By Jim Hannah
The Cincinnati Enquirer

KENTUCKY DERBY

Photo gallery: The race

Photo gallery: The scene

Get Kentucky Derby 130 news and information at courier-journal.com/derby

TOP HEADLINES

PRIOR COVERAGE

Sunday Dirty little secret Adding to grief are debts Jockey moving, but lacking in context Monday VIP guests moved to infield Castledale, St Averil committed to Derby Tuesday Layoff could be a benefit Wednesday Off the beaten track Jockeys hopeful of logo OK Thursday Hard times paved Derby road The Cliff's Edge made favorite Friday Success a quick climb Limited sight doesn't limit horse Photo gallery: Friday at Churchill Downs  Saturday 'Smarty' wins with sentimental journey Just a race - but a big one A crowd at home track Good things in the future A place in their hearts Renovations make for a contrasting infield 'Tasteful' ads raise no fuss They Said It | Celebrities Race recap | Chart The Numbers | Winners

LOUISVILLE - Tim Jones of Hamilton attended the 130th Kentucky Derby to celebrate his marriage.

Keith Jones of Hamilton waded through a muddy infield to renew old friendships from his days at Ohio University.

And Elizabeth Hertenstein of Morrow came to continue a family tradition started by her grandfather.

Churchill Downs is more than 100 miles down Interstate 71, yet residents of Greater Cincinnati make elaborate plans each year to attend the greatest two minutes in sports.

For each, the Derby holds a special place in their hearts.

"I met my wife here," said 29-year-old Tim Jones, who sported a straw hat. "It is kind of like an anniversary for us. I wouldn't miss it for anything."

He, along with his older brother Keith, were two of 110 people who arrived at the Downs on two rented school buses. He helped start the trek 10 years ago with fellow Ohio University alumni.

"Us loading up in those buses was a great sight to see this morning," said Keith Jones, whose group hosts a giant Derby Eve party at a friend's house in Louisville. The bash is so elaborate they hired the rock group Puddle of Mudd to perform.

The brothers' Derby pick this year: Smarty Jones, who won.

"How can we not bet on that horse?" Keith Jones said, smiling. "We were at the Arkansas Derby this year when he won, so we think we'll bring him luck today."

While the Jones brothers braved the infamous infield crowd of bare-chested college kids, Hertenstein sat in a coveted clubhouse box seat among women wearing hats suitable for the cast of Gone With the Wind.

Hertenstein's grandfather, a noted Louisville physician, first got the seats. When he died, they were willed to Hertenstein's grandmother. On her passing, they went to an uncle who rotates them among family members. The last Derby Hertenstein attended was seven years ago.

"It's a long family tradition to come to the Downs," she said. "I want to keep it alive. I remember my grandparents coming to the track every year.

"My grandmother would buy buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken and take it to the track to share with everyone who sat in the family's box. It was a big deal."

She said her grandmother would always tear up for "My Old Kentucky Home," the state's official song played before each running of the Derby.

"It just doesn't get better than this," she said.

E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com