The Most Wonderful Time of Year

Tomorrow is the day of the Kentucky Derby, one of the only three sporting events I actually make an effort to watch (the other two being the Preakness and the Belmont). I love watching those horses run. It's a thing of beauty; it's all they know so they give it their all. Remember Giacomo and Afleet Alex from last year? Giacomo was a long shot and won it while Afleet Alex ran an amazing race that was all heart. That animal went off the rail and back in. It was one of the most amazing things I ever say. Even right now I can see the horse's determination to win. Talk about your ifs; if only the jockey had sat that horse before Afleet Alex could have been a Triple Crown winner.

I don't know a whole helluva' lot about horse racing. I just love to watch them run. A month ago I was stoked about Bluegrass Cat, but he just got a jockey this week. However, his trainer is one of those guys who consistently turns out great horses and the jockey has ran the derby before.

I'm also interested in Barbaro. Odds are looking pretty good for him. He's just a beautiful animal. Bob and John is another horse I'm watching. The odds have been slowly slipping, but there's a great jockey on him so it could be the one.

One of the prettiest horses in the whole damn thing is Steppenwolfer. He's a blue roan/gray beast that looks more refined than anything you'd see in the Louvre. I know my granma's going for him because she always bets the grays.

Sweetnorthersaint is a little guy that looks like he's built for speed. If he's not weighted down too much, his lean build might be the one you see taking the roses. From what I can tell this 10-1 shot is good in the mud, though it looks like it's not going to be all that sloppy. But still, you never can tell!

Though the Derby is exciting, I love the Preakness. There's so much at stake for the winner of the Derby that the drama is just overpowering. The dreams made after the winner crosses the line at the Derby are either furthered or shattered at the Preakness. What more could you ask for?

So you see the five I'm pulling for. I'm still trying to pick a favorite. Who you pickin'?