Place Yer Bets: Kentucky Derby At The Turf Room

Each year on the first Saturday in May, you can observe people exhibiting some strange behavior. Ladies wear extremely garish hats, adults 21 years of age and older attempt to drink a hideously disgusting cocktail called a mint julep, and a group of smallish people climb aboard a group of largeish horses and race around a 1.25 mile track in order to win a blanket made out of roses and facilitate the exchange of millions of dollars between thousands of gamblers. All of which the horses care nothing about.

The 135th running of the Kentucky Derby is this Saturday, May 2, with TV coverage starting at 3:00 pm. But you don't want to watch this at home, you want to get out there and bet on horses named West Side Bernie and Atomic Rain. You want to try one of those infernal juleps. Yuck. Well, I have just the place for you.

Gallop down to the Turf Room restaurant and OTB facility in North Aurora near Randall and Orchard. Obviously this place is very popular on Derby Day, so they do things a little different than any other day. If you want to sit inside you'll have to purchase either a $20 or $40 ticket. Each ticket reserves a seat for the day's events. The $20 package includes either a burger or chicken samich. The $40 package upgrades you to a NY Strip or salmon.

For those who'd like to just place a bet and hang out, the Turf Room sets up a tent outside featuring TVs, a full bar, and several friendly betting agents standing by to accept your wagers.

The fun at the Turf Room starts at 11:00 am. Dust off your kooky hats and make a day of it. And tell 'em you heard it from The Voice!


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