It was a good run while it lasted

I took out time out of my day's activities, around 6:52, to watch the Belmont as California Chrome attempted to complete the Triple Crown. Sadly, that didn't happen; instead Tonalist won, leaving California Chrome in a tie for fourth.

We haven't had a Triple Crown winner since 1978. Carter was President. Grease was the big movie of the year, and disco was in full swing. The last horse who accomplished this was Affirmed; he is buried nearby my home on the Darley Stud horse farm, which I have visited. I was 11 years old when he won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont, and firmly in my horsey-girly phase, as a friend calls it. I particularly loved the books of Marguerite Henry, such as Black Gold, King of the Wind, Misty of Chincoteague, Stormy, Misty's Foal, Justin Morgan Had a Horse, and Brighty of the Grand Canyon. I was particularly taken with the story of Black Gold, winner of the 1924 Kentucky Derby, who wnen he was seven ran a race where he broke down yet still finished the race on three legs, leading to his euthanisation and burial at the New Orleans Fairgrounds. Black Gold never raced in the Preakness or Belmont, instead winning several state derbies. But he had spirit, and I suppose it is the spirit of horses I admire so much, even though, despite living in 'The Horse Capital of the World', I don't really have much experience with them and in fact have to avoid them because I'm terribly allergic to them. :)

Anyway, I'm sorry that California Chrome's dreams were dashed. But at least it was a safe race and I hope he continues to excellent things.

Well

The horses I picked came in 1st (California Chrome), 4th (Wicked Strong), and 5th (Samraat). Not bad, really. So glad it was a clean race and everything worked out fine. For a complete listing in order of finish, you can check out the Bleacher Report. I think if I'd placed a $2 bet on each to win, I'd have made $!0. :) Ah, well. A had Danza to win, Wildcat Red to place, and California Chrome to show, so he would have won $9 on a $2 bet. But he chose two of the horses in the top three. I think if Wicked Strong had had a little more space he might have won, so he might be one to look for in terms of the Belmont. The last time a Triple Crown winner was crowned was Affirmed back in 1978. I've visited Affirmed's grave at Darley Stud, a nearby horse farm (pictured to the right).

After the Derby we watched What Lies Beneath with Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford, which was pretty good, and now I'm home and ready for bed. Still not sure if we'll be playing tomorrow. Good night.

Yay!

I got my Amazon.com gift card today. $100 free to spend; not bad for doing nothing more than paying bills and shopping. I went ahead and ordered the digital voice recorder and a CD. I was going to get the recorder and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Latin, but I didn't have enough with the tax (just my luck, we have a distribution centre here in Lexington, so we're taxed up front--although maybe that means I'll get it faster). Also, the shipping was free. So I'm happy.

Anyway, just thought I'd update. Oh, and I'm glad Big Brown won the Preakness. I hope we have a Triple Crown winner this year. He looks like he very well could do it. The Belmont's a longer race that tends to break the streak, though.

Good night.