From a distance, the race is lovely, harmonious and balletic. Titans flex and relax contrasting prodigious muscles to music hearkened only by the contestants. Distant observers view a dance of dolphins at the ship's bow frolicking in the white capping crests of waves moving in unison with man and nature. Sheer poetry.
Amongst the beasts, the race is filthy, thunderous and violent. Elephantine grit and exaggerated masculinity shake the earth kicking turf skyward staining their pristine coats with battle dirt; the soot blinding the angry combatants. The earth trembles in awe. Gladiators bump, shove and trample for rail position abridging the finishing distance. Muscles and joints writhe in agony; oxygen dissipates in grime; and exhileratation succumbs to exhaustion.
Perseverance, determination and effort win the race. Win. Place. And Show. Only the champion survives to enter the winner's circle. Only one gets the blanket of roses.
I wrote this a few years ago prior to the Kentucky Derby attempting to have it submitted into their official program. It wasn't accepted for publishing, but that is not the reason for this post.
The "Run for the Roses" is contested today, probably the grandest two minutes in sports amid a backdrop of pagentry that surpasses the The Masters in golf. Many sports fans have The Masters on their personal "bucket list". These same people would be remiss to not include this spectacle of grandeur as well. It may be too late to saunter down to the paddock this year, but if you're interested in the 136th running at Churchill Downs drop me an email at TheTravelValet@gmail.com and I can piece together your perfect itinerary.
Today's Top Pick... Pioneer of the Nile to Show
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