Kentucky Derby

[Jaguar]

As a person who lived in Fort Knox and Radcliff Kentucky from 1973 - 1978, I miss the pomp and hoopla associated with the Derby in Louisville. Here we have "Derby Day" if you know where to look on the television, in Louisville they have "Derby Week", and by the time the horses are in the starting gate you know every trainer, every jockey, every horse, every owner, their strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Since moving to Texas in '78 it is the only thing from Kentucky I miss.

I don't like betting on horse races, but always pick a favorite and this time I actually picked the winner. I have owned horses growing up and know they enjoy running, and are competitive among each other (my horse was quicker than my sister's, although she could eventually catch up) and watching them run is fun.

Anyway, yesterday's race was a good one. Seeing Orb so far back I figured he was out of it, and running the long way around didn't think he could hold off Revolutionary since Calvin Borel kept him on the rail until the stretch. To see him just overpower the field on the final turn and keep that pace through the finish line make me think of another horse that did the same in 1973, and finished the Triple Crown 31 lengths ahead of the field (actually had to listen to the broadcast on the radio, we had just moved from Germany and didn't have a TV at the time.)

Is Orb the next super horse able to take the Triple Crown? Could be. He ran outside the entire race, when asked he powered around the field, and had the stamina to keep the lead at the wire. There hasn't been a Triple Crown winner since I left Kentucky, would love to see it happen this year.

[G26ster]

As a person who lived in Fort Knox and Radcliff Kentucky from 1973 - 1978, I miss the pomp and hoopla associated with the Derby in Louisville. Here we have "Derby Day" if you know where to look on the television, in Louisville they have "Derby Week", and by the time the horses are in the starting gate you know every trainer, every jockey, every horse, every owner, their strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Since moving to Texas in '78 it is the only thing from Kentucky I miss.

I don't like betting on horse races, but always pick a favorite and this time I actually picked the winner. I have owned horses growing up and know they enjoy running, and are competitive among each other (my horse was quicker than my sister's, although she could eventually catch up) and watching them run is fun.

Anyway, yesterday's race was a good one. Seeing Orb so far back I figured he was out of it, and running the long way around didn't think he could hold off Revolutionary since Calvin Borel kept him on the rail until the stretch. To see him just overpower the field on the final turn and keep that pace through the finish line make me think of another horse that did the same in 1973, and finished the Triple Crown 31 lengths ahead of the field (actually had to listen to the broadcast on the radio, we had just moved from Germany and didn't have a TV at the time.)

Is Orb the next super horse able to take the Triple Crown? Could be. He ran outside the entire race, when asked he powered around the field, and had the stamina to keep the lead at the wire. There hasn't been a Triple Crown winner since I left Kentucky, would love to see it happen this year.

I watch the Kentucky Derby every year. As a youngster I worked with thoroughbreds on the NY racing circuit (Belmont, Aqueduct, Saratoga) in the late '50's and early 60's. My all time favorite "come from behind" horse was Carry Back. He won the '61 Derby and the Preakness, but fell dismally short in the Belmont. He was a small horse too, and was bred from two lowly claimers (Saggy/Joppy). He would trial the pack until the far turn, then begin his charge. His stretch runs were nothing short of phenomenal. However, Secretariat's 31 length 1973 Belmont victory was a thing to behold. Unfortunately I had to watch it on TV.

Here's Carry Back's Derby win:

http://www.budgetfilms.com/clip/2129/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and here's Secretariats Belmont

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=cS4f6wiQJh4[/youtube]

[Jaguar]

He is moving like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE!"

I remember that line listening on the radio. Me, my mom, sister, and brothers listening to the broadcast, it was great.

[Jaguar]

Well, it looks like we will have to wait another year for Triple Crown winner.

Congratulations to Oxbow and Gary Stevens, ran your race and took the blanket of Black Eye Susans home.