The Onion Takes on the Kentucky Derby

By Eliza

A very funny moment from the writers over at The Onion, as they imagine what Derby winner I'll Have Another must have been thinking.  A selection: "Then a horn sounded and it scared the hell out of me and everyone was running," the horse added. "And all I could think was, 'I'm only 3 years old. Please, God, I'm only 3.'"

Speaking of Secretariat...

By Kitson

Three weeks ago I blogged about a little great-grandson of Secretariat being pulled out of a dismal and neglectful situation. Here's a updated picture of the chestnut foal and the TB yearling, Willow who suffered the same neglect. They look so much better and appear to be solidly on the road to recovery at Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue.

Doodle 4 Google Secretariat contestant

By Eliza

Those of you who have kids may have had them enter the Doodle 4 Google art contest, in which young artists drew a Google image about a place and time they wanted to visit.  Piper F., in Grade 7 in Heath, Texas, said she wanted to see Secretariat win the Triple Crown.  Gorgeous "doodle" (these are really full-fledged works of art).  Vote for Piper F.!  Click here to see her work.

Story about racehorse trainer Max Hirsch

By Eliza

Derby week racing focus continues with a link to a story I wrote about the great trainer Max Hirsch. . .
Click here.

More in the sobering Times series about racehorse breakdowns

By Eliza

The second installment, this one focusing on casinos and their role in the problem.  Click here.

Exterminator's 1918 Kentucky Derby

By Eliza

More Derby stuff. . .this is historical, though.  Exterminator, the racehorse with whom I am admittedly preoccupied, won the Derby in 1918.  Here is a video of his race.  I love how you can see what a rainy day it had been, the depth of the mud on the track.  You can see photographers picking their way through the muck.  And most of all, there is Exterminator, pulling ahead with what people would start to recognize as his characteristic style, and then wearing his roses at the end, his long head and long body.  Everyone is wearing a hat.

Getting Derby-Ready

By Eliza

Even if you are not a gigantic racing fan, you must know it's almost Derby time.  And as a horse person, you really should have a pick when you walk into that Derby party.  Here is your cheat sheet, and his name is Steve Haskins.  He writes for the Blood-Horse and his choices--"Haskins' Derby Dozen"--are all you need to know about the most exciting two minutes in sports.  Click here.