I like that horse!

Like many good Americans I go to the Kentucky Derby every year to view a spectacular horse race with Triple Crown hopes and possibilities via Twentieth Century Technology and a seat in the front row facing the Tele.

This year I had no clue of what was happening so like other good American Men I “Serfed the Cable” as stupefied broadcasters filled two hours of network time with race trivia and boring interviews.

I am always amazed by the abundance of channels available and total lack of a single thing worth watching. I had no qualms about flicking back to the race only to find it hadn’t started yet. Fortunately my boredom was temporarily interrupted by a nature call, but even that turned out to be a false alarm.

An eternity later I was thrilled to see the horses beginning their trot to the starting gates with little tiny riders on their backs. I wondered how a race would go if they carried fat guys?

As I said before I knew nothing of any of them and was just hoping for a good race. OH BOY! I was not disappointed!

Three quarters of the race were like any other but as the horses came around the final turn I saw one with eyes that would have glowed in the dark. Even without binoculars, or zooms, anyone could see the horse had fire in his eyes!

I said to my dog, “He’s gone!” – A sure enough Barbaro left the rest in a cloud of dust. My dog misunderstood and came back with his lease but I quickly changed the subject.

A Triple Crown and history were well in reach of a horse that I loved immediately because he had the heart of a winner. He was undefeated in all previous races and on his way to Racing Immortality.

The Preakness changed everything.

Now Barbaro, that gallant charger is recovering from surgery that still may take his life. At the very least his racing career is over. IF he were human he would be devastated and take to the bottle, but he is of course a horse. What kind of a life will he have?

I’ll tell you one thing. Those who are concerned with his recovery need only find Doctor Doolittle, or someone else who can speak his language, and tell Barbaro what he’ll be “used for” the rest of his life. That horse will recover faster than a touch from ET!

Can you imagine being used for stud service for life? With a different filly every day!…with no commitment!…and at only three years old!

Here’s to you Barbaro! May you recover quickly and live long!

Cheers,
By George