Do you know that tomorrow is the biggest horse race of the year? Tomorrow is Kentucky Derby Day. Starts at 3:00, NBC.
Now, as to how to pick a winner. My method is very scientific and it has worked quite a few times. First, if there is a gray horse running, pick him. If there isn't a gray horse, then watch the way they approach the gate. If they dance along, they are happy and will run good. If he has his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth it is even better and to top it off, check the set of his ears and eyes. If his ears are slightly cocked as though listening and his eyes are interested, there's your boy. With this method I have picked quite a few winners and in one race my picks came in one and two. Did I mention that I never bet. If I bet, the horse would probably break a leg in the gate. And it isn't fair to choose a horse after they start running.
I'll try that tomorrow. I'll be making a big bowl of strawberries ( and short cake) to take to an evening bonfire. I'll watch while I work.
Wilma thanks for the thread. I love horse racing and betting on the horses. I learned from " the boys" that got me interested in horse racing (Uncle Fear, Dennis, Jim, Donald) and taught me a bit about drinking brown whiskey that it not important to be able to pick who wins; it is the size of the ticket you cash. I will break that rule a little here. The only time to pick a gray horse to win is if she is a female running against the boys.
David
I beg to differ on that. The only time to bet on a gray to win is if she is a female? A female doesn't have to be gray to win.
Now wouldn't this be a great group to see the Derby with? I like horse racing, got hooked when I was a girl. Native Dancer was the star, and I couldn't get enough of all that excitement. Newspaper clippings hung all over my bedroom, and my pitiful attempts at sketching were alongside. And racing is still fun! :D :D
It sure is and that is where I will be tomorrow. In front of my two TV sets, watching. I might even bring the set in from the bedroom. Can't get too many views of the race.
Quote from: Wilma on May 01, 2009, 04:59:28 PM
I beg to differ on that. The only time to bet on a gray to win is if she is a female? A female doesn't have to be gray to win.
Wilma, that is not what I said. Knowing your keen eye for detail I think if you re-read my post you will agree that is not what I said.
David
David, Ted always said and I quote, "Never bet on the grey horse in the third race"! Of course I would not take this advice if there were two grey horses! LOL! ;D
David, you are right. I didn't remember it right. You are right. Always bet on the old gray mare.
Grey Horses....aren't they to old to be running with the boys ;)
Louisville, Kentucky is a magical place to be during "Derby Week". We lived there for a few years, and even though we never went to the actual Kentucky Derby race, there are related activities and festivities going on all week throughout the entire community that make it such a fun place. Of course, going to Churchill Downs at any time of the year is a nostalgic and exciting adventure. We look forward to watching the race on TV each year.
Dealing with those rude boys is how they got their grey hair in the first place. ;D ;D ;D Patyrn, I'm jealous, I wanna go someday.
SDM, are you ready? I think I will select Chocolate Candy as one of my horses.
Billy, you are so funny. ::) ::) ::)
Wilma, I haven't looked at the field. Been working on this auction stuff, haven't even cracked the paper this morning. :'(
SDM, don't forget to take a break. I am selecting Papa Clem as my second horse. Papa Clem is post no. 7 and Chocolate Candy is post no. 11. Seven-Eleven. Get it? Should be a lucky choice, don't you think.
Okay Wilma, here is a two dollar virtual bet on win, place, and show. First will be #6 Friesen Fire, second will be #13 I Want Revenge, and third will be #16 Pioneer Of The Nile. I can see that you like long shots, and they are fun to see them come in. Dons' little grandson was seven the last time they were here (a long while ago), we let him place a bet in one race and that little dude won close to $200.00 at Eureka Downs. They took him to Sheplars and let him buy some fancy boots and duds to take back east with him. He was stepping in tall cotton let me tell you! :D
I picked Fresien Fire because he's a Larry Jones horse.Then Chocolate Candy and Papa Clem
I am adding Dunkirk to my picks. Since I Want Revenge was scratched, Dunkirk is one of the favorites and he is gray, I think.
The old gray mare won the Distaff. Informed Decision was the only gray in the race and none of the others appealed to me so she was my only pick for that race.
So there we have it and I still haven't seen the horses. Papa Clem, Chocolate Candy and Dunkirk and I don't care how they come in as long as they are 1, 2, and 3.
Well that dirty Bird! Ha! Mine That Bird won by a large margin, still haven't seen what horses came in next. Fifty to one long shot! Whooeeee!
Mine That Bird
Pioneer of the Nile
Musket Man
Papa Clem
Chocolate Candy
Wasn't that fun? My boys didn't come in on top but they weren't far behind. Except Dunkirk and he stumbled coming out of the gate. Mine That Bird was flying compared to the rest of them and did you see the way the leaders jumped when they realized they had been overtaken?
I had one winner out of what I was able to watch and she was the old gray mare. I had company during part of the races and could pay attention.
Watch this space for the next race.
Yeah, Wilma, one of mine scratched. But that's okay it was a great race! :D
The Derby was won by the spectacular ride of the jockey. With such a good field of similar ability it really came down to the jockey. Very impressive. Since we were speaking of rules of thumb on how to pick horses. This race proved one of my rules; bonus points for a Cajun jockey. If you aren't a Cajun you can't understand a word they say, but they speak horse.
David
PREAKNESS today. I am not going to tell you who my money was on, but my horses came in 1 and 2. I think the Bird could have taken the lady if they had had just a little more track. Looking forward to Belmont.
I think the thing that really puts it in perspective just how good Rachel Alexander and Calvin Borel are, is the fact that no horse starting in the 13 position has ever won the Preakness.
I didn't know that.
Belmont Stakes. My pick:
Mine That Bird
Chocolate Candy
Dunkirk
Official Results:
Summer Bird
Dunkirk
Mine That Bird
Big surprise. I never even considered Summer Bird.
Neither did anyone else, from the looks of it...Didn't Summer Bird run 11 to 1?
I have to say I had never heard of Calvin Borel before this year. I think he has to be one of the greatest Jockeys of all times. First, First different horse, Third with the original horse. That Jock is one great rider.
David