Well, remember when I said that the noticeable absence from The Kentucky Derby was Barbaro's full brother? Yes well, I know who that is now he's a three year old cold named Nicanor, and today he broke his maiden. Horses who run in maiden races have never won before. This was Nicanor's fourth race and they moved him to the turf (grass) and he won by 15 lengths. An impressive victory. So that's where is. No, not Kentucky Derby material by far. However, if he continues to do this well on turf we might be hearing more of his name later this year. So I found that on my livejournal friends page today and thought I'd share.
In other horse racing news the Preakness Stakes the second leg of the Triple Crown is on Saturday. Now, I'm going to say something shocking: I don't want there to be a Triple Crown winner this year. No offense to Mine That Bird who ran a surprising Derby and all, but I want Rachel Alexandra to win the Preakness. And no, it's not just because of the name. It's because she rocks. Now, some of you may be asking how does this effect the field?
Well, Rachel Alexandra won the Kentucky Oaks by a strong 20 lengths. Also, Calvin Borel the jockey for Mine That Bird was her rider. In fact, he's contractually obligated to ride Rachel Alexandra over Mine That Bird. So, I just tried to check who is know the jockey for Mine That Bird but the official website still says Calvin Borel. I know he's impressive, but even I don't think he can ride two horses at once. So I think a lot of Mine That Bird's performance was how Calvin rode him. Plus there is the concern for him about the shorter Preakness distance. I would be a fool to count him out of the race, but I think things will challenge him.
Often times I feel like the Preakness is the weakest of the three races, but I really don't feel that this time. The first four finishers in The Kentucky Derby are at the race. Plus Friesan Fire is in the race and I think he would have been a bigger Derby contender if he hadn't stepped on himself coming out of the gate. Pioneer of the Nile did a good job during the Derby of staying near the leaders and I think that stalking style might be to his benefit.
My predictions plus the magic hat (which really screwed up the Derby this year) on Saturday morning.
In real life....human resources departments are failing all over. Mine insists that I can't have two middle names, I must have two last names. Hence why I couldn't log onto my time card because it kept asking for my last name and then rejecting me. Little did I know it's because I don't know my own last name. Okay, snarking done now. SO has also had HR problems. He went up to the park on Monday to do orientation only to find out that none of his background check cleared. Apparently there is two ways to do the math on 'list four years of previous residences'. He did the math wrong. Also his uniforms are not ready. HR insists he can't work without passing a background check (which I understand) but no one else is scheduled to work on Friday so Chris's boss would very much like them to get on that. We're still waiting for word.
Went down to LA for Mother's Day due to some unexpected time off for Chris. It was good times. Got to see Scout, and explain to Robin our hectic moving schedule. We're hoping for limited trips back and fourth between LA and Fresno. Pets complicate lives so much. Hopefully we get Scout when we move by June 19th. It's almost like a birthday present to me.
LA included SUSHI. Fresh yummy sushi. I missed it so so much. There was spicy tuna rolls, eel, CA rolls (for non fish loving SO) and edamame (not sushi). Sushi Don is a very strip mall like place near the Starbucks. A few tables and one counter. It's fresh, the guy who runs in came to America in the 1980's before sushi was trendy and spent time in CO explaining the concept to tourists. Sushi Don is affiliated with Sasabune a much more affluent and well known sushi restaurant in the LA area. Rummer has it they have a sign that says something to the effect of "We do not serve American sushi here-no CA rolls". So I have heard. We shall see.
This entry is getting long and I haven't even gotten to Dollhouse or NCIS yet. Tomorrow is another day.
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