I've lived in Kentucky now for almost 8 years, and the longer I am here, the more I fall in love with the commonwealth. The rolling hills, twisty country roads and hometown cities make this the kind of place that I really like to live.Every year on the first Saturday of May, a field of horses from all over the world comes together here in Louisville, Kentucky on one afternoon to run for the roses, each one hoping to become the next winner of the Kentucky Derby.
I remember even as I kid in South Florida, watching thoroughbreds run in the warm Kentucky afternoon. I remember the chill that went down my spine as the pack rounded the fourth turn and the announcer shouted, "AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!" It's something that, for as long as I can remember, I waited for and watched with great anticipation. There really is nothing like watching horses run like they do at Churchill Downs.
Today the Derby runs for the 135th time, and although I will be sleeping during the day, I'll set my alarm and get up early, just to watch horses trained by Bob Baffert, Nick Zito and D. Wayne Lukas do what they were born to do. Will we see the start of the first triple crown run since Affirmed in 1978? Or perhaps Secretariat's track record of 1:59:40 from all the way back in 1973 will finally be broken. That would be a shock considering the probable condition of the track, but if time has taught us anything about the Derby, it's to expect the unexpected.
I'm picking Pioneerof the Nile as the horse I hope to win. With a race record of 8-5-0-1 and a recent win at Santa Anita in California, the colt is no slouch, but has never run on anything but synthetic and turf, so he's a bit of an underdog in the dirt (make that mud) of Churchill Downs. He's Bob Baffert's horse, a trainer synonymous with horse racing, and one I've always liked.
Nevertheless, the field is crowded with low-odds favorites: Friesan Fire, Dunkirk and I Want Revenge all could easily win the Derby, with Hold Me Back, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, the jockey that rode Big Brown to victory last year, a possible spoiler.
But Pioneerof the Nile is my ride, and I wish him all the best today. If the current weather is any indication, the track will be sloppy at best, so they'll be plenty of mud flying as they tear for the finish. Post time is around 6pm EST on NBC so tune in to watch the 2009 run for the roses!
