There is no Joy in Mudville

I did my homework for this blog post. I had some great stats to share with everyone. I’m posting something anyway, but not in the kind of joy I anticipated.

Seconds ago, California Chrome failed to capture the illusive Triple Crown. I don’t like, and never did like, his owner. He’s on TV crying fowl and calling the winners all cowards. What a jerk. Love the horse, hate the owner. California Chrome is an awesome horse, and I’m pretty sure he would be ashamed of his owner too.

This is the longest long shot in the entire sporting world. To even understand it, we have to look at global circumstances for comparisons.

Affirmed was the last triple crown winner in 1978. I don’t think there is a triple crown horse living today.

There is a Super Bowl and a World Series every year. There is a bid for the crown too, but it’s different. Sure, one horse wins the Kentucky Derby every year. To win the Triple Crown that horse, and only that horse, has to win two more prestigious races. After the Preakness, the bid for the Triple Crown is over most years. It’s kind of a rare thing to have a candidate for the Crown in the Belmont Stakes at all. It happened this year.

Here are a few of those global situations for comparison.

Since 1978 the USA has sent troops into harms way half a dozen times.

Paul VI was Pope in 1978, there have been four more since him.

The Summer Olympics have been held 10 times since Affirmed won it all.

The only thing I could find that is more rare was the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953.

In fishing we say the ones we don’t catch make the ones we do all the more special. I’m looking at the Triple Crown the same way. I hope I live long enough to see it again.

Always check the odds

I just watched California Chrome win the Kentucky Derby. I watch the derby every year, maybe it’s part of my love for retro things. In an age where we talk Mach speeds, it just makes me happy.

California Chrome has a cool story too. The breeder bought his dam for about $8000. In other words, he’s about a $10,000 horse. People pay millions of dollars to buy a derby horse. I think this story is awesome. It has an almost Disney feel to it.

CC was the favorite yesterday. He was the favorite all day right up to post time. There is no guarantee the odds on favorite will win, and many times they don’t. It always pays to give the favorite a look though; that’s why it’s the favorite. I’ll probably skip the mint julep tonight. I’m a bourbon lover, but the mint isn’t my thing.

In other news; we put a microwave on our Sears card. Sometimes things happen and you have to deal with them.

I got my fruit tree branches all cut up, and the yard is making progress. I still have rose bushes that need tending, and fruit to thin. I think I’m done for today though.

I hope everyone out there had a great Saturday.