KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan - It may not have been a stadium filled with thousands of roaring fans, but on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, a gathering of Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, cheered their favorite horses to the finish line of the Kentucky Derby in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 8.
The unit is based out of Fort Knox, Ky., less than 30 miles from the racetrack at Churchill Downs where the race is held each year.
Watching the Kentucky Derby was a reminder of home, said U.S. Army Capt. Aaron Bragg, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., TF Duke and a native of Radcliff, Ky.
It was the first time in ten years he had missed watching the race from the stands, he said, adding that it's always been a tradition to go with his family and friends to the races.
Bragg and others watched Animal Kingdom race across the finish line ahead of third-place finisher Mucho Macho Man, one of the favorites of those gathered.
"It means a lot to be able to watch this live because my wife is at the race," Bragg said.
Horse racing in Kentucky dates back to 1789. It wasn't until 1875, however, that Churchill Downs was founded.
The night's race was the 137th running since the Derby's founding.
The idea for the gathering was inspired by derby-related "party-boxes," containing T-shirts, hats, and various race-themed party favors that were sent to Company B, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div, TF Duke by the Louisville, Ky., Chamber of Commerce, said U.S. Army 1st Lt. John Elfrey, with Co. B, 3rd STB, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., TF Duke, and a native of Philadelphia.
"The Derby is a nice break from work," said Elfrey, who said he had never watched the race in person, but had seen it several times on TV.
Soldiers had the chance to send video-taped greetings to family and friends back home before the race, said U.S. Army Maj. Travis Dettmer, the public affairs officer with 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., TF Duke, and a native of Forest Lake, Minn.
As one of the biggest events in Kentucky, the unit jumped at the chance to be part of the broadcast when the Louisville Chamber of Commerce, who sponsors one of the 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div. platoons through the Fort Knox area adopt-a-platoon program, reached out to get involved, Dettmer said.
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