Another "Greatest Spectacle in Racing"

Today was an iconic American event, what some might consider America's most famous race.  Depending on your background (socioeconomic standing or region of the country) you might think I'm talking about the Indianapolis 500 or the Daytona 500.  I suppose a case could even be made for the Boston Marathon to claim this designation.  But I'm referring to another much-loved race that takes place in the spring

May 7th was the 137th running of arguably the most famous horse race in America -- the Kentucky Derby.  This is the closest that Americans come to equaling Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot in England.  The men are dressed in their best suits and the women try to outdo one another with stylish, and sometimes outrageous, hats -- just like their British counterparts.  It certainly is spectacular.

And then there's the horse race. 

What a lot of people don't realize is that the Kentucky Derby is only one race in a full day of racing at Churchill Downs in Louisville.  I'm sure that more than half of the people who watch the race on television believe that everyone just shows up for "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sport."  But there really is more to the Derby experience on the first Saturday in May than the Run for the Roses, the famous race of three year old thoroughbreds.

This year the winner was Animal Kingdom.  One of the favorites, Mucho Macho Man, finished third.  All in all, it was a pretty thrilling race as Animal Kingdom moved to the outside from the middle of the pack and took the lead on the front straightaway, winning by 2 3/4 lengths over Nehro. 

Animal Kingdom's time of 2:02.04 falls somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as finish times go.  It probably will be quite awhile before any horse is able to surpass the fastest time, 1:59.40, by the all-time great and Triple Crown winner, Secretariat.  But each running of the Kentucky Derby has its own drama and charm -- filled with stories that tug at one's heartstrings and traditions that have lasted since 1875.

The Run for the Roses.  The first leg of the Triple Crown.  The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sport.  One race has it all.

The Kentucky Derby