The brothers were betting on race winners at the second level grandstands in the early afternoon.

“I love the horses, and I love losing money,” Carey said.

Couple Randy Schueller and Michelle Cattoor were wearing complementing outfits. Schueller’s vest had a bedazzled horse on the back. He returned for the Derby’s intoxicating atmosphere for the 10th time, even though “all you do is donate” he said, joking about all the bets he had lost.

The Derby was a bucket list item to check off for some.

Shaybree Goshon, of Iowa, and Lindsay Brewer, of Colorado, were celebrating Matt Brewer’s 40th birthday. They have been planning a trip to the Kentucky Derby for a year. They felt comfortable about COVID and traveling to Louisville to check off their bucket list, because they both work in hospitals and have been immersed in the ups and downs of the pandemic.

The two were camped out in the infield and able to see the horses making their first turns around the track. They also admired other spectators’ outfits.

“I love seeing the wide range of fashion choices,” Brewer said.

Couple Melissa Hall and Dan Workman were also sitting in the infield. Hall was sipping on her first mint julep of the day. It was their first time attending the Kentucky Derby. The crowd erupted with cheers as the horses roared by. Yells for Speak of the Devil filled the air. He later won the Derby undercard race.

“We didn’t even bet on them, but you get so excited,” Hall said.

Hall and Workman are from Memphis, and like Goshon and Brewer, coming to the Kentucky Derby was a bucket list item. They were ready to check it off now that COVID has waned, she said.

Couple Bree Wilson and Joe Postusta, of Minneapolis, were near the infield’s fence by the finish line.

“The thunder gives you goosebumps,” Postusta said. “It’s a lot of power.”

The couple were ready to have new experiences after two years being cooped up due to the pandemic.

“Go and enjoy life as much as you can,” Wilson said.

Postusta said he liked the unity in the crowd.

“It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing,” he said. “It’s the smile on your face.”

This story was originally published May 7, 2022 at 4:46 PM.