The Kentucky Derby; billed “the most exciting two minutes in sports” is back!
May was not the same last year without the Derby. There have only been two times in history that The Kentucky Derby has been postponed: last year because of COVID, and in 1945 because of World War II. Otherwise; the horses have been running faithfully for 147 consecutive years. This makes The Kentucky Derby the longest running sport in U.S. history.
Now you might be surprised to hear of my posting this article (and those I have posted in the past might have surprised you too,) since I am a faithful Sabbath keeper; and I’ve always tried to put off anything commercial that happens on a Saturday if at all possible. This is my day of worship; but it ends at sunset; and the Kentucky Derby starts at 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2021.
Since that is central standard time, when my home in Alabama reaches 5:50 p.m. CST it will be very close to sunset on Saturday and the Hebrew definition of a “day” turns into a new day at sunset. That specific time seems to be close to 2 a.m. Sunday in Jerusalem; so I think I’m pretty safe to go ahead and enjoy the race with God’s blessings. (I’m relieved too because I did not want that temptation hanging over my head. I LOVE The Derby!)
I love the Derby and give it lots of grace, because a lot of what it has stood for recently does not measure up to all of my personal standards. I found the race year before last to be a bit questionable. I wasn’t there in person; so I can’t really judge with any credibility; but it did seem a bit shady from my perspective. Nevertheless; I cannot let go of my love for the Derby and am hopeful that this year’s race will go smoothly with no doubt as to who the real winner is in the end.
Another thing that makes it odd for me to love The Kentucky Derby so much is the gambling side of the event. I have to again give lots of grace here; because the money goes to so many needed charities that have produced miracles and great strides towards the cure of diabetes. I guess “grace” is a big fat word for me to use whenever I’m speaking about the derby!
Are there any horses named Grace this year? I will definitely be checking that out.
So; try not to laugh at my absurdities too much, and just find your best hat and join in on the fun You DO have your hat; right?
Maybe it is my love of big floppy hats that keeps me hanging on as a Kentucky Derby fan; but I can think of a lot of other reasons too.
My love for horses is a huge factor in my support for The Kentucky Derby. The horse has to be one of God’s most majestic creatures. Watching a horse in motion provokes the poet in me. I can’t help it. I begin quoting movie scripts….”I am a great champion!”
Sometimes I just burst out with the lyrics of a Dan Fogelberg song; “And its run for the roses as fast as you can; your fate is delivered, your moment’s at hand. Its the chance of a lifetime and a lifetime of chance, and its high time you joined in the dance; its high time you joined in the dance.”
Maybe it is simply my love for Kentucky. I lived there once you know; and I found it to be a great place to live. You’ve never met more honest hard-working, decent people than those Kentucky tobacco farmers. Tears come to my eyes when the stands at Churchill Downs rise as the bands play “My Old Kentucky Home.”
Perhaps it is just the fact that a tradition as lovely as a horse race could survive all these years in a country that is torn and culturally divided otherwise. Those old traditions that still linger, the one’s that have escaped cancel culture’s defilement; they give hope for a brighter day.
It could just be the excitement and the anticipation of studying the stories of each special horse that is running; while knowing the lifetime of love, labor and work that each owner has invested, wishing for some great new jockey to get a lucky break that will change his life; it could be some of those things too.
Then there is always the food. Funny how certain foods have become the norm for certain special days in our lives. Who could turn their nose up to an old fashioned Mint Julep? I just happen to have the best Kentucky Derby recipes in all of the land. I’m not sure why, since I’m not a Kentucky native; but let’s just say the food for that day made a huge impression on my culinary ambitions; and every May they come back to haunt my pallet. This year will be no different.
So far my menu line up for the two minutes of history will incorporate about a week of preparation and great left-overs for days. after the Derby winner has been announced.
Come the first week in May the color of my grass just has to be blue!