Kentucky Derby
Speaking of the Derby...
Being at a horse race a couple of weeks ago has piqued my interest in the Kentucky Derby. If you need a horse to cheer for, I submit to you Afleet Alex and a few reasons to cheer for him.
- The horse had to be bottle fed after birth, because his mother could not nurse.
- His breeder was diagnosed with cancer in 2002 and given 3 months to live but he'll be at Churchill Downs tomorrow.
- He is owned by a group of everyday people from Philadelphia (no multi-million dollar, George Steinbrenner types here).
- He will be ridden by a 26-year old jockey who wasn't supposed to be racing in the derby, but who is so close to the horse that they both had a lung infection at the same time.
- The trainer of Afleet Alex has been working with horses for 30 years, but finally (this is his first Derby, too) has a chance to validate his life's work.
Read this article on espn.com by Pat Forde, to get the full effect.
I see the jaded look in your eye. I hear the distrust in your voice. Your defenses are up, your cynicism is keen.Too many dark, divisive stories have diminished the games you once loved unconditionally and naively. There are steroids in baseball and officiating conspiracy theories in the NBA playoffs -- but then again, at least there are NBA playoffs. There is no such competition for the Stanley Cup.
But here gallops your spring pick-me-up. Good old horse racing, coming through again, right on cue. Here is a story you can wrap your arms around, without skepticism. Here is a story that won't stop, about a horse that won't stop delivering new thrills and fresh goosebumps.
Here is Afleet Alex, heir to the warm feelings left by Kentucky Derby predecessors Funny Cide and Smarty Jones. He's ready to run for the roses Saturday. He's ready to reward the dreamers who helped him get this far. And he's ready to remind the jaded that it's still a joy to be a sports fan.
