Union Rags Wins Belmont; Wildfires

I was completely wrong regarding Union Rags.  His win in yesterday's Belmont Stakes was a real triumph, especially his battle with Paynter in the depth of the stretch drive.  He is related to Hyperion and *Forli, the stallion line we used at Sleepy Hollow - but I honestly didn't think he had enough bottom to win a race that is a mile and a half long.  Apparently, too, my disliking his eyes is irrelevant.
Union Rags won by a short neck over Paynter, with Atigun in third place.  My four picks for yesterday finished in third, fourth, fifth, and sixth places.  Union Rags won the Belmont over a fast track in 2.30.42; Secretariat won the 1973 Belmont in 2.24 (and gaining speed with each eighth of a mile he ran). I will happily admit that Union Rags had terrible traffic problems in both the Derby and the Preakness, and I honestly didn't think he could win the Belmont.  My hat is off to you, Union Rags!  - The complete order of finish was: (1) Union Rags, (2) Paynter, (3) Atigun, (4) Street Life, (5) Five Sixteen, (6) Unstoppable U, (7) Dullahan, (8) My Adonis, (9) Ravelo's Boy, (10) Optimizer, and (11) Guyana Star Dweej.  Union Rags and Dullahan were the betting co-favorites just before the start of the race.
   I can smell and see a smoky haze all over and through Boulder.  Another wildfire has erupted in Larimer County, to our north - this time starting in Rist Canyon, one of my favorite areas; it's being called the High Park fire, and is about 15 miles north west of Fort Collins.  The fire was first reported at 8 yesterday morning, and was estimated at 2 acres.  This morning, it has grown to over 10,000 acres, with 18 homes burned down - and it's running toward the Poudre Canyon, which is  still dealing with its own fire.  There are Clean Air Alerts throughout Colorado and New Mexico, due to smoke, ash and particulates in the air.  There have been over 1500 evacuation notices delivered by reverse 911 calls - and winds are blowing about 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 45 and 50 mph.  The entire town of Bellevue has been evacuated.  Not only do we have the fires in Larimer County, there is also the huge still-burning fire in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico, but there is also a new 10,000+ acre fire north of Ruidoso, too.  (And the Eastern Shore of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia has a Clean Air Alert out due to low-lying ozone....)  And the wind is certainly whipping around Boulder this morning.
   I had a wonderful day yesterday - lazed around most of the morning and early afternoon, watching HRTV, the switched to NBC for their Belmont coverage.  Kathy showed up and watched the race with me, then went and picked up a mutual friend, grabbed supper at the China Gourmet, and joined Jim  and I for supper.  The four of us sat around the table and talked for almost 4 hours, while consuming our Chinese food, a fruit tart, and freshly made strawberry, and peach, ice creams.  It was a very relaxing, laid back, pleasant day.