RUNNING FOR THE ROSES

Horses are magnificent creatures.

I’ve been fascinated with these beautiful animals since my childhood.

That is why I’ve always loved the excitement of The Kentucky Derby.  Horses, roses and Kentucky; can you imagine a better combination?

There is no other sporting event quite this unique, with its interesting traditions, amazing history and lovely culture.  Everything about The Run For The Roses is unique.

This year though will be extremely unique!

We’ve all wondered if it would be possible to entertain thoughts of the race continuing on with the whole world practically shut-down from COVID-19.  Who can think of horses, races and roses when the whole world seems to be out of sync and suffering?

Actually; maybe that is just what we need right now; some good old fashioned traditional fun.

Typically Churchill Downs would have been a blur of colorful festivities with balloon races, galas and big floppy hats on May 2, 2020.

Not this time though; because for the first time since 1945 the first Saturday of May will not be hosting The Kentucky Derby.

Don’t despair though.

The good news is that the race has been moved from May 2, 2020 to September 5, 2020.

I don’t think anyone has ever been to a Fall race before, and this should be very interesting.  Everything traditional, even the food and fashion might be affected by this change.   Hats may go from pink to rust or pumpkin orange, and the greens of summer may be changing into colors of autumn across the landscape of Churchill Downs.

Hopefully; there will still be roses.

Nevertheless; the 146^th Kentucky Derby will be run!

In the meantime; the party of May 2 will go on in a very virtual way at home.  NBC Sports has a Derby Party Pack that features recipes for traditional Kentucky Derby food and cocktails.  You can look it up on the internet and download all that you want.

So what will they do for the race?

They are going to show replays of American Pharaoh’s Run to the Triple Crown from 2015.  It will be fun to look back; even while some of us may be staying socially distant.

There will also be a computer-simulated edition of the Run for The Roses that pits all 13 Triple Crown winners against each other.  That might prove to be interesting.

We all know how charity rules the Derby.

This year is no different, and may even hit a bit closer to home with more people than ever as the designated charity is going to COVID-19 relief efforts. Churchill Downs has pledged to match up to $1 million of donations with funds to be directed to the Team Kentucky Fund and Direct Relief.  A small percentage will be earmarked for the R.E.I.N Fund (Relief for Equine Industry Needs) a program managed by Churchill Downs Foundation designed to benefit workers of the backside whose livelihood has been impacted by COVID-19 and to ensure essential care for horses in the pandemic.

You will be able to follow all of the “at home parties” on Facebook and Instagram; so be paying attention.  Some people might want to post photos of all of their hats and parties too.

So stay tuned to NBC on May 2 from 3 -6 p.m. ET, NBCSports.com and NBC.Sports.app, if you want to know how it all goes down this time.

We will try to follow up again in September when the real race is run too.

By then; perhaps the whole wide world will be smiling again; and may the best horse win!