Kentucky Derby

[Lori]

O-M-G!!!!! What a race!!!!

Mine That Bird was NOT in my top three, didn't see (barely) a prayer that he would win, but I LOVE his jockey, Calvin Borel (won with Street Sense 2 years ago).

I love Calvin enough that I memorized his colors and number in the post parade - okay, 'just in case'. When the race started, I saw one poor horse/jockey struggling 10+ lengths behind the rest of the pack, and strained to hear who it was... *sigh*... Calvin - I basically wrote 'em off.

However, this was a race for the record books. The announcer didn't pick up this horse until he was several lengths in the lead (and pulling away) well into the home stretch - he came up THAT fast! The overhead replay was freakin' AMAZING!!! LAST in the final turn, FIRST across the finish line!

Those other horses might as well have been standing still... 'don't know how this li'l horse will fare in the Triple Crown grind, but hey, I'm behind him (and my Southern Boy Calvin) ALL da' WAY!

[apolostarr]

The horses were beautiful! I always get a kick out of their names. : D

[Casper]

May 2, 2009 21:09:15 GMT -5 Lori said:

O-M-G!!!!! What a race!!!!

Mine That Bird was NOT in my top three, didn't see (barely) a prayer that he would win, but I LOVE his jockey, Calvin Borel (won with Street Sense 2 years ago).

I love Calvin enough that I memorized his colors and number in the post parade - okay, 'just in case'. When the race started, I saw one poor horse/jockey struggling 10+ lengths behind the rest of the pack, and strained to hear who it was... *sigh*... Calvin - I basically wrote 'em off.

However, this was a race for the record books. The announcer didn't pick up this horse until he was several lengths in the lead (and pulling away) well into the home stretch - he came up THAT fast! The overhead replay was freakin' AMAZING!!! LAST in the final turn, FIRST across the finish line!

Those other horses might as well have been standing still... 'don't know how this li'l horse will fare in the Triple Crown grind, but hey, I'm behind him (and my Southern Boy Calvin) ALL da' WAY!

Lori:

He was my pick, but only because he is our "home town" horse. I live just a few miles from and have watched many a race at Sunland Park Racetrack where he stables and races quite a bit. I sat there with my mouth wide open as he came down the final stretch. Needless to say, the local southern New Mexico/West Texas media are all over it. It will be interesting to see whether he holds his own in the remaining Triple Crown races, or if he's a one trick pony; regardless, he's the first Derby winner from New Mexico and we are just proud as can be.

[Lori]

Yeah, the horse does have quite a story - in the newspaper the day of the race, someone called 'The Colonel' had this to say about him:

"He couldn't win at Sunland, and I don't even know where Sunland is..."

I'll bet he knows now!

And to Calvin Borel, who had the same fiance 2 years ago, I say "How come you haven't married that girl yet?"