Dear Derby Diary,

We finally come to the big day. As my Dad used to say, “it’s all over but the shoutin’.” I’m sure there were plenty of owners with sleepless nights. Of course I know for a fact that there were plenty of partiers with sleepless nights as well! Sometimes I ask myself, will this week never end? I’m going to need to sleep until next Wednesday to get over everything I’ve experienced this week.

I’m sure that the infield is already teeming with avid fans and the stands will soon be filled with colorful splashes of hats, one of which will belong to Queen Elizabeth the Second, reigning ruler of England here to watch her very first Bluegrass Derby. Can’t you just picture her jumping up and down and hooting and hollering?

The roses around the track have been trimmed just right, the Mint Julep stands are ready for action and the betting windows are tested and ready. In a short while we will find out first who is our Oaks Champion, soon to follow with our Derby Winner.

I am ready to head out to the track myself but leave you with a Derby poem to get you in the mood:

Racehorses trot
around the parade ring
these wonderful animals
from the sport of kings

The jockeys on board
in colors so bright
like modern day gladiators
into the fight

The public around
the stands do amble
trying to guess
on which to gamble

The windows are open
the lines fill again
enticing the bettors
to give up their gains

The horses are cantering
down to the start
all riders hear
is one beating heart

That of their own
drums in their ears
the tension, adrenalin
drowns out the fears

Horses are locked away
one by one
the gates fly open
the race has begun

Wind beats their faces,
rain stings their eyes
as these galloping stars
race for the prize

The post, it comes nearer
whips they do crack
every effort is made
not to be at the back

Who will end up
in the one, two or three
folks with binoculars
craning too see

The race it is over
gone in a flash
the gamblers curse
as they count out their cash

The winner , a hero
greeted with cheers
the trainer is happy
the owners in tears

with joy unconfined
another horse wins
and all losing tickets
are tossed in trash bins

The eternal optimist
in gamblers sees
the next race’s winner
5 bucks on four, please

Another winner? or loser
they both may be found
on this, horse racing’s
most hallowed ground

Happy Derby Day!

Good luck to all runners!