Many came outfitted in Kentucky Derby themed outfits, while others also brought their knowledge and passion for horse racing. The setting was the first Village of Huntley and Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce Derby Day at the Huntley Town Square.
Sun City residents Sue Wallace and Mary Schulee spoke with a background of horse racing knowledge, before Sovereignty won the run for the roses at Churchill Downs in Lexington, Ky., on May 3. Sovereignty beat favored Journalism on a wet race track in the Kentucky Derby’s 151st annual race.
“We go to the Kenneland Race Track horse sales each year, and we’ve also been to Saratoga Race Course (New York),” Schlee said.
“It’s the competition, their athleticism,” Wallace said. “I think that horse racing should be celebrated. We always go to race courses where they treat the horses the right way. We’ve had a chance to meet jockey Pat Day and the trainer for Secretariat (Lucien Laurin).”
Wallace said one aspect in picking a winner is knwing the jockeys. She remembers when one of the longest long shots in Derby history, Mine That Bird, won the title.
One of the stars of the first Derby Day event in Huntley was Socks, a 19-year-old horse owned by Operation Wild Horse, a Bull Valley location. Program Director Pam Gruber said the concept is that the horses can help U.S. veterans who ride them.
“I love everything to do with horses,” Gruber said. “We work with a lot of McHenry County American Legion Posts, the Veterans Assistance Commission and service officers. The oldest veteran who presently attends is 76-years-old. One veteran in his 80s wished to ride one of our Wild Mustangs and we helped him get limber enough to ride.”
One young attendee summed up the feeling of many attending.
“I like horses,” Callie Isaac, wearing a big Derby hat, said.
A group of Huntley Second Street neighbors was happy, as they were given Sovereignty’s name in a random draw. The crowd capped off the day by watching the Kentucky Derby on a huge TV screen.
About 120 people signed up for the first Huntley Derby Day. They enjoyed sampling Kentucky bourbon and other first Saturday in May drinks at various Huntley Town Square restaurants, the “Beer and Bourbon Trot.” The restaurants participating were: DC Cobb’s, Huntley American Legion Post 673; Parkside; Village Inn and Sammy’s Bar & Grill.
“I definitely think it’ll be the bourbon,” bartender Marty Roetsche, working at the Huntley American Legion Post, said. “I love to dress up for the derby each year.”
Others liked putting together a hat for the day or the “human horse race” game.
“It’s the Derby, and I love a good theme,” Ben Ballis said.
He wore red pants, a red vest, a tie and a hat for the day. Also, Bill White, Tammy and Vince Nuccio also came dressed up, with the couple in pink outfits.
Alejandora and Ron Kleiger of Huntley said they enjoyed the event, with Alejandora wearing a hat she made.
