WOW!!! Mom, love, remembrance, and the Kentucky Derby. I’m full of these words and feelings today. May 7th would have been my mother’s birthday. She passed away on December 27th, 2016. This is the first Kentucky Derby where mom won’t call and say she watched on TV and discuss the race and commentary. This year she would have talked about PATCH the horse with only one eye. She would have asked me how I did and if the winner could take the Preakness or even the Triple Crown. There will be no call this year after “the first Saturday in May”, after “the most exciting two minutes in sports”, after “the first jewel in the Triple Crown.” I’m pretty sure she watched the race if they allow that in Heaven. I’m certain that is where she went, but whether they show race replays I’m not so sure.
Every Derby the people watching talk of past races, and upsets and big wins (or losses). I suppose I should address my own 2017 wagering results. I told everyone who’d listen that there were two horses to beat in the Kentucky Oaks (the equivalent to the Derby for three year old fillies) and sure enough Abel Tasman won at about 10 to 1. Of course I partnered that knowledge with other races and cashed zilch. I’m sure mom would have laughed. In the Kentucky Derby I liked all long shots, and got my wish except the winner Always Dreaming (the favorite) and cashed zip again. I’m not sure mom would have laughed this time with all the money I had in the race. Still, life and horse handicapping are long perspective games. I stayed a little after the Derby and played Santa Anita where I hit a double (two races in a row bet before the first race goes off). One horse paid $40 and the next $94 (if you’re curious ask any horseplayer what that ticket might have paid). That ticket when cashed paid for all my furious handicapping and multiple bets on and around the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Perhaps, the gods of gambling with some help from mom smiled down on me.
Just one quote today. I’ve used it before but it fits:
“What happens to the tears we do not shed.”
~~Jules Renard
There were many lovely women young and old in stunning hats at the Derby. I will be thinking of my mom as we approach Mother’s Day. May all the moms in the world know they are loved.
