My family and I went to visit my grandma's new apartment when I was 10 (almost 11). For some reason Grandma never turned the TV off when she had visitors, and it would stay on. I think she turned the volume down somewhat. This was a long visit (Long even by adult standards) and I was watching whatever images were on the TV. A lot of pretty horses were loaded up into a starting gate, that was interesting, especially since 10-11 is the cusp of the horse longing phase of a young girl's life.
So the horses started running, and I was watching. No big deal. Then three-fourths of the ways through some horse from almost the back, a horse that had no chance to my eye, took off and just ran like mad. I don't know when I stood up and began screaming. Then he won! I commenced hopping up and down screaming. Then I noticed my family looking at me. Dad, a sports fan, watched the replay and explained that horses hang back sometimes to give a big burst at the end.
I found this fascinating. It fostered in me a love of the Kentucky Derby (because of course it was the '73 Kentucky Derby) and I watched all of Secretariat's races (because of course the horse was Secretariat). I learned the importance of hanging back so you can annihilate the competition later (not that I ever used this information - well, maybe the hanging back part).
Here's some video of Secretariat hanging back in second place until he destroys the competition in the Belmont Stakes. And if you want to see him win the Derby, join me as I watch the Derby Saturday - they always replay his Derby win. Every year I watch the Derby, waiting for another big Secretariat moment with a new horse, but no. That record remains unchallenged.
I've always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby and wear a proper hat and drink mint juleps.
And in somewhat related equine news, I saw a man walking his horse today while on the way to work. Mind you, the area in which I live does have some horse owners, so it's not out of the ordinary to see horses on the street, but it's still mighty funny seeing a pony gets its morning walk. Hee.
Posted by: Catherine | May 06, 2006 at 11:25 AM
I think of going every year, and every year Secretariat isn't there so I'm glad I didn't. Even though this year's horse did quite nicely. And what the hey? They didn't show the Secretariat clip this year. Have they forgotten?
Posted by: TheQueen | May 07, 2006 at 12:18 AM