In the United States:
The 2017 Kentucky Derby
will be run this afternoon at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. This storied event has been called the
fastest two minutes in sports. This
afternoons race will be the 143rd
running of the Kentucky Derby. On May
17, 1875, in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 people, a field of 15
three-year-old horses contested the first Derby. The race has always been held at the
Churchill Downs, which is considered a cathedral in the world of horse racing. The race has always featured and been limited
to three year old thoroughbreds, running
the 1 1/4 miles distance (2 km.). No
horse since Apollo in 1882 has won the Derby without having raced as a two year
old.
The Kentucky Derby is
the first of the Triple Crown of horse racing, including the Preakness Stakes,
run at Pimlico Racecourse, Baltimore, Maryland and New York City's Belmont
Stakes, which follow in the weeks after.
The winner of the Kentucky Derby is considered a potential winner of the
Triple Crown, keeping the horseracing world in suspense until the Preakness
Stakes. The attendance at the Kentucky
Derby ranks first of all races in North America and usually surpasses the
attendance of all other stakes races, including the Preakness Stakes, Belmont
Stakes, and the Breeders' Cup. The Triple Crown has been won by only 12 horses
since 1919.
The Kentucky Derby is
replete with traditions, from the playing of "My Old Kentucky Home"
to Mint Juleps served in souvenir glasses, from the burgoo, the thick stew
served throughout the park, to the elaborate hats worn on Millionaires'
Row. Queen Elizabeth of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, attended the Derby during a US
visit in 2007. The Derby is frequently
referred to as "The Run for the Roses," because a lush blanket
of 554 red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. The
tradition originated in 1883. The Kentucky Derby is the last event in
Louisville's two week Derby Festival, a great time to celebrate springtime in a
beautiful city.
This afternoon, 20 horses will constitute this year's Kentucky Derby field. This morning,
"Always Dreaming" is the odds on favorite to win, followed at this
point by "Mc Cracken," "Classic Empire," and "Irish
War Cry."
In Italy:
The Kentucky Derby is
not the only thoroughbred race before the public eye today. Kicking off on the Island of Sardinia, 200
stud cyclists at the top of their game will be contesting the 100th Giro d'Italia
for the next three weeks. Today sees the
second stage of this annual Grand Tour of cycling. There are three inaugural
stages in Sardinia, then two in Sicily, and then the rest on the Italian
Peninsula, from now until the last Sunday in May. While several of the Kentucky jockeys may be
in pink, only the race leader in the Giro d'Italia wears pink.
Favoured in this year's
race is Nairo Quintana, with Italian Vicenzo Nibali as another strong favorite. A Colombian, "Nairoman" races with
the Spanish Movistar team. Vicenzo
Nibali, an Italian, has been a strong favorite also, representing the hometown
boys now that Sardinian Fabio Aru had to drop out with a knee injury.
Controversy struck the
Giro last week. Two cyclists were
removed because of positive drug tests. Also, a novel and dangerous prize
offered for the first time this year, for the fastest descent from 12
mountains, was dropped, because outside of Italy it was considered novel and
dangerous. Within Italy it seemed like
an awesome idea. Today's stage will show
some beautiful Sardinia scenery, beautiful coastal views from rarely seen parts
of the island. Sunday, and the rest of
the stages, should continue the traditional Giro style of challenging, if
unorthodox and surprising, race courses and stages.
In the USA: National Hockey League Stanley Cup playoffs
continue.
The Pittsburgh Penguins
hold a 3-1 series lead on the Washington Capitals, and hope to put it away in Game 5, scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Saturday in Washington. The Penguins' top player, Sidney Crosby, well
known already to readers of this space, has been out with a concussion, but
took part in a full contact practice yesterday.
Fans hope this means he will be at Game 5, to put the nail in
Washington's coffin.
