It's less than 4 hours until the 135th run for the roses, this year's Kentucky Derby. And where might the VandeWater children be? That's right, in Louisville, betting their hard-earned $$$ on the horses. They tell me, however, that they always make $$$ or break even on the Derby. Grant called a bit ago for my bet and I'm putting a whole $20 on Friesan Fire - $10 to win and $10 to place. I'm sure I'll lose; I only win when I haven't actually put real money on a Derby horse. And of course the kids don't go to the Preakness or the Belmont. Meanwhile it's raining here, so I'm hoping for a nice, sloppy track to slow down some of the horses that have only run on synthetic (not my horse and one of the reasons I picked him yesterday and could find no reason to discard him today).
I picked the picture from the Derby's website to show the twin steeples on the left because it reminded me of our Batman building in Nashville. And the roses on the right because they are so beautiful that I thought I'd highlight a little info on them.
From the website: In 1904 the red rose became the official flower of the Kentucky Derby. The tradition was strengthened when, in 1925, New York sports columnist Bill Corum, later the president of Churchill Downs, dubbed the Kentucky Derby the "Run for the Roses." The garland as it exists today was first introduced in 1932 for the 58th running won by Burgoo King.
Burgoo King ???!!! Still want to eat HAMburgers from that place? :>
Kroger (grocery store) has been the official florist since 1987, and each year 400 roses go into the garland with a single rose in the middle pointing upward to symbolize the struggle and heart that goes into reaching the winner's circle. I would assume that means struggle and heart of all involved: owner, trainer, jockey, horse, and racing fans everywhere. The garland is made at one of the local Kroger stores each year and is put on display the night before for fans to view. Sounds like a mini Rose Parade to me as I would love to see both!
So, here's why I'm "voting for" (what I used to say before I was a money placer):
- his jockey is wearing green, my favorite color
- he isn't one of the horses that has only run on a synthetic track; it is a sloppy track today
- his pedigree is down from Seattle Slew, a Triple Crown winner
- his trainer was the trainer of Eight Belles, the filly who broke her legs and had to be put down immediately following the Derby last year; Larry Jones has also already announced his retirement after this year's Derby; the jockey, Gabriel Saez, rode Eight Belles and Jones has stuck with him which shows a lot of character to me as well
- he's a pretty horse :>
Happy Derby Day to all!
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