LET’S TALK HORSES!
It’s that time of year again to watch the run for the roses, aka THE MOST EXCITING TWO MINUTES IN SPORTS!
I am not sure when my love for horse races became a passion for me, but I could hazard a guess that it might have something to do with my childhood, punctuated with a visit to Kentucky a number of years later. I have always loved horses and riding, (I was born and raised in Missoula, Montana). When I was about 10, my uncle Sid had several horses which he kept at the fairgrounds in Missoula. (They were race horses, but at that age I didn’t understand that there was a considerable difference in temperament from the Morgan/Quarter horse I liked to ride). Every time I would see my uncle Sid I would beg to ride his horses. One day he told me that I could stop by any time that I wanted and ride–MUSIC TO MY EARS! One day, sometime in early July, I walked the couple of miles from my house to the fair grounds. I found my uncle Sid standing by the horse stalls. He saddled up one of his horses for me and handed me the reigns. (I was wearing shorts, crop top, and SANDALS). I enthusiastically jumped up on the horse and gave him a swift kick. We were off to the races….literally! In the next 90 seconds, (which seemed like hours), I saw my life flash before my eyes as the horse accelerated to mach speed. The fence at the other end of the grounds was coming toward me at a frightening pace so I pulled up the slack in the reigns as quickly as I could while hanging on to the horse’s mane by my teeth….(Ok, a little exaggeration, but it felt about that dire!) I pulled back with all my strength and SCREAMED. The horse came to a jolting halt, just short of running smack into the fence. I dismounted, legs wobbling uncontrollably, and proceeded to lead the horse back to the stalls.
You might think that that experience would have ‘cured’ me from my love affair with horses. Quite the opposite. They are magic to me and I adore them! I especially admire and respect the jockeys and what they do every time they get up and ride. I will take a horse race over a car race any day…but probably won’t ride another race horse in this life time.
The Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the United States, dating back to 1875. The race has continuously produced “the most exciting two minutes in sport”, uninterrupted, even when coinciding with historical events like The Great Depression and World Wars I and II.
Here are a few facts to know about the Kentucky Derby:
- Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark was the Founder of the Kentucky Derby
- This race is one and 1/4 miles long.
- The last Triple Crown winner was Justify in 2018.
- The three races in the Triple Crown are:
The Kentucky Derby, held on the first Saturday in May
The Preakness Stakes, held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, on the third Saturday in May,
and finally, The Belmont Stakes, held in June, 3 weeks after The Preakness. - The longest of the three races is the Belmont Stakes at 1 1/2 miles long.
- The last 10 winners of the Kentucky Derby are: Justify 2018, Always Dreaming 2017, NyQuist 2016, American Pharoah 2015, California Chrome 2014, Orb 2013, I’ll Have Another 2012, Animal Kingdom 2011, Super Saver 2010, Mine That Bird 2009 and Big Brown 2008.
- Since 1919 there have been 13 Triple Crown winners. 22 times a horse has won the first two races.
- Jockey, Eddie Arcaro won the Triple Crown twice. He won in 1941 on Whirlaway and again in 1948 on Citation. He is the only jockey to win multiple times.
- On average, 300,000 strawberries and 120,000 Mint Juleps are consumed at the Kentucky Derby.
The 2019 Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 4th. Listed below are the horses, in order of ranking. Who do you think will win, place and show?
Tacitus
Omaha Beach
Vekoma
Plus Que Parfait
Roadster
By My Standards
Maximum Security
Game Winner
Code of Honor
Haikal
Improbable
War of Will
Long Range Toddy
Tax
Cutting Humor
Win Win Win
Country House
Gray Magician
Spinoff
Master Fencer (JPN)
Bodexpress
Signalman
Anothertwistafate
Sueno
Bourbon War
Instagrand
Mucho Gusto
Knicks Go
Owendale
Outshine
Strawberry Bavarian Cream
Equipment
- Food Processor
- 14 small (⅓ cup) dessert dishes
Ingredients
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- ½ cup cold water
- 4 cups strawberries
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp non-fat dry milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Soften (bloom) gelatin by sprinkling it over cold water in a bowl. Place bowl over hot water in a small saucepan and stir until dissolved.
- Wash and hull the strawberries. (NOTE: Remove stems from strawberries after cleaning as excess water may be absorbed through the stem end).Puree berries, lemon juice and sugar, about 40 seconds in a food processor.Add the dissolved gelatin and combine about 5 seconds.Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl and chill, (about 6 minutes), to the consistency of unbeaten egg whites.
- While berries are chilling, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Slowly add the 3 tablespoons of sugar and continue beating until stiff.Fold into the strawberry mixture.
- Whip cream, dry milk and vanilla until stiff and gently fold into strawberry mixture.
- Pour into serving dishes or mold and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours for small dishes, longer if putting in a mold. May be made one day ahead.Serve garnished with whipped cream and strawberries.
Derby Mint Juleps
Ingredients
- 3-5 fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp mint syrup recipe follows
- crushed ice
- ¼ cup good Kentucky bourbon
- 1 fresh mint sprig for garnish
Mint Syrup
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1½ cups filtered water
- 15 fresh mint sprigs
Instructions
- Place mint leaves and syrup in a chilled cup and muddle. Pack cup tightly with crushed ice; add bourbon and mint sprig.
Mint Syrup
- Boil sugar and water, stirring often, 2-3 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add 15 mint sprigs. Cool completely. Cover and chill 24 hours.Strain syrup; discard solids.
Until next time,
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