Derby Fever

In a mere 12 days, a crowd of thousands, wearing all manner of dress (and hats!), will raise their mint juleps skyward as the strains of "My Old Kentucky Home" waft through the air. Minutes later, 20 three-year-old colts will sidestep, eyeball the crowd and arch their necks, as they warm up for the Big Dance. They will enter the gates as mere colts, and leave as a crush of men. They will stream by the cheering crowd, thunder in their hooves and resounding in the air. Snorts, yells of jockeys will follow, as they round the first turn, heading for the backstretch. On and on they will go, fighting for the lead, fighting to keep their position, fighting the dirt being flung in their faces. At last, the Twin Spires will emerge around the bend. Some will tire and fade, others will grind on, and still others will stream toward the front. And as the wire approaches, one of these jockeys will cluck to his horse, and show him the whip, and that horse will break away from the pack, and cross the wire first.

That horse, whomever he may be, will be crowned King of Racing, be adorned with a blanket of the reddest roses, and showered with love and affection.

And later on that day, his name will be painted onto the walls of Churchill Downs, forever more the winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby.

There is no other race like this one in the world, this event come the First Saturday in May, every May, since 1875. This is the race that begins the infamous Triple Crown series. The race that the immortal Secretariat won, whose race time still lives on as the fastest time in history. The race that Kings and Sheiks, Billionaires and the Everyman desire to win. To win the Derby, as a trainer, owner, jockey and horse, means that you belong to an elite group of people, raised up among peers.

It is a Kingmaker, a Queenmaker, and a test of true mettle.

For the next 12 days, I will cover each of the horses who are as of now, running in this year's race. It's my favorite time of year, and I hope that you'll enjoy my take on the Run for the Roses!