The Kentucky Derby is like the Super Bowl, Indianapolis 500 the opening of the Olympics, the Masters, and Wimbledon. It’s not just a horse race, it’s an international event, where people come to Churchill Downs on Derby Day. For that one day of the year, the eyes of the world are focused on Louisville, Kentucky and it’s the place to see and be seen and mint juleps are everyone’s favorite libation.
This year the favored horse was Always Dreaming, a three year old whose sire was Bodemeister and his dam was Above Perfection. The legendary Northern Dancer was on both sides of his pedigree. He was bred by Santa Rosa partners. Always Dreaming is owned by a consortium of six owner-investor groups and is trained by Todd Pletcher. John Velazquez is the jockey. When Velazquez signed on people started taking notice. Dreaming ran two races as a two year old and was runner up in both. In his first race as a three year old at Tampa Bay Downs, he scored his first victory. Despite not having won a race as a two year old, Dreaming found himself the favorite at the Derby going into the Paddock at 9 to 2 odds. When the starting bell rang Dreaming took the lead on a wet, muddy but fast track. After the half way mark, Dreaming was never seriously challenged and won by two and three fourths lengths. 20-1 long shot Look at Lee finished second. So now it’s on to Pimlico for the Preakness on May 20. We will find out if Always Dreaming has Triple Crown potential.
Cubs Lose the Longest Game
After playing 6 hours and 5 minutes and 18 innings Sunday night, the Champion Chicago Cubs went down to defeat at the hands of the New York Yankees, 5-4. The game is officially the longest game ever played in Major League Baseball history. The game also featured 48 strikeouts — a single game major league record. Fifteen pitchers total toed the mound in the game — eight for the Cubs and seven for the Yanks. The Yankees are 21-9 in the American League east and the Cubs are 16-15 in the National League Central.
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