5,122 more people than last year's total, according to track officials. At the Oaks, it's almost one's civic duty to drink and wager and to see and be seen. This is the most colorful, mingling party. You see everybody. The party has become quite an event for the Louisville metro area.
People take off from work and head to the track or stay home and throw parties.
Even the county school system shuts down. For Louisvillians, the Oaks has surpassed the Kentucky Derby as the event to attend. Dattilo and her friend, Bobbie Chitwood, were among those enjoying themselves. I love it. So did Daisy Thaler and five of her friends.