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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / May 2005[ot] Kentucky Derby
I haven't paid much attention to this year's Kentucky Derby horses, so don't know much about them. I drew a horse named High Fly in a local Derby pool. All I know about him is that Zito is the trainer and Jerry Bailey will be up. Horse racing fans, what are your opinions? Do I have a chance? Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha ============ http://www.jhedge.com > I haven't paid much attention to this year's Kentucky Derby horses, so > don't know much about them. I drew a horse named High Fly in a local > Derby pool. All I know about him is that Zito is the trainer and Jerry > Bailey will be up. Horse racing fans, what are your opinions? Do I > have a chance? High Fly is a very nice horse. He will have a good price because this year is a deep field. My Derby choices in order are Afleet Alex/Bellamy Road/Bandini/Wilko/High Fly/High Limit/Sun King/ and then the rest. (Wilko and High Fly should *probably* be reversed on speed numbers, but I just have a bit of a thing for little Wilko) Bellamy Road *appears* after his last race to be a total monster of a horse, but Afleet Alex has way more experience and has always been 1st or 2nd throughought his 2 and 3 year old years (so far) except for one race in which he finished last and was found to have a lung infection. I have a personal interest in that horse in that he is owned by new owners, he's got a sweet persoanlity, a percentage of his wins always go to Alex's Lemonade Stand, the childrens cancer charity begun by little Alex Scott and well, he's pretty amazing. Bellamy has won by huge lengths in his last two races, but has never been in a big field like the Kentucky Derby, whereas Alex has. Alex, High Fly and Wilko are gutsy and tough. They all have a wonderful ability to just hang in there. They tough it out and they do NOT throw in the towel. The nice thing about getting High Fly for your horse is that in the Kentucky Derby, luck is a much bigger factor than a lot of races so, that, plus High Fly's decent amount of talent give him a good chance of hitting the board. Having Jerry Bailey doesn't hurt either. He is definitely on of the top six or seven out of the 20 horse field, but Bellamy, Bandini and Alex will take all the money. Leaving everyone else at big odds. I'm just SOOOO excited. I've been churning since Sunday. Post position draws are this afternoon. Of course, drawing a far outside post for anyone is going to somewhat change the chances. I'd say it's best to have anything between 5 and 9. It will be on ESPN today at 4-5pm Central time on ESPN. It's going to be a GOOD Kentucky Derby. Friday is the girls turn with the Kentucky Oaks, so if you are home, be sure to watch the races! It's the one time of year when we get racing on TV!! Oh! BTW, Good Luck!! High Fly is a very nice horse. Stick with him in future races for sure. He's a tough little bugger. >Oh! BTW, Good Luck!! High Fly is a very nice horse. Stick with him in future >races for sure. He's a tough little bugger. I'd figured he wasn't a bad horse, with Bailey signing to ride him, but didn't realize he was one of the few who have a chance to win this thing. I'm certainly glad he's not a favorite - everyone knows favorites have a tough time winning this race. They've announced the initial line and post positions. High Fly is breaking from position 6 (a good place to be), and is a 12-1 co-5th choice (out of 20). I do have my doubts about the initial line - according to the report I heard, the other 12-1 horse hasn't won a stakes race, while the Wood winner is a 20-1 shot! Steinbrenner's horse is the favorite. I fear George may be in for another let down. <weg> Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha ============ http://www.jhedge.com >> Oh! BTW, Good Luck!! High Fly is a very nice horse. Stick with him in future >> races for sure. He's a tough little bugger. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Steinbrenner's horse is the favorite. I fear George may be in for > another let down. <weg> I think so. Unless he is the second coming of Secretariat and I doubt that. I'm so excited. It's getting close!! Yes, I would say High Fly certainly has a chance. Just depends on how it all pans out. I'm rooting for Afleet Alex like mad though. I cried and broke my glasses when he won the Arkansas Derby. I get a little excited about my horses. >>> Oh! BTW, Good Luck!! High Fly is a very nice horse. Stick with him in >>> future races for sure. He's a tough little bugger. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > for Afleet Alex like mad though. I cried and broke my glasses when he won > the Arkansas Derby. I get a little excited about my horses. What a race! 50 / 1 . Beautiful horses today. MLB >What a race! 50 / 1 . Beautiful horses today. MLB Wow, was it ever! They called it a stampede at down the stretch the first time, and I was sure the race caller for TV would be right when he cried out (yards from the finish) that there was going to be a 3-way photo finish. I live near Louisville, and was listening to the wrap up on local radio in the car while running some errands after the race. The radio guy was interviewing the Churchill Downs track announcer, who calls the race at the track (different guy from the fellow who called the race for the TV broadcast). To paraphrase: Interviewer: I've sat next to you many times while you've called races and even the Derby, and have never seen the look you had on your face from the top of the stretch - a look that said "I can't believe what I'm seeing!" Race Caller: Well I couldn't! Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha ============ http://www.jhedge.com > >>> Oh! BTW, Good Luck!! High Fly is a very nice horse. Stick with him in > >>> future races for sure. He's a tough little bugger. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > What a race! 50 / 1 . Beautiful horses today. MLB Yes, it was really exciting! I imagine the people who bet on Giacomo (I think that's his name) are over the moon, especially if they made a large bet. Naturally, the owners, trainer and jockey are thrilled too. Joy >>>>> Oh! BTW, Good Luck!! High Fly is a very nice horse. Stick with him in >>>>> future races for sure. He's a tough little bugger. [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > Joy Well, it was certainly exciting and quite an upset! But I was happy with Alex and with Jeremy's ride. He was the only favorite who actually showed up at the finish. Watching the overhead replay, I'm convinced that with less traffic than a 20 horse calvary charge gives you, he would have had enough to get up first. I talked to the people I know who are with his team and he came out good. They are shipping him to Pimlico on Wednesday. The best news is that Alex's Lemonade Stand, whom they support, raised a LOT of money. People were dropping 100s in their jar. NBC did such a great piece on it that the Lemonade stand will not be forgotten even though Alex Scott (the little girl who started the charity) has passed away. Giacomo had a great ride and good for the California contingent who was definitely overlooked. I think we will see a larger than usual field for the Preakness which is good for the race but it won't be a 20 horse melee like the Derby! It's just amazing any of them come out whole. Very thrilling visually though. I had a GREAT time. One of these days I will actually get there. > Well, it was certainly exciting and quite an upset! But I was happy with > Alex and with Jeremy's ride. He was the only favorite who actually showed [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > he > came out good. They are shipping him to Pimlico on Wednesday. > Giacomo had a great ride and good for the California contingent who was > definitely overlooked. I think we will see a larger than usual field for [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > visually though. I had a GREAT time. One of these days I will actually get > there. I could do without the huge field they are having with the Derby anymore. Makes it more like a lottery than a horse race. It was interesting to watch the footage in the replays. The press really needs to stop believing their own b*lls%$t. They got very little footage of the actual winner. From what I did see, the jockey did a really excellent job. And the horse looked to have the stamina for the Belmont if he can take the Preakness. That's a big if. There is always a short distance rocket around to take the Preakness that can't last the Belmont. Jo >> Well, it was certainly exciting and quite an upset! But I was happy with >> Alex and with Jeremy's ride. He was the only favorite who actually showed [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Jo It'll be interesting. I tell you what, I'm always happy when the 'cappers don't pick the horse *I* want to win :) > >>>>> Oh! BTW, Good Luck!! High Fly is a very nice horse. Stick with him in > >>>>> future races for sure. He's a tough little bugger. [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > visually though. I had a GREAT time. One of these days I will actually get > there. I enjoyed the race, too! I used to be up on all the horse for the Triple Crown races every year and then life just got too busy, but I sure love watching them run! Hope A.A. wins at the Preakness and/or Belmont! Christine >>>>>> On Wed, 04 May 2005 07:32:28 -0500, Karen <kchuplis@alltel.net> > wrote: [quoted text clipped - 63 lines] > Hope A.A. wins at the Preakness and/or Belmont! > Christine The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They are good personal friends with Tim Ritchey (the trainer of Afleet Alex) and I should get to meet some of the horses!! I'm pretty excited. Hopefully, all arrangements will hold up. I will get to see my first LIVE race!! AND meet the horses and people. I'm still a bit overwhelmed. > The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They > are > good personal friends with Tim Ritchey (the trainer of Afleet Alex) and I > should get to meet some of the horses!! I'm pretty excited. Hopefully, all > arrangements will hold up. I will get to see my first LIVE race!! AND meet > the horses and people. I'm still a bit overwhelmed. That is just so incredibly cool. And it won't be as mobbed as the derby so it should be a lot of fun. Jo Awesome, Karen! If anyone deserves to go, it's you! Sending purrs that it'll all work out for you! Christine > >>>>>> On Wed, 04 May 2005 07:32:28 -0500, Karen <kchuplis@alltel.net> > > wrote: [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] > arrangements will hold up. I will get to see my first LIVE race!! AND meet > the horses and people. I'm still a bit overwhelmed. >The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They are >good personal friends with Tim Ritchey (the trainer of Afleet Alex) and I >should get to meet some of the horses!! I'm pretty excited. Hopefully, all >arrangements will hold up. I will get to see my first LIVE race!! AND meet >the horses and people. I'm still a bit overwhelmed. Congratulations! *_* And Pimlico is such a historic track too :) Have a wonderful time! Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha ============ http://www.jhedge.com > >>>>>> On Wed, 04 May 2005 07:32:28 -0500, Karen <kchuplis@alltel.net> > > wrote: [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] > arrangements will hold up. I will get to see my first LIVE race!! AND meet > the horses and people. I'm still a bit overwhelmed. What a wonderful opportunity! Congratulations! You'll have to tell us all about it. Joy >The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They are >good personal friends with Tim Ritchey (the trainer of Afleet Alex) and I >should get to meet some of the horses!! I'm pretty excited. Hopefully, all >arrangements will hold up. I will get to see my first LIVE race!! AND meet >the horses and people. I'm still a bit overwhelmed. So Karen, did you get to go? How was it????? Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha (writing several hours before the race takes place) >>The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They are >>good personal friends with Tim Ritchey (the trainer of Afleet Alex) and I [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >So Karen, did you get to go? How was it????? ps - Did you guys about have heart failure coming out of the turn at the head of the stretch? Oh, and what did you wear - you might have been on national TV, as they focused on the "Afleet Alex gang" during a TV replay of that moment (*such* language! ;) And how was the celebratory champagne? <g> for those who missed it: 1. Afleety Alex 2. Scrappy T 3. Giacomo Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha (written AFTER the race) > >>The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They are > >>good personal friends with Tim Ritchey (the trainer of Afleet Alex) and I [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha > (written AFTER the race) Oops, missed this and posted another thread, too. Yay, Afleet Alex for staying safe and winning!-- I remember the Alysheba race in 1987, also. Looked for Karen but didn't see her. Christine >Oops, missed this and posted another thread, too. Yay, Afleet Alex for >staying safe and winning!-- I remember the Alysheba race in 1987, also. >Looked for Karen but didn't see her. >Christine Karen wasn't with them in Louisville, and the came in 3rd. She was in Baltimore with them and they won. Maybe the "Alex Gang" will ask their lucky charm to join them in New York for the Belmont? >^.^< Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha ============ http://www.jhedge.com >>The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They are >>good personal friends with Tim Ritchey (the trainer of Afleet Alex) and I >>should get to meet some of the horses!! I'm pretty excited. Hopefully, all >>arrangements will hold up. I will get to see my first LIVE race!! AND meet >>the horses and people. I'm still a bit overwhelmed. How exciting! I hope you take your camera. And have a great time. My DH and I used to live as caretakers on a ranch with thoroughbreds, mostly taking care of the brood mares and foals. I love those horses. -- CATherine >> The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They are >> good personal friends with Tim Ritchey (the trainer of Afleet Alex) and I [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha > (writing several hours before the race takes place) I was not fancy. I knew I would be at the barn and wore nice deep green jeans and a Cold Water Creek geranium colored jacket and pale yellow T. Actually, I was being SWAMPED at the lemonade stand selling Alex posters. That poster you saw in the NBC piece was mine. I also gave them the motto Courage, Strength, Heart. That is why they asked me to come. And here is my report: Not only was I there but I was there with the winning team! I got to hang out with Afleet Alex at the barn. I met the trainer and had breakfast and dinner with him on Sunday. I was at the party the night before after the race. Met the horse, met the owners. I have become friends over the last year with the people who run media interference for Afleet Alex's trainer and owners. They asked me down because the used an image I made from a photo of Afleet Alex winning the Arkansas Derby and Alex Scott and gave them their motto: Courage, Strength, Heart. If you saw any of the coverage, that was my poster! So, I am back now and elated. Tired. A lot sad to leave. If you saw the race, Afleet Alex was cut off and clipped heels with another horse at the top of the stretch, fell to his knees, kept the jockey on, got up and STILL won!! The trainer calls it the Immaculate Recovery. There was a little angel named Alex Scott riding with Afleet Alex on Preakness day. She saved MANY lives. Had he gone down so would half the field and there would have been mortal injuries for both horses and jockeys. It was the most amazing experience of my life and I know that people who do good things have good done back now. I have no doubt that miracles happen. :) Keep the faith always! (Alex is SUCH a nice horse. Calm, and a real camera hog!) http://www.afleetalex.com >>> The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They >>> are [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > > http://www.afleetalex.com Sounds fantastic. So. Is he running the Belmont? Think he can handle the distance? That fall recovery will be in sports coverage clips forever. I sure hope he wasn't injured. Jo >>>> The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They >>>> are [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > > Jo So far, so good. Only a scrape! Yes, he can get the distance. He has trained like a marathon runner. None of the others have. Woohoo! After I read your post, I went back to my recording of the race. The poster you did is great. Are they taking you along for the Belmont? Good luck and all that? Jo >>> The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They are >>> good personal friends with Tim Ritchey (the trainer of Afleet Alex) and I [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] >done back now. I have no doubt that miracles happen. :) Keep the faith >always! (Alex is SUCH a nice horse. Calm, and a real camera hog!) I've read that Alex has an unusual temperament for a three-year-old race horse, meaning he is not criminally insane. ;) Did you get his autograph? ;) I have seen some dreadful things at the track-- they are such delicate, complex creatures. Glad he is OK. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com >>>> The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They >>>> are [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > race horse, meaning he is not criminally insane. ;) Did you get his > autograph? ;) I got piccies: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kchuplis/slideshow?.dir=/4398&.src=ph He is a very calm and laid back horse for a thoroughbred. Preakness day he just poked his head out about 10 a.m. and took in the scenery. Played with his bouncy ball a little. Yesterday morning we were fawning on him. My friend and one of the owners were really kissing up to him and playing with his mouth (they like their tongues tugged and stuff.) I think that is also what really saved him. He is one SMART horse. Being very calm keeps him very focused when running. He doesn't play around and get all spooky. He kept his wits about him Saturday for sure. Poor baby was SOOOOOOO tired though. I was watching them put a poultice on his leg that night and he just stood there for the groom and leaned his forehead against the stall wall. Pooped out with good reason. Tim said tonight that he still seems good. He hasn't seen any soreness issues yet, but they will walk him 4 times a day and keep checking to make sure no suspicious soreness shows up. I will say, Sunday morning he absolutely reveled in the attention of the media and did not want to go back in the barn (see pictures above) and later he was bouncing his ball around so he didn't feel too bad. But we all know how you can get sore a couple of days later. > I have seen some dreadful things at the track-- they are such > delicate, complex creatures. Glad he is OK. Yes, it can be very bad, but it is also just the most amazing testimony to a marvelous creature. That really is what thoroughbreds do. Run. Alex absolutely LOVES it. And did you see him after the race? His ears were pricked forward and his neck arched? He sure knew what he did all right. > Theresa > Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh > My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com >>>>> The media people for Alex have asked me to come to the Preakness!!! They >>>>> are [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > >http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kchuplis/slideshow?.dir=/4398&.src=ph <scream> <THUD> Just amazing. >He is a very calm and laid back horse for a thoroughbred. Preakness day he >just poked his head out about 10 a.m. and took in the scenery. Played with [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >> Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh >> My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com >> I got piccies: >> >> http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kchuplis/slideshow?.dir=/4398&.src=ph > > <scream> <THUD> > Just amazing. He's a charmer that one :) > I was not fancy. I knew I would be at the barn and wore nice deep green > jeans and a Cold Water Creek geranium colored jacket and pale yellow T. [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > http://www.afleetalex.com Congratulations, both on having your photo and motto chosen, and on being there to witness the great event! I thought of you when I heard about Afleet Alex being on his knees and still winning the race. He and the jockey must really be something! I'm so glad you had such a great time! Joy Know I'm terribly jealous. =o) And me clear over on the wrong coast for this event. That's verra cool, I hope the arrangements don't fall through. Have fun! Melissa I totally missed the race, as I had to work, but woo-hoo! Giacomo ran away with the honors! =o) Just goes to show, hype doesn't pan out. I kind of hope the odds remain long on him to win the Preakness and Belmont. Smarty Jones was billed as a possible triple crowner, but it didn't quite work, in his case. Run, Giacomo, Run! Your stud fees have probably quadrupled in a week. =o) Melissa USA Today has a link to a fantasy version of the Kentucky Derby, the "Dream Derby" on their website. There's even a call of the race. It's kind of like an audio-only version of those fantasy Super Bowl games ESPN shows. The field of 10 was determined by someone's idea of the top 3 year olds of all time based on their records, regardless of if they even ran in the Kentucky Derby (guess that's why Seabiscuit isn't in the field - he didn't really break out until he was older). Here's the field and their post positions: 1. Genuine Risk 2. Spectacular Bid 3. War Admiral 4. Seattle Slew 5. Citation 6. Man O'War 7. Whirlaway 8. Alydar 9. Affirmed 10. Secretariat I'm not sure if this link will work to get there (and it requires Flash), but if it doesn't try searching the USA Today site and you should be able to find it: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/graphics/dream_derby_05/flash.htm Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha ============ http://www.jhedge.com > USA Today has a link to a fantasy version of the Kentucky Derby, the > "Dream Derby" on their website. There's even a call of the race. It's [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > ============ > http://www.jhedge.com I've heard that. It's pretty fun. There is a GREAT book "Dream Race the Search for the Greatest Racehorse of all Time" http://www.robertclark.us/page/page/1869716.htm The paintings are really neat. It's on my list. Subject: FW: Churchill Downs A group of second, third, and fourth graders accompanied by two female teachers went on afield trip to Churchill Downs, the local racetrack, to see and learn about thoroughbred horses. > >> When it was time to take the children to the bathroom, it was decided that the girls would go with one teacher and the boys would go with the other. > >> The teacher assigned to the boys was waiting outside the men's room when one of the boys came out and told her that none of them could reach the urinal. > >> Having no choice, she went inside, helped the boys with their pants and began hoisting the boys up one by one, holding onto their "wee-wee's" to direct the flow away from their clothes. > >> As she lifted one, she couldn't help but notice that he was unusually well endowed. Trying not to show that she was staring, the teacher said, "You must be in the fourth grade." > >> "No, ma'am," he replied. "I'm the jockey riding Silver Arrow in the seventh." ROFL. Too funny. Did you see all the jockeys on Letterman the other night. That cute Jeremy Rose (who I think I get to meet) was just adorable. Mike SMith (rider of the winning Giacomo) did the top 10 list. > Subject: FW: Churchill Downs > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > "No, ma'am," he replied. "I'm the jockey riding Silver Arrow in the > seventh." |
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