Five on Three.

After taking it easy Friday and Saturday night, Sunday had the promise of being a fantastic day. In the United States, we have the Kentucky Derby, where men bring their money, and women bring their hats to watch horses run full speed around a track in hopes of nabbing that first place spot and cashing in big time on some dough. In Ireland, just about 45 minutes from Dublin in a town called Killdare, plays home to a racetrack for the four legged beauties. My friend Sarah had invited me to go to a horse race with her, because her aunt and uncle were coming from home and told her to bring a friend. I have never been to a horse race, I think the closest I've come was a New Hampshire car race with my family when I was about 7. I didn't know what to expect, but I know I didn't look good in big hats, so I figured the next viable option was to just buy a new dress instead. Priorities, check.

At 10am, I meet Sarah and walk to the bus and we begin our journey to her aunt and uncle's hotel. We round up everyone and leave around 11:30am to catch the train to Killdare. The train ride lasts about 45 minutes, and after getting off we hop on a free shuttle to the race track. Now I've never seen a race track but the ones in my mind have been relatively small, with dirt where the horses run. But this track was huge, and all grass. We walked into the lobby and got our tickets, which were pre-paid for my Sarah's uncle, and walk inside the track. There inside, low and behold is a store called 'Mad Hatters'. Naturally, there is a stigma that you have to wear some sort of hat to the race, so we all walk into the store looking for some sort of covering for our heads. I find this beret, which would make me look extremely European on my trip to France, and for 20% off 12 euro, I splurge and buy it. Sarah, her aunt, and her aunt's friend all bought hats as well. We walk outside and the sun has come out, making it a delightful day to be outside. All of us take our seats and people are in a frenzy to go place their first bets. Sarah's father told her to put 5 on 3, to win. We walk up to the counter and unknowingly pick the favored horse to win.


In front of the race track.

Sarah, her aunt and uncle and I in front of the horse statue.

After betting, you get a receipt for the bet you've made and go take your seat outside near the tracks. The horses begin to file out and go to the starting gate, which is so far off in the distance I can't even see it. The horses are off, and the announcer, who seems unenthusiastic, starts talking in the typical horse-race voice about who's in front, back, middle, etc. They are rounding the bend and it seems as if number 3 is in the front. Sarah and I get excited and start screaming, along with the rest of the crowd and wait for the horses to cross the finish line. Number 3 had a clear lead until he was passed and came in second. So much for the win. Sarah's out 5 euro.



The horses!

Sarah and I at the race.

We stayed for a total of 5 races, and called it a night. The experience was a first for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting dressed up and gambling. I don't plan on frequenting any casinos though, because the amount of money people lose on those races is insane. After a long day, it was nice to finally retire into my sweat pants and have an impromptu Disney singing festival with my roommate, Lisa. I love life in Ireland.