Cinco de Mayo

The Irish kids are going to visit the groomer this morning, so I'll be walking them, and Lucy, this afternoon. Before walking, I'll see Dr. Pohlman about the reappearance of my fistula - how lovely! Our definite count of coyote kills now includes Bella, a Bichon Frise, and the Glovers' Maine Coon cat. Chiton, the local orange and white outdoors tom, has been seen. The Department of Wildlife says that they are receiving more complaints than usual about coyotes in North Boulder, but that there is nothing they can do. One of the male coyotes stood on it's hind legs, placed it's front feet on the window sill, and looked into a house that contains two Bichon Frises... That freaked out the owners!
My kits are doing well. Lovey insists that I get up as soon as it's light out, so I've been rising about 5:30 lately. She and Nedi want breakfast, and then they want to run outside and play before everyone else gets up and starts moving around. Of course, they have a good time chasing the squirrels and birds, too.
Robby Albarado, who is slated to ride in both the Kentucky Oaks and the Derby, was thrown from his horse yesterday on the way to the gate at Churchill Downs. The colt then stepped on Robby's face, breaking his nose, and gashing his forehead and eyebrow to the extent that he needed stitches. He will definitely be riding Animal Kingdom on Saturday, but his riding Bouquet Booth on Friday is questionable. ... And NBC has a neat little simulation Kentucky Derby race - they line up the past 20 winners of the Derby, and run them on a fast track. It's interesting to see the race and the results.
So far, my choices for the Oaks still stand: Daisy Devine, Zazu, and St. John's River. There is a 50% chance of rain showers for Friday morning, with a high of 70 in Louisville. There is a 40% chance of thunderstorms, with a high of 68, on Saturday. The track has had over 6 inches of rain fall this week. What will the footing be like for these races? If it stays dry, with no rain, the track might be fast on both days - but I don't know what will happen.
Hmmm... The Derby. Twenty young colts, who have never carried 126 pounds for one and a quarter miles. Who to like?

• There are 5 Florida-breds in contention: Brilliant Speed, Comma To The Top, Decisive Moment, Mucho Macho Man, and Watch Me Go.


• Three of the colts are descendants of *Forli (which makes them cousins of my horse, Court Jester): Archarcharch, Master of Hounds, and Soldat.


• Five of the colts are bred to run on a sloppy track: Pants On Fire, Shackleford, Soldat, Twice The Appeal, and Uncle Mo.


• The horses' coat colors break down to: 1 grey/roan (Twinspired); 2 chestnuts (Animal Kingdom and Shackleford); 8 bays; and 9 dark bay/brown colts.


• Does actual age count? Watch Me Go was born in January; February colts are: Dialed In, Nehro, Santiva, and Shackleford; March colts are: Animal Kingdom, Archarcharch, Comma To The Top, Decisive Moment, Derby Kitten, Master of Hounds, Pants On Fire, Stay Thirsty, and Uncle Mo. April foals are: Brilliant Speed, Midnight Interlude, Soldat, and Twinspired. Twice The Appeal will actually be 3 on Tuesday, May 10; while Mucho Macho Man has to wait until June 15 to celebrate his true third birthday.


• Mike Battaglia, who is a great handicapper, has made Dialed In the morning-line betting favorite, followed by Uncle Mo, and Nehro.