I tuned in, hoping that perhaps something cool, instead of something tragic- would happen this year. I was hoping that General Quarters might be that long shot, but this is even better.

That little Cajun jockey is well known here in Arkansas. He's a regular rider at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, and they were talking about him on the news. I'll have to ask my sister if he is a customer of hers when he's in the state. I'd be surprised if he wasn't- we get tons of business from Hot Springs.

That horse looked like he'd been out for a nice canter. Not bad for a $9,500 horse whose trainer was on crutches. I'm happy for the lot of 'em. They won one for the lot of us.

I'm delighted. I, too, had been rooting for General Quarters, but I like Calvin Borel (from his earlier Derby win) and his homespun ebullience. And that horse...if he can run 1 1/4 mile in that slop and look that good coming out of it (was he even breathing hard--at all?) that's a serious distance runner. I dunno about the Preakness--it's not best for come-from-behind runners--but if he can break fast he's certainly got speed. But the Belmont...oh, lordy.

It's annoying that the network spends so much time on people talk and so little time giving basic horse information about every runner (sire and dam both at a minimum--ideally all four grandparents.) I know he was sired by Birdstone, but his dam? I'd be surprised if his dam didn't have some serious distance breeding. (Ha: found some pedigree. And history--he was Canadian Champion 2yo, but tapped out in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile coming in last. I'd rather have a Derby winner.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/mine-that-bird/2006
That's a pretty solid pedigree for distance and speed both. So his Beyer number on dirt *was* only 81...)

Wonderful. The spirit of Sea Biscuit lives.

That and "Sylvester" (horse movie, not about a racehorse but eventing.)

I was sorta rooting for General Quarters, too. But once Mine That Bird made a move...I was all for him. And it looked like a clean race (other than the mud)--even though Calvin squeezed through that one tight spot, it was clear there was no interference. Given that, I imagine people just shook their heads and said "Damn--I had no idea that colt could run like that..."

I've now looked up his pedigree. There's more "...Dancer" in there than I like (thinking hooves) but can't fault the speed and endurance in those names. He must've been "off" some way in the Breeders Cup Juvie.

E.

Wonderful. My dad would have liked that one. :) (I happened to see coverage of the Rachel Alexandra win on, of all things, Rachel Maddow, last night.)

Rachel Alexandra is an awesome filly. I wonder if they've ever ultrasounded her heart...if she's inherited the "big heart" gene (that they now know is associated with uncommon performance ability in TBs. Secretariat had it. Somewhere I read--can't recall now--that they've traced it back to a probable mutation in a mare in the 16th or 17th c. All the horses with it have that mare in their pedigree.) The reason I wonder is that big flowing stride she has...when she took off again after passing the others, Calvin was just hand-riding her, and she did it like a horse having fun...whee, I'm in front, I'm going to sprint for the sheer delight of it.

Both of them have that 'tactical speed' thing, but it was a lot more evident in Mine That Bird, because of race circumstances.

I watched the race and it was awesome.

Your account here is just beautifully written. I'm going to print it out and send it to my Dad, who is much more into the Derby than I am.

Hope he enjoys it.

I almost didn't watch, because I've had problems with the TV since we put the digital set-top box on it. I'm very glad I did. I'm sure they'll be showing it later--on the news or online somewhere. (I watched yesterday's Oaks online, after the Derby.)

Thank you!

After years like last year, I had a lot of pangs considering the Derby. I'd read all the Black Stallion books, including the one where they have to put the filly down, and I was ready to say that it's not worth it.

But this was a neat account of this year's race, and it almost redeemed all the hurts from last year. I hope Mine That Bird got his well-deserved carrots.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv8x9x5A49s&feature=featured

~ Rosanne