Despite my qualms about the racing industry, I'm not going to lie: I'm a big fan of Derby Day. Our yearly tradition is to invite a ton of friends and family over to the house and drink Mint Juleps and eat Kentucky Fried Chicken in cotton sundresses and, yes, obnoxious sunhats. For one day, we rally around the Run for the Roses and watching the history of long-shot winners unfold before our eyes, we've all come to realize that on Derby Day, nothing is impossible.
And then we all get together for a repeat celebration on the day of the Preakness--a less dramatic party, more intimate party but a party nonetheless. And if there happens to be a Triple Crown contender by the time the Belmont rolls around, we call in the troops for that, too. But I think we'll be watching all three races this year, regardless, thanks to super-special Louisiana-born jockey Calvin Borel.
I don't think I noticed Calvin before last year, when he hailed as Rachel Alexandra's main jockey. I hadn't paid him much attention when he won the Derby on Street Sense in 2007, mostl
Calvin, the Cajun-accented "Yes, ma'am; no, sir" man, has stolen both mine and my family's hearts. And with his third Kentucky Derby win in four years this afternoon on Super Saver, I think my whole house rejoiced. In the words of Derby trainer Bob Baffert, "It's that frickin' Calvin Borel!" Not that Calvin deserves all the credit. Super Saver's half-brother, Monarchos, was the most recent horse to break the two-minute barrier in the Kentucky Derby; and of course, with a trainer like Todd Pletcher, today's Derby win was a long time coming.
But of course, this win has everyone talking about the Triple Crown. Calvin Borel proclaimed to reporters, "That's it, that one right there. I'm going all the way this year. I have to do it." With contenders like Ice Box and Lookin at Lucky, the feat could be more difficult than usual. But can the Superstar and his Super Saver pull it off? We'll have to hang on until May 15th to see.
Icebox was really coming on at the end...a little late, but with the increased distance of the Belmont, one has to wonder.
ReplyDeleteBut I do love Calvin's "yes, ma'am, no sir" style, and he does it without any pretension at all, it's just part of his nature. I'd be happy to have him on one of my horses any time.
It was a good race. I just kind of feel a little sad to see Backtalk, the Smarty Jones boy come in last. Now that would have been a story too!
Meantime, Calvin and Super Save ran a masterful Derby. It was a nearly perfect run for the roses. *G*
Good for him, hey?
ReplyDeleteWhen I'd read he'd won 3 Derbys in the last 4 years, I had to look up the first one - Street Sense.
- The Equestrian Vagabond