KENTUCKY DERBY

THE WIN BY Mine That Bird and jockey Calvin Borel brought me to tears. I am so happy about the true Victory! BUT, (you knew that was coming didn't you?) how it was received by most really pisses me off. In 2006 Barbaro with 6:1 odds won the Kentucky Derby on a broken leg then was immediately euthanized on the track (traumatic for spectators but actually humane; most go to slaughter and fetch the owner a whopping $200 [about 10 cents a pound]). And last year runner up horse Eight Belles died on the track just seconds after the race. This year hope brings us Mine That Bird, a young "discount" horse hauled 2000 miles from New Mexico behind an old Ford pick up truck that broke down in Texas (most are flown to conserve energy), the driver/trainer Bennie Woolley, an old rodeo cowboy. Birds odds 50:1, squeezed out of the gate starting out in last place this gelding (race horses that are expected to become champions are never gelded) rode the rail to win the Derby by nearly 7 lengths; the only other horse to beat this record was Assault in 1946 winning by 8 lengths. This was a beautiful miracle!!!
AND BRAVO TO jockey Calvin Borel who was quoted saying "[a horse] can only go so fast, so far" and that he learned to be "so patient with these 3 year olds". THANK YOU!

Borel showing appreciation


SO WHY IS it that the media is calling it one of the greatest upsets in Derby history? Well MONEY of course! The millionaires certainly didn't put their money on a 50:1 horse. Well its about time the rich didn't get richer! Open your eyes people...ITS ABOUT THE HORSE! I hope Mr. Woolley will buy himself a new Ford for the ride home.


quotes from The Arizona Republic
pictures from ClackamasReview and The Washington Times