Derby is tomorrow.

The excitement today was over the kentucky oaks.... won by serengeti empress.

For many fans... the race is just part of the fun.

Abc 36's ryan schmelz is there for the action in the infield.

While the seats in the luxury boxes are pretty nice, the people in the infield say this is a place you have to experience.

Take sot the mint julips are in the works..

And billie is trying her first..

Take sot they're amazing, actually they taste terrible but they're amazing.

They don't taste very good!

"laughs" but they are good.

Yuck.

It's all about the experience right?

Yes it is, yes it is it's fun.

Well..

At least she got the souvenir hat..

This group of girls are enjoying one last trip together before high school graduation..

They're favorite part about the infield..

Take sot the outfits and hats!

The outfits are good.

You see everyone walk by and you're like 'oh my god they look so cute' it's so fun, it's like kentucky culture.

And with a round of storms early in the day..

They added rain gear to the traditional oaks attire..

Take sot were ya'll worried about the rain?

Yes!

We all brought rain boots!

And for these uk students on oaks trip number 2, they learned their lesson from the first time..

When it comes to dealing with rain..

Take sot i mean, last year we came in a little unprepared.

So uhm, i knew it was going to be a little bit rainy today but oh well it's oaks so i might as well get a little wet.

At churchill downs, ryan schmelz abc 36 news.

He's a successful pro football star.... but he