A horse is a horse, of course, of course, but when is a horse not just a horse? When the horse is running in the Kentucky Derby. It’s the Kentucky Derby that makes the horse a very important horse. Why? Because the Kentucky Derby is the first race in what is known as the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown kicks off with the Kentucky Derby, in Louisville, Kentucky, then on to the Preakness, in Baltimore, Maryland. Last of the three, the Belmont Stakes, in Long Island, NY.
This Saturday, always the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby (first of the Triple Crown races) will begin. Once my husband and I settle on who we think will be the winner, its off to OTB. The Kentucky Derby is the only time we bet on the horses. Now I make my bet based on the name of the horse. My husband bets on the least favorite horse. It’s all in fun. I guess you can say “horseplay.”
As the horses are let out of their gates with a “They’re Off.” We watch these beautiful creatures run around the track, cheering for the horse we picked to win. We never pick the same horse. Now the race lasts two minutes. These two minutes are considered the “greatest two minutes in sports.” Then it’s over. Till next year. Exciting!
I can’t wait to see which Kentucky Derby horse will get to wear the blanket of roses in victory. As for me, the Kentucky Derby is not all about the horses, it’s also about the HATS.