Virtual Kentucky Derby = NBC 5/2

[JolyB]

Great story Don. With that background, how could you not pick Citation. I can just imagine how big her smile will be if Citation wins the virtual race. And how big your smile will be if you win the drawing.

[RUFFIAN]

THE 'COLORADO KITTEN' IS NOW ENTERED WITH WHIRLAWAY

SYNONYMOUS WITH HER MIND & PERSONALITY

A WHIRLWIND ON ANY GIVEN DAY!

[Plenilune]

First, here are two VERY good documentaries when Thoroughbreds were really true race horses:

Citation – who was freaking phenomenal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1803k520Mi0&t=9s

Whirlaway was amazing, brat that he was:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_50pQR3AYv8

Second, TC winners prior to Secretariat ran such different conditions and careers I'm not sure how to estimate the older horses versus post 1973. That means iron versus aluminum shoes, training strategies, number of races run at two and three, lots of things. Older horses were RACED, not babied, not like today where they are raced maybe seven times a year, then of course retired at the end of their three year old lives. Older horses were sometimes raced with one week's rest and still won! Citation ran 29 times as a two year old! He won 19 from 20 races as a three year old!

Third, how is the program for the virtual race written. Is there really a random program? Or is it based on their 2 and 3 year old races and applied to the outcome? How could that be, since older horses ran more races prior to the KY Derby than post 1973? Maybe I'm way off base as I have not looked at all the horses' careers. It's just my perception that the older horses were tested, tried and true, more than post 1973.

That being said, because he's my Thoroughbred hero and sparked my love of horse racing, I want Secretariat to win. I have to admit his Preakness was my favorite, the way he passed all those horses in the first turn as if they were just jogging and he was steam rolling along.

Yet, I would be extremely happy if Citation won. Talk about a tremendous machine! Wow! Watch that video link. What a story, both human and equine. Got to give a lot of respect to both for Citation and his connections.

[DonGuido]

Thanks Plen. The ESPN Citation story was very well done.

[DonGuido]

I was disappointed in the elongated program focusing pretty much on American Pharoah's Derby. I mean we love AP but . . . ? The virtual Derby race was also disappointing and way too predictable, of course they had to make Secretariat win. I was hoping we'd see each Triple Crown winner's Derby race. They had plenty of time to do that. Not well done NBC, if you ask me.

Too much time spent with Bailey and what's his name, you know what's his name, who cares? After being so disappointed by that telecast, I was lifted up at the end of racing at seeing the wonderful Trail's End tribute to all at Oaklawn. Never seeing that before of being aware of it, I was emotionally moved by the calmness (almost reverence) of the horses lined up in a row. And at these times, meaning even a little more. One of the better things of seen in any sport in a very long time.

WELL DONE Oaklawn park for the entire meet. And in reality I'm sure we'll all be very happy not to have to play Oaklawn again for quite awhile.

Be SAFE everyone and take care of yourself and loved ones!!!

[RUFFIAN]

DON
“ I was lifted up at the end of racing at seeing the wonderful Trail's End tribute to all at Oaklawn.

Never seeing that before of being aware of it, I was emotionally moved by the calmness (almost reverence) of the horses lined up in a row.

And at these times, meaning even a little more.
One of the better things of seen in any sport in a very long time. “
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INSPIRING TO KNOW THAT OTHERS WERE AFFECTED AS MUCH AS I WAS

I HAD TEARS FALLING AS I WATCHED THAT TRIBUTE
....... WITH VARIOUS EMOTIONS WASHING OVER ME

HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE
AT LEAST NOT WITH HORSES!!!

They said they do that at the end of the last race of the end of the season
every year but this was the first I’ve ever seen anything like it

I feel blessed to have witnessed it

[cal828]

Funny thing is, as many times as I've been to the Arkansas Derby, I've never seen that either. The only explanation I have for that fact is that I usually leave right after the Derby because of the crush of 50K + fans trying to get out of the track all at the same time. I like the racing on Derby Day, but it can be pretty uncomfortable with all the people there and even worse when it rains and drives everyone inside. I haven't been in recent years, it might be a lot better because of the ability to bet on your devices. I was a popular guy last year. My daughter was out there and calling me for picks and sharing them with people around her. I think they were a bunch of first timers at the track and it sounded like first time race players. I did ok that day and was glad to help, but was thankful I didn't give them a bunch of losers.