It’s Derby Week here in the bluegrass.
The 135th running of the Kentucky Derby will be this Saturday, May 2, and for the first time in recollection, I am not participating. I used to go to all the events, all the parties, even went to the Derby and the Oaks more than a few times, but this year, I just said no. Not gonna happen. The thrill, excitement, and fun I’d always come to associate with the Kentucky Derby, has simply disappeared. I don’t even know who is running this year. And I haven’t the urge to find out.
When 2006 Ky Derby Winner Barbaro died (in 2007) ultimately from an accident caused during the 2006 Belmont Stakes, I lost a piece of my heart. I told myself it’s a part of racing, and it happens. Just incredibly bad luck.
I eventually snapped out of my Derby melancoly, began getting excited over the 2008 prospects…then Derby runner-up Eight Belles had to be euthanized right after the race.
I’m sorry, but I can’t get excited about the Derby or Derby Week anymore. All the good things I remember about Derbies past have been overshadowed by these last few years of freakish tragedy on the track.
When my best friend called today and asked me who I thought might win, I told her the first horse across the finish line that is still standing.
That was so awful last year, and here’s something freaky. I had a premonition before the race that something bad was going to happen to one of the horses. I turned it off as soon as Big Brown crossed the finish line and later when I heard about Eight Belles, it broke my heart. I remember that a lot of people had hoped that she’d do well since she was the only filly in the race.
When one of our horses passed away, it was like I’d lost not only a four-legged friend, but a sister or brother, odd as that may sound.
And I know I wasn’t the only one in my family who felt that way.
My sisters and I will say a blessing on Saturday, that no one come to any harm at the Derby, be they animal or human. But none of us can stand to watch. ::sigh::