Captain's Quarters

After our highly anticipated visit to Kroger to watch the crafting of "The Garland of Roses" we headed toward the Ohio River to eat at Captain's Quarters. It was Kristi's idea and it was perfect. I called a week before a had reservation for 8:30 PM.

Captain's Quarters is a restaurant located just off of River Road and the scenery was spectacular. I have always loved driving through the lush, tree lined streets that encase the roads surrounding the river. It was dusk, there was rain, the earth smelled clean and I couldn't help but unroll my window to enjoy the fresh breeze and take photos along the way.

Yes, this was my first trip since Christmas that ventured further than the Lexington airport or our church, so it was a feast to the eyes to have such a scene set before us. I could have spent the night there on the river banks, soaking in the beauty Louisville had to offer. The outdoor seating was closed due to the heavy downpour that hit while we drove, but it was gorgeous and had a Hawaiian vibe flowing through it.

Kristi came bearing gifts- new handmade bows!While the setting was lovely, the company was EVEN BETTER! Todd and Kristi- thanks for such a wonderful evening together. I just can't believe you are leaving in SIX WEEKS. Who ever thought NINE YEARS could go this fast? We are missing you already....

Kentucky Derby 135

Speechless is the word I would use when the race ended. And shocked and even confused. For a full five seconds we had NO IDEA who this dark brown horse with the pink #8 silk carrying a muddy jockey, his arms outstretched to the sky in a victory pose even WAS. Crazy. Unexpected. And so very, very entertaining. This is why we watch, baby!

And we weren't the only ones. Even the great Tom Durkin, who has called more than 68,000 horse races over two decades and is the the "voice" of the Derby, stumbled when trying to name the horse that was quickly distancing himself from the earlier leaders as they raced down the stretch. As he called the race, he didn't even notice this dark horse coming up fast on the rail after the last turn and seemed to need to look at his racing sheet for a name check before he could say, "Mine That Bird." What a memory!

After the race, the reporters were unprepared and unable to ask any meaningful questions to the trainer Chip Woolley, as they were as clueless to the newest Derby winners trek to get to the coveted Winner's Circle.

Everyone was just stunned.

And that's what made it so great.

So who is Mine That Bird?

As I have read tonight, he's got quite a story of his own.

What other Derby contender was purchased for a mere $9,500 at a yearling sale back in October 2007?

What other horse was packed into a van in New Mexico and driven cross country by its trainer on a 21 hour, 2 day trek to get to Churchill Downs?

What other horse was entered after a surprise call from Churchill Downs to point out that they had enough graded stakes earnings to qualify in a 20-horse field and ask if they were coming?

What other horse was entered after the two owners, one being 74 years old, knew this would be there ONLY chance ever to have a horse make it to Churchill Downs?

What other horse was scoffed at for even entering and then ignored during their workouts at Churchill Downs?

What other horse was ridden by a crazed jockey who hails from Louisville and is known to love riding the rail?

What other horse could come from a dismal last place position and then soar to victory in front of over a hundred thousand screaming fans?

What other horse could return $103.20 for a $2 win wager with place and show prices of $54.00 and $25.80, respectively. The exacta was worth $2,074.80? Or make handicappers blink in disbelief with a payoff of $41,500.60. The superfecta returned a staggering $557,006.40?

A 50-1 longshot who upset the greatest horses of its time and pulled out a remarkable victory and made it that look even easy at the end.

From USATODAY.com

Mine That Bird, who did not initially have the Kentucky Derby on his schedule after going winless since last Oct. 5, pulled the second-biggest upset in the 135-year history of the Run for the Roses when he prevailed by 6 3/4 shocking lengths on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

"Dream a little bit," said choked-up co-owner Leonard Black, "and your dreams will come true."

This dream, though, seemed far-fetched even to those most familiar with a gelding who began his career as a $9,500 purchase in October, 2007.

"I didn't have any real feeling I could win the Derby. We wanted to be competitive," said New Mexico-based trainer Bennie Woolley Jr. "I knew he would be more competitive than anybody would give us credit for."

Jockey Calvin Borel, a journeyman before he gained his first Derby triumph aboard Street Sense two years ago, also admitted to having limited faith in a mount he picked up after other jockeys secured top contenders.

"Really and truly, you've got me surprised," said Borel after a masterful last-to-first ride on a sloppy track that allowed him to celebrate well before he crossed the finish line far ahead of runner-up Pioneerof the Nile. "But the horse is in the Derby for a reason."

A reason he proved on his own today on the track. For all the world to see. A reason to celebrate if you ask me or any other racing fan that dared wager their cash and put #8 as down a WINNER before the race unfolded.

It could be that history will regard Mine That Bird as a one-day wonder and one of the flukiest of Derby champions. But now matter how the record books are wriiten he is a Champion. Forever.

Go Baby Go!

So, our seats weren't quite in the Grandstand below the famed Twin Spires, and the only hat that adorned my head today was a Red Soxs baseball cap that kept the rain out of my eyes during one baseball game and two soccer matches. But watching the race surrounded by my sweet husband and kids made it enjoyable and memorable nonetheless.

We all pulled up our front row seats around the TV and watched the Running of the 135th Kentucky Derby. Rich wore his new T-shirt (12th Anniversary Gift- see what a dozen years married to me gets you! Cool, I know....), we sipped our drinks in our Mint Julep glasses, ate slices of Derby Pie, while our new Kentucky Derby Barbie looked glam in her hat and sundress. We sang My Old Kentucky Home loud and proud and we all were sucked in as we watched the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports unfold in the comfort of our very own kitchen.

Yup, lucky me. Derby is great, even if you can't be at Churchill Downs.

Soccer Star

Trey had one of the greatest soccer games of his life this morning. He was quick, aggressive and scored 4 goals.

Of course I was only there to see one of them, as I was bringing Josh and the girls over from Josh's baseball game. Rich dashed off with Trey and Matt while I waited behind for Josh to collect his post game soda and make a quick clothing change for the girls after they happily played in massive, muddy puddles at the ballpark.

Rich was off chasing a wild errant Brynn near the playground after I arrived, so I didn't know the score until the game was over.

In fact, I was not aware Trey played so expertly until another parent, who is also one of Matt's coaches, praised Trey's abilities and amounts of goals. I was just happy I got few decent photos of the shot I managed to see.
Way to go Trey. A soccer superstar in the making.... if we can get him to put down that darn Nintendo DS now and then and run around outside so he can keep up the good work!

The Garland of Roses

"The Garland of Roses" has come to symbolize the Kentucky Derby throughout the world. It is 122 inches long, 22 inches wide and weight approximately 40 lbs. The lining is made of deep green moire bengaline and features the great seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky embroidered on one end and Churchill Downs Event Mark on the other.

More than 400 "Freedom" roses are placed on the garland. Each stem is inserted into its own water vial hidden inside the garland backing, all carefully sewn into place. The roses are framed with a hand-made border of boxwood, camellia and coffee leaves. Custom-made ribbons are tied to the fronds at each end and to the crown of roses at the center.

The final step in the crafting the garland is to place a crown of roses, greenery and ribbons at the center- one rose for each thoroughbred running in the Derby race. A special rose is placed in the center of the arrangement to symbolize the struggle and heart necessary to reach the Winner's Circle.

Upon winning the Kentucky Derby, the jockey is presented with the "Jockey's Bouquet" which is made of 60 matching long stem roses and wrapped with ten yards of red ribbon, and the winning horse is adorned with "The Garland of Roses."
Continuing a tradition that started with the 113th Kentucky Derby, Kroger Master designers are honored to meet at 4 PM on the Friday before the running of the Derby, to begin creating "The Garland of Roses."We arrived at 7:15 PM. Truth be told, the line would have been an hour wait as it snaked from the front of the store to the back. But we were with Kristi, and she is well, Kristi- assertive, aggressive and NEVER afraid to get what she wants. We had dinner reservations at 8:30 PM. I certainly was not capable of standing for over an hour, so we followed her lead and went straight to the back, where the garland was being made. It wasn't that hard as it was located next to the conditioner and milk products. The second I saw the roses, I pushed us forward and got a bird's eye view of the action. I also didn't care to make any eye contact with those surrounding us who HAD waited in the Disneyland-long line. Rich said if looks could kill, then Kristi and I would have died on the spot. But I didn't know it. No one said a thing. Except Todd who said I looked like "An Asian tourist snapping pictures." Sounded like a perfect fit for my behavior. We got our photos, flyers, pins and then I insisted we all make our way DOWN the line to snap photos of the trophy and get the much desired rose petals. Yes, I was shameless, but everyone was happy to tag along. And we were out in 20 minutes. Not to shabby. Not at all! The boys weren't to thrilled with this the idea of coming, but as we left everyone loved every last second and I couldn't have dreamed a lovelier thing to see than the beautiful Garland there right before our eyes.

"For 135 years the eyes of the nation have turned toward the Bluegrass on the first Saturday in May... for 135 years Churchill Downs has summoned the nation.. has summoned America to join in the celebration of one of the grandest of all her traditions.

For 135 years we have joined the grand lady of racing for one shining moment in the sun... a moment when all Kentuckians and all Americans have felt touched by the petals of a rose... by that circle of burning red."

-Kroger

Talk Derby To Me....

It is heralded as 'The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports' and often referred to as 'The Run for the Roses." For unprecedented 135 years, millions have watched across the world as the finest three year old thoroughbred horses from across the globe race a mile and a quarter in the most historic venue in horse racing history: The Kentucky Derby.

One might have thought I have been out of the Derby loop since moving to Lexington, but that has not been the case. Many Derby horses were bred, born, trained and stabled right here in Lexington. In fact, every horse running in Derby 135 was auctioned in the yearling sale held at Keeneland Race Track, which is located here in Lexington. Prestigious and well known horse farms dot the landscape creating beautiful landmarks across the area. They are places you would long to call home, and yet they are there for one reason, and one reason only- thoroughbred racing horses. I have come to love Lexington just as much as Louisville and appreciate its own rightful place in the Derby Legacy.

While I will not be as fortunate to be seated in the grandstand to watch with my own eyes as history is being made, like I was last year, I am a Derby Girl forever. I loved it as a child, and the wonderment, thrill and anticipation has continued to grow as an adult. It must be why we ended up Kentucky nearly a decade ago. I was born with a Bluegrass heart, even though my roots are and forever will be in the far away west.

Tonight we will head west, just a bit, to get a taste of all the action Derby brings with it. It's been a rough year for our family to make new Derby memories. For the second time in eight years we were not found among the nearly 1 million people lining the river front in Louisville to take in the 'Largest Firework Show in North America'- Thunder Over Louisville. We did not attend the Balloon Glow or any other Derby Festival Events. That is why tonight is something I have been longing for, well, for years actually.

Who would believe when I said our main reason for going and final destination would be found in a grocery store? A place where I once bought milk, bread and cereal when I taught school in Middletown. But today it is something so much more. Magical even. And I can't wait to get there.

We will be going to the only Kroger store in the world that has a unique place in Derby history. Here we will watch as over 400 carefully selected and hand picked roses are sewn onto the 'Garland of Roses'. From 4 PM until 11 PM each flower will be carefully attached so when the blanket is placed over the winning horse's back tomorrow evening, it will be as perfect as its victory. They also have the Kentucky Derby trophy on display.

Yes, I am beyond excited to take it all in!

I also have been reading up on the big race today. I loved this quote from ESPN.com written by a local sports writer .

"I just want everybody to understand what trainer Jack Van Berg meant when he told me, "At the Kentucky Derby, you can throw all the records out the window, because it's just a matter of who the star shines on that particular day."

He was exactly right, because when you come down to it, the Kentucky Derby really is about fate and luck and the gods of racing. Anything can happen when you put 20 young horses into a starting gate and ask them to run a mile and a quarter for the first time in their lives."

-Billy Reed: Sports writer who has covered the Kentucky Derby for 43 years.

That is exactly what the Derby is and what makes it so entertaining and enjoyable- the uncertainty of it all. It is unpredictable, unstable and that is what makes it so exciting to watch. You never can be 100% certain about the will happen in a race.

Twenty horses will be called to the Post tomorrow. Twenty jockeys will be living their dream. Twenty owners will be holding their breath. And in all honesty, there really are twenty possible winners.

Here's a bit about each of those horses- found from ESPN.com.

Friesan Fire, the Louisiana Derby winner, is trained by Larry Jones. Jones also trained Eight Belles, the filly that last year finished a gallant second in the Kentucky Derby and then collapsed with fractures to both front legs and had to be euthanized, right on the track. Jones finished second in 2007 with Hard Spun.

Trainer Tom McCarthy, 75, a retired high school principal and resident of Louisville, is trying to win the Derby with the only horse he has, Blue Grass Stakes winner General Quarters, whom McCarthy also owns.

Bill Mott, a Hall of Fame trainer, is trying to win his first Derby with Hold Me Back, the Blue Grass runner-up, and he is competing against a horse he used to train, Pioneerof the Nile, who has won four straight races, including the Santa Anita Derby, since moving to trainer Bob Baffert.

Todd Pletcher, who has sent out more horses (21) than any trainer without winning the Derby, has three shots this year with Advice, Dunkirk, and Join in the Dance. He will try to avoid having the last-place finisher for the fourth straight year.

Dunkirk, the Florida Derby runner-up, is trying to become the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Derby without having started as a 2-year-old.

The WinStar Farm of owners Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt has three runners in Advice, Hold Me Back, and Mr. Hot Stuff, and they will give track announcer Mark Johnson, calling his first Derby, fits by lining up in adjacent stalls with similar silks.

Eoin Harty used to train Desert Party, the United Emirates Derby runner-up, who is now part of the powerful Godolphin Racing operation, which has had committed millions of dollars and numerous horses to a thus-far failed attempt to win the Derby by prepping their horses during the winter in Dubai. Godolphin also sends out Regal Ransom, who upset his stablemate in the UAE Derby.

Jenny Craig, the weight-loss icon, owns Chocolate Candy, a name not often considered part of anyone's diet plan.

Trainers Kelly Breen (Atomic Rain and West Side Bernie), Tim Ice (Summer Bird), Derek Ryan (Musket Man), Gary Stute (Papa Clem), Bennie Woolley Jr. (Mine That Bird), and McCarthy will try to win the Derby in their first attempt, which has happened in the Derby five of the last six years.

Trainers D. Wayne Lukas (Flying Private) and Nick Zito (Nowhere to Hide), both multiple Derby winners and members of the Hall of Fame, will try to add to their haul with improbable long shots.

Yet the horse they all have to beat is I Want Revenge, who is the morning-line favorite based on impressive victories in Wood Memorial and Gotham Stakes.

I Want Revenge is trained by Jeff Mullins, a controversial figure who seems cut from central casting to play the bad guy. Mullins is good at what he does, having won several training titles in Southern California. He is disarmingly genial and ruggedly handsome, yet has received several medication violations that have clouded his reputation.

I Want Revenge will be ridden by Joe Talamo, 19, who is trying to become the first teen jockey to win the Derby with his first mount in 30 years.

The field for the Derby is double-loaded into the starting gate, meaning posts 1 and 11 will go in first, then 2 and 12, with 10 and 20 the last to enter.

If all 20 horses start, the Derby purse will be $2,202,200, and the winner's share will be $1,442,200.

UPDATE 5/2/09: The No. 13 post position did prove unlucky after all for likely betting favorite I Want Revenge in today's 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Trainer Jeff Mullins scratched the colt this morning, because of a problem in his left front ankle.

"The biggest dream is to get here, but the biggest nightmare is to get to race day and have to scratch," Mullins said at a 9 a.m. press conference.

X-rays and ultrasound examinations did not show any bony injury to the ankle, but two veterinarians concurred that there was an inflammation in the soft tissue above and below the ankle.

All that is left is to wait and see what happens when the gates finally swing open.

And those beloved words ring loud and clear: "And They're Off!!"

Go Baby Go!!

Fly away....

My baby robins left their nest this week. I took a peek on them on Tuesday night through the cracks in our deck floor and all three babies were still snug, yet completely crammed, in their home.

Early Wednesday morning while watering my flower baskets in the backyard, I saw a hop and flutter after my presence startled one and knew I was looking at one of my babies that had just taken flight. I grabbed my camera and over the next hour waited and watched as Momma and Daddy bird flew to each of their offspring with breakfast fast between their beaks. It's an moving thing to witness. First, because these little ones are so new and just learning about the world and yet they are forced to make their way in a scary environment. (I was not loving the fact there dogs outside in both of our neighboring yards!)
Second, even though the baby birds were found in my yard and in the yard behind our house, they weren't totally alone. I loved hearing the deep coo from the parents calling to their own. The babies would respond in a high pitched call and the mom or dad would swoop in and stand next to them, or bring them nourishment. While they must have felt scared and overwhelmed (at least that is how I felt for them....), they still were being watched over and loved.
And third, because two days later I have spotted at least two of my sweet babies and their increased alertness and increased flying capabilities were astounding.

They just need that nudge out of the safety of the nest to realize their potential and eventual ability to take flight.
Don't we all need that in our life.

Someone who helps us see what we can become, gives a little nudge in the right direction, pushes out of our comfort zone and will be there to love and support us while we practice, learn and grow.

I do.

And I love that I can be reminded of this lesson through two doting birds and their three sweet babies.

Baby OneBaby TwoBaby Three