This and That

Right now, I'm hoping that 45's Constitutionally illegal attack against Syria does not lead to World War III.  After "yelling" on Twitter for years that the US should not become involved with Syria, and stating that Congress had to make that decision, the stupid circus peanut orders a so-called 'surgical strike' against the leader of Syria, using 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles (costing over $50 million) launched from two US Navy ships.  These were targeted at the Shayrat Airbase, where it is believed the sarin gas attacks against Syrian civilians were launched.  If I read the Constitution and understand it correctly, - specifically, Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 - it means that the US President must obtain Congressional approval before taking us to war against a sovereign nation that has not attacked the United States or its allies, and is not threatening the US or its allies.  Syria is not an ally. I personally believe that Syria is committing horrible acts against mankind - especially its own people - in this sarin gas attack; but it is not an attack against the United States and its allies.  The circus peanut has just stepped, neck deep, into a giant pile of feces.  It's getting frightening now....
    On a lighter note - deep breath, exhale mightily - The first day of the Spring Chincoteague Pony Round-Up is today - with the Saltwater Cowboys beginning the round-up of the northern herds at about 4:30 this afternoon on Assateague.  I am hopeful that the guys will also take Surfer Princess and Badabing back up to the northern herds tomorrow, so that Surfer Princess doesn't continue living as a part of her full-brother's harem.
    Tomorrow a lot of important horse races will also happen - the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree, and a handful of  last-minute three-year-old races that will occur four weeks before the running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.  Here in the States, we'll see the Wood Memorial, the Santa Anita Derby, the Blue Grass Stakes, and on the 15th of April, the Arkansas Derby.  The grand National Steeplechase will have up to 40 entries begin the race, which covers almost 4.3 miles (4 miles, 514 yards), and includes steeplechase 30 jumps (such as Beechers Brook and The Chair).  It's an arduous course, and sometimes the jumps arrive at oddly spaced intervals.  Jockeys fall off, horses trip and fall, and sometimes horses trip and fall over other horses...  it's a great race to watch, as long as there are no injuries.

Arkansas Derby, Grand National Steeplechase

I'm running a bit late this morning, and need to get away to take care of three households full of loving animals, so I'll be quick.  There are two really good races being run today - the first to step onto the track will be the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree, where there are 39 horses entered in the race.  For more information regarding these horses, their odds, trainers, owners, and jockeys, please see:  http://www.grand-national2015.co.uk/runners-odds/
  The second race is the Arkansas Derby, at Oaklawn Park, this afternoon.  There are eight entries, with the current betting favorite, American Pharoah, leaving the gate from the six post.  The other runners, from gate 1 on out, are:  (1) The Truth or Else, (2) Mr. Z, (3) Bridget's Big Luvy, (4) Madefromlucky, (5) Bold Conquest, (6) American Pharoah, (7) Far Right, and (8) Win the Space.  Quite a few jockeys have flown in to ride today - Calvin Borel, John R Velasquez, Victor Espinoza, Mike Smith, and Kent Desormeaux...   I'll post more late tonight, after the races, and after I've finally staggered back home!

Pineau De Re Wins Grand National at Aintree

The Grand National Steeplechase at the Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England was run this past Saturday.  I'm very happy to report that, for the second straight year, there were no equine deaths resulting from the race.  The Grand National is a National Hunt race, and was first run in 1839.  Originally, the race was four and a half miles in length, but has recently been shortened by 90 yards, to 4 and 7/16 miles.  The Grand National features jumps larger than the usual National Hunt courses, and several are well-known for the accidents and pile-ups of horses that occur at them.  The course is a double circuit of 16 jumps, skipping the last two on the second circuit.

 This year's winner is an 11-year-old French-bred gelding named Pineau De Re; he landed in front at the final jump and continued to stride away from his rivals, winning by 5 lengths.  His jockey was Leighton Aspell, who had retired for two years in 2007, but felt the need to return to racing.  The horse's owner is John Provan of Scotland, and he was bred in France by Michel Hardy.  His trainer is Dr. Richard Newlands, who trains a stable of twelve as a hobby, while still running his medical practice in central England.  Pineau De Re was followed across the finish line by Balthazar King and co-betting favorite Double Seven.  There was one false start before the race began.

   Pineau De Re won the race as a 25 to 1 longshot; in 2013, Aurora's Encore won at odds of 66 to 1, and in 2012, Neptune Collonges won the race at 33 to 1 odds.  And, just as a tiny fillip of information, Pineau De Re is only the 6th French-bred horse to win the Grand National.

   The best known strangest finish of the race occurred in 1956, when Devon Loch, owned by the Queen Mother, and ridden by Dick Francis, did a strange belly-flop while passing the water jump.  And one of the most wonderful winners was Red Rum, so far the only 3-time winner, who won in 1973, 1974, and 1977.  He also placed second in the 1975 and 1976 races.

   And, of course, the race was immortalized in Enid Bagnold's 1935 book National Velvet.  Elizabeth Taylor portrayed Velvet Brown in 1944, who piloted her beloved horse Pie around the Grand National course and won.  Mickey Rooney, who sadly passed away yesterday, played her father's employee who knew his way around a racing and training stable.

   Next year's version of the Grand National at Aintree should be as dramatic as this year's, and, I hope, also without serious injuries or deaths.