Derby City 2023

Kentucky Rack Man

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
At 62 years of age, I went with realistic goals. I wanted to win 2 matches in 9-ball.

First Round was a victory over nice young man from Texas. 9-4

Second Round was a victory over Rob Saez and he is supposed to win. 9-8. Goal Acomplished

My son who runs the day to day at the family business drove down as he has done in the past but inever made it til Friday evening. He brought two buddies with him. I started to match playing the worst pool I have ever played. I was down 6-2 and then the memory of the Derby began (Other than beating Saez). I rallied and won the next 8 games 7-1 and closed the match out at 9-7. My son got to see me get hot and win. Hooray lol

The matches were running unbelievably behind and I had not slept and finished my match just before 3 am. I had been running on 44 hours and beginning to have thoughts enter my head. I was exhausted and not mentally used to this. At my age my health is something I pushed up the list.

Before my 4th round match my son had to be given the Heimlich Maneuver and was choking very bad. All appeared well. They offered to call ambulance and take him to hospital and have checked. All was well.

Started 4th Round match around 11 to 11:30 pm Friday nite. Played strong early and had the lead at 5-3. Fatigue and long days got to me and I ran out of gas. Lost 9-7. It was 1:30 am. My son was very ill and high fever And shaking. Got meds in him and just now got him back home in eastern KY.

Was excited to Win 3 matches before losing. Had opportunity to squeak out a Victory that probably should have not happened. Got to make a remarkable comeback with my son and friends in audience ( Priceless ). Last but not least I could have won the 4th round match but got to have the one that got away To talk about.

If my son had not gotten sick I would have actually bought back and made the 5th round. Lol. In Summary, I had never even thought about advancing at all. I always just wanted to Win 2 matches.

Goal Acomplished. Probably last Derby I will play. The wait time is BRUTAL.
Food was not as bad as I was expecting. EFREN is “ THE GOAT “. Been attending for 20 years.
Tight pockets and the overwhelming amount of Dead Money Players just slowed things down. Lot of missed balls. Best wishes to all. Ole man

p.s. Almost forgot - Got to walk up to Stu and say Hello Mr. SJM I am “The Kentucky Rack Man”
As Always He was a Perfect Gentlemen and Offered Opportunity to Sweat a Match
( Priceless )
 
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Nice write up, and congrats on playing well.

Food was not as bad as I was expecting.

I think the food is disparaged more than it deserves on this forum. There was plenty of decent food available. Breakfast at the cafe is very good. The various sandwiches, salads, and grill items (burgers, chicken, tenders, etc) at the various outlets are perfectly fine with good portions and a variety of side options. Some of the desserts were actually quite delicious (I'm looking at you, cookie sandwich). It's just all pretty darn expensive is the issue.

The home cooking place is a little disappointing, especially given it's the most expensive place outside of Ramsay's. But overall, you can eat fine there...as long as you budget about $60/day for food.
 
At 62 years of age, I went with realistic goals. I wanted to win 2 matches in 9-ball.

First Round was a victory over nice young man from Texas. 9-4

Second Round was a victory over Rob Saez and he is supposed to win. 9-8. Goal Acomplished

My son who runs the day to day at the family business drove down as he has done in the past but inever made it til Friday evening. He brought two buddies with him. I started to match playing the worst pool I have ever played. I was down 6-2 and then the memory of the Derby began (Other than beating Saez). I rallied and won the next 8 games 7-1 and closed the match out at 9-7. My son got to see me get hot and win. Hooray lol

The matches were running unbelievably behind and I had not slept and finished my match just before 3 am. I had been running on 44 hours and beginning to have thoughts enter my head. I was exhausted and not mentally used to this. At my age my health is something I pushed up the list.

Before my 4th round match my son had to be given the Heimlich Maneuver and was choking very bad. All appeared well. They offered to call ambulance and take him to hospital and have checked. All was well.

Started 4th Round match around 11 to 11:30 pm Friday nite. Played strong early and had the lead at 5-3. Fatigue and long days got to me and I ran out of gas. Lost 9-7. It was 1:30 am. My son was very ill and high fever And shaking. Got meds in him and just now got him back home in eastern KY.

Was excited to Win 3 matches before losing. Had opportunity to squeak out a Victory that probably should have not happened. Got to make a remarkable comeback with my son and friends in audience ( Priceless ). Last but not least I could have won the 4th round match but got to have the one that got away To talk about.

If my son had not gotten sick I would have actually bought back and made the 5th round. Lol. In Summary, I had never even thought about advancing at all. I always just wanted to Win 2 matches.

Goal Acomplished. Probably last Derby I will play. The wait time is BRUTAL.
Food was not as bad as I was expecting. EFREN is “ THE GOAT “. Been attending for 20 years.
Tight pockets and the overwhelming amount of Dead Money Players just slowed things down. Lot of missed balls. Best wishes to all. Ole man

p.s. Almost forgot - Got to walk up to Stu and say Hello Mr. SJM I am “The Kentucky Rack Man”
As Always He was a Perfect Gentlemen and Offered Opportunity to Sweat a Match
( Priceless )
Well Mr dad you did it... Bless you...Guy
 
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