The prevailing theme following Mine That Bird's 50-to-1 shocker in this year's Kentucky Derby was that his story is why racing is the greatest game.
It's a great game because it offers opportunity.
In what other sport could "two hicks from New Mexico," as co-owner Mark Allen referred to himself and co-owner Leonard Blach, ascend to the very top of the game in a matter of months? I can't think of any.
It's a great game because it's a humbling game.
I told anyone who would listen before that race that I would love to be able to book the win money being bet on Mine That Bird. I didn't think he could win, yet this horse was "only" 50-1. I really thought he'd be 100-to-1. I'm glad Betfair's not legal in America.
So now it's on to Baltimore where more great stories are sure to unfold.
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Right on!
ReplyDeleteTo me the Derby is not about the best horse - it's who can get thru the traffic - as we saw Talamo do with I Want Revenge previously. Bo-rail proved my Derby point. Besides, there no doubt he was in the zone.
ReplyDeleteWoolley said, "nuthing bothers this horse," and in the Post Parade with all the noise MTB was the only horse looking ahead to what was coming up - that has always been my mark of who would win. It also didn't "bother" the horse to keep his momentum thru a 3 foot opening on the rail when asked to do so.
As far as Westerners and ex-rodeo riders horning in, it's about time racing lost some its Blue Blood status. Westerners don't put up with a lot BS and being constantly chided by the press about the van ride finally broke Woolley's patience when he had other things in mind - like his Western Hospitality of giving credit to other trainers of MTB.
This IS GOOD for racing - just watching the crowd cheering as the Bird flew past the lugging leaders and then roaring their approval as Borel and MTB wallowed in their victory "dance" as one couple. Didn't Seabiscuit and Red Pollard do the same thing once when horse racing was at the pinnacle of sports, when the whole country stopped to hear a race on radio (then see it on Movie Tone News)?
We can all handicap and pedigree away, but in reality there are the Derby Gods who, just like the Real One, everyone seems to ignore. The Gods have reasons of their own as to who the winner will be and the reason for my All bet on Derby Day.
I also believe the Gods gave Sunland Park and their runners some kind of payback for Peppers Pride all-time winning streak not being acknowledged with an Eclipse award.
'09 was a fantastic Derby day, and people who only watch once a year said, "WOW, look at what a horse can do!" ... not realizing the prowess of such a rider as Borel. Yes, the Derby Gods touched him on the first Friday and Saturday in May.
merrywriter
"two hicks from Texas" - that's a little rough - these two guys are by no means hicks - just because they don't talk with the Kentucky drawl and have a farm here. I know very few hicks that can come up with $400,000 to buy anything much less a champion 2yo.
ReplyDeleteIt was an awesome display of horsemanship - something our sport has lacked for a while.