151st Kentucky Derby

[Choatecav]

A half mile South of Bug Tussle, other than the local stock car races and high school basketball teams an interest in sports was considered somehow not socially appropriate. Good Christian men had to milk cows, and supply our mothers with money. Sporting events were for the beer joint crowd.

This social taboo did not apply to the Indy 500, the World Series, the Heavyweight Champion of the World title matches, and of course, the annual Run for the Roses at the Kentucky Derby.

We knew all the horses, and picked a favorite, and knew that horse would only have one chance at fame and glory one time.

Our mothers tried to minimize the mint juleps and gambling that went along with it.

We knew we’d only have one run for the roses on this world here below.

Oh, I know what you mean. I was raised up in about as strict a "church environment" as you can get. Why even owning a deck of playing cards was considered sinful..... But I sure do enjoy watching those ponies run.... The speed, the power, the grace. A true wonder of creation.

 

[Sig]

Almost every time someone sees our Quarter horses run, they say something like, "dang, you should put that thing in the races!"
I say that our Quarters wouldn't do great in a 10 furlong race......but in one furlong, I'd bet pink slips.
Race built Thoroughbreds needs time to build up to 38-41mph or so, a good Quarter horse gets there quickly but only over short distances.
At the Derby a Quarter would do great in the first quarter mile, it would be 15 lengths ahead, but would be dead last at 3/4 mile....but they can make those quick bursts all day long.
We've got an Arabian mutt that can run all day at 30mph and would beat any Thoroughbred at 20 furlongs.
Like they say, it's all in the recipe.

 

[Choatecav]

Almost every time someone sees our Quarter horses run, they say something like, "dang, you should put that thing in the races!"
I say that our Quarters wouldn't do great in a 10 furlong race......but in one furlong, I'd bet pink slips.
Race built Thoroughbreds needs time to build up to 38-41mph or so, a good Quarter horse gets there quickly but only over short distances.
At the Derby a Quarter would do great in the first quarter mile, it would be 15 lengths ahead, but would be dead last at 3/4 mile....but they can make those quick bursts all day long.
We've got an Arabian mutt that can run all day at 30mph and would beat any Thoroughbred at 20 furlongs.
Like they say, it's all in the recipe.

You're right on this. The explosive power of a Q horse is such that nothing can keep up with it's surge. Sometimes the rider has difficulty staying on. We've got a couple in our gang and on cool mornings, when I let them out of the barn, it is a treat to see them blast off, kicking up and farting, ha.

The staying power, however, of the T-bred is a wonder to behold. When they thunder down into the first turn and are traveling 40 mph, you can literally feel the impact of the hooves in your chest, even with 160,000 people screaming. They keep this up for a mile and a quarter at the Derby. Preakness is one mile, but the "hoss" is the Belmont where they go for 1 1/2 miles. And there is only two weeks rest between each race so the grueling task is all the more amazing. For the last six or seven years, they have pulled the Ky Derby winner out of the Preakness because it is so demanding. I heard yesterday that they are doing the same with Sovereignty.

Then, as in 1973, you get a complete freak of nature, like Secretariat who not only wins the first two races in record times, but then goes out and runs the Belmont and wins by 31 lengths!!!. It defies everything we think we know about horse endurance.

Sorry for rambling on here. Just a fascinating subject for me.......

 

[Sig]

You're right on this. The explosive power of a Q horse is such that nothing can keep up with it's surge. Sometimes the rider has difficulty staying on. We've got a couple in our gang and on cool mornings, when I let them out of the barn, it is a treat to see them blast off, kicking up and farting, ha.

The staying power, however, of the T-bred is a wonder to behold. When they thunder down into the first turn and are traveling 40 mph, you can literally feel the impact of the hooves in your chest, even with 160,000 people screaming. They keep this up for a mile and a quarter at the Derby. Preakness is one mile, but the "hoss" is the Belmont where they go for 1 1/2 miles. And there is only two weeks rest between each race so the grueling task is all the more amazing. For the last six or seven years, they have pulled the Ky Derby winner out of the Preakness because it is so demanding. I heard yesterday that they are doing the same with Sovereignty.

Then, as in 1973, you get a complete freak of nature, like Secretariat who not only wins the first two races in record times, but then goes out and runs the Belmont and wins by 31 lengths!!!. It defies everything we think we know about horse endurance.

Sorry for rambling on here. Just a fascinating subject for me.......

The Thoroughbreds have been bred for endurance. Between the length and slope of their croup, to their superior heart and lung function makes them magnificent beasts.
Put side by side Thoroughbreds look shockingly different than other horses. Their hight, length and rear mass can be stunning.
A local guy has owned dozens of retired or failed race horses and harness horses for decades.
He was a top local Sulky racer for decades and taught me a lot about hoof care, he is also a top notch farrier.

 

[Choatecav]

The Thoroughbreds have been bred for endurance. Between the length and slope of their croup, to their superior heart and lung function makes them magnificent beasts.
Put side by side Thoroughbreds look shockingly different than other horses. Their hight, length and rear mass can be stunning.
A local guy has owned dozens of retired or failed race horses and harness horses for decades.
He was a top local Sulky racer for decades and taught me a lot about hoof care, he is also a top notch farrier.

I've always said that a person who knows hoof care AND is a top farrier, in many ways is as valuable as a good Vet. You have to have that foundation solid (feet, legs, etc.) or nothing else matters.

 

[Sig]

I've always said that a person who knows hoof care AND is a top farrier, in many ways is as valuable as a good Vet. You have to have that foundation solid (feet, legs, etc.) or nothing else matters.

I only get called when there is an issue with a hoof. I service my own horses and mules hooves, but otherwise it's splits, infections and injuries. A horse or cow with a hurting hoof is a real joy.

 

[huntertrw]

Wait, you mean there was a horse race?

 

[Choatecav]

Wait, you mean there was a horse race?

View attachment 390889

Ha, yeah, I saw a photo and write-up about her. She made quite a stir.

Bless her heart..... it is not her fault that she could not afford a big enough top to cover her bosoms...

 

[huntertrw]

She brings to mind the lyrics of an old Jerry Jeff Walker song which said, in part:

"Then I met another. Wasn't too good lookin', but juggs!
I'm not saying she was a big chick or anything, but one time I did ask her what size bra she wore.
She said 6 7/8.
I said. my God , what did you measure 'em with?
She said, a Stetson."