This is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather has begun to stay consistently pleasant, the grass is getting greener and when it’s the first Saturday of May, it means it’s time for the running of the Kentucky Derby! I basically have zero experience with horses. I rode one at a petting zoo when I was five or 6, but because I was a little kid that could very well have been a pony or even a donkey. Other than that, I couldn’t tell you anything about a horse or horse racing. Growing up, it was always an event my family looked forward to watching. And if a gray horse was racing, we were cheering loud for it. the only reason for that was because it was the “ugly duckling” of the bunch. I don’t remember one winning, but I will remember if this guy wins tomorrow.
This colt’s name is Essential Quality and he has the highest winning odds for tomorrow’s race. I’ve never gotten attached to a horse that was racing and always want the race to be exciting and safe for the horses and riders. And while I still want it that way, I hope this guy smokes the pack. I literally couldn’t even tell you why other than he has the prettiest coat I’ve ever seen and gray horses rarely get the spotlight when it’s Derby time. I text my wife during this blog and asked why I’ve become so smitten with this guy in less than 24 hours. So as the Call-To-Post plays tomorrow, I’ll be mixing up another Mint Julip and bracing myself for what should be a heck of running of the 147th Kentucky Derby. Cheers to Essential Quality!