136th Annual Kentucky Derby

Ragin' Cajun Calvin Borel made history at Churchill Downs in Kentucky today. He won his third Kentucky Derby in the past 4 years, the first jockey to achieve such an amazing feat. On a soggy track with mud flying everywhere, he rode beautiful black Super Saver to victory. I was rooting for the filly Devil May Care, but she was challenged by the messy track. All the horses were covered in mud by the end. Thankfully there were no injuries for equines or humans this year.

As always, it was a delight to watch the pre-show on NBC, with plenty of shots of the big hats, the mint juleps and back stories for all the horses and their owners. It's a good thing the lead up to the race is fun and interesting, because the event itself is over in 2 minutes. The rain didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits as the crowd stood and sang Steven Foster's "Old Kentucky Home". As if on cue, the sun came out and the horses marched to the gate.

Hooray for the Run for the Roses. Laissez les bon temps roulez M. Borel. Well run!

THE 135TH RUNNING OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY

For a thoroughbred horse racing fan the Kentucky Derby is always the big ticket event in the racing season. It is also about the only time (unless there is a legitimate Triple Crown contender) that the average Joe and Mary pay attention to thoroughbred horse racing.

I watched the coverage of the pre-race on ESPN and their coverage is all encompassing and no one does this better than ESPN. Kenny Mayne, Jeannine Edwards, Jerry Bailey, Hank Goldberg - they know this sport and they know and love the horses.


NBC's coverage was relatively pedestrian and a huge disappointment. There's no enthusiasm, excitement or wide ranging knowledge. The true giant in this race was scratched. I saw "I Want Revenge" win the Wood Memorial and it was on that day that I had my Derby horse. He bolted from the gate sloppily and was in dead last place through most of that major prep race and then like a frigging bullet he crossed through the lanes like a mighty warrior. I placed $70.00 on this horse yesterday at an OTB and of course, I now have lost that $70.00. It's like throwing money away. I only gamble on Derby Day even though I love this sport with all of my heart. I love horses and as long as the horses are protected I'm for the sport. My equine friends mean the world to me, so this is a big day in my life. My party friends are still eating and talking about the winner - a $9,500.00 purchase that has a goofy name. "Mine That Bird" has won the Kentucky Derby. He will no doubt NOT be the 12th Triple Crown winner (we haven't had one since 1978's "Affirmed"), but then again you never know. That's why they call it a horse race!

Tragedy Darkens Kentucky Derby Day

Although I am not the official sports reporter on TFN, and know next to nothing about sports, I felt compelled to comment on yesterday's 134th Kentucky Derby. Known as "the most exciting 2 minutes in sports" and the oldest continuous sport in the US, this event was telecast on NBC yesterday afternoon. It is fitting that the Peacock network broadcasts this annual special, as the spectacle of ladies wearing big silly hats and the vibrant racing silks on the jockeys, make this the most colorful of all sports.

I watch the Kentucky Derby every year, because I love, and have always loved horses. And these are the fastest, and most beautiful horses in all the world. They are superb athletes and super models rolled into one. I also like the Derby because it's over quickly and it's very easy to figure out the rules. The horses run. One of them wins. If you bet and your horse comes in first, second or third (called win, place or show for people even more challenged by sports than me), you get money. Beyond that are piles of rules and regulations and strategy and stats, but you don't have to know any of them to enjoy the race.

This year's predicted winner (Big Brown) crossed the finish line in first place so easily I don't think he even broke out a sweat. A gorgeous animal, a rocket ship with four feet, he looked like he was out for a little spring jog. But his glorious victory was followed by an event so terrible and sad, I wonder if I'll ever have the desire to watch a horse race again. Eight Belles, the lone filly in the bunch, ran the race of her short life and came in second to Big Brown. She was a huge tall horse and you can see her trying to catch Big Brown in the picture above. Just seconds after the race ended, she collapsed. The strain of the run had caused her to fracture both front ankles, and she had to be euthanized on the spot. A horse that can't stand, will not survive, as anyone who followed the story of another famous Derby winner (Barbaro) now knows.

There is plenty of talk in the racing world that horses today are being bred for speed, not endurance. And it is cruel to race them so young before their bones have had a chance to fully develop. Animal activists want to outlaw the sport entirely. These issues will undoubtedly be brought to the forefront now. Millions of people had the chance to watch a beautiful black horse run for the roses, only to be destroyed moments later. This is the only sport in the world where the athlete is terminated after an injury. It sure took the joy out of the race for me.