All bets are on

It’s a good thing I did not have the opportunity to put any money on a horse at the Kentucky Derby, because I did not pick Street Sense to win. I enjoyed the 90 minutes of pre-race coverage, though. With the thunderstorms raging outside my window, I just sat on my duff in the easy chair and stared at the tv, like some kind of a couch potato. I know it’s all hype and holler, but I liked it. We even made mint juleps and my own version of Kentucky fried chicken for supper. I’d like to host a derby party – maybe next year.
Queen Elizabeth made her appearance, although I didn’t like her hat as much as the one she wore the day before. She very graciously stood respectfully while everyone bellowed “My Old Kentucky Home,” though she looked a bit perplexed. I think maybe she was expecting the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Anyway, when the gate opened and the field spread out, Street Sense was in 19th (out of 20) place. He made his way up the pack, mostly on the rail until he found an opening on the home stretch. He blew past the leader and crossed the wire, winning by a couple of lengths. The horse that ended up in second had been leading the whole race and was completely clean at the finish. Street Sense, on the other hand, was covered in dust from the top of his ears, the white blaze on his face, his chest, his front legs and clear back to his withers.
So let that be a lesson to you – If you have to come from behind, you might still be able to win, but you’re going to get covered with dirt.

Now for a practical application… I don’t really have one. What do you think?

And, like the old song says, “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish…”

Another thing – in 1973 when Secretariat won the Triple Crown, he stumbled coming out of the gate at the Derby and had to come from dead last.
I know who I’m going to be rooting for in the Preakness.