WIN, BABY, JUST WIN

Colonel John is 4-1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby. One other horse, Brown Boy or something is the favorite. I'm rooting for the Colonel.

Not betting, mind you, just rooting. You see, I'm not much interested in horse racing. I've never been to one. Not even the Hamiltonian which was world harness racing at DuQuoin, IL, a short drive from my hometown. Nor Cahokia Downs, another short drive west. I never went to The Derby though I have been to the track off- season. Even though some good friends of mine boarded a charter bus for The Derby every year. They always came back with great stories and fun times to relay. They taught me that there are races all day that first Saturday in May. I thought there was only one. Silly me.

But I've never known an owner of a horse in The Kentucky Derby. Until this year. High school and college friend Kenny Troutt owns Colonel John and Winstar Farms in upstate, as they call it, New York. The horse won a previous race (at Hialeah?) to qualify and get a good pole position, as I understand it. Number 10, while the favored has a bad position at Number 20.

I really don't know what that means. I really don't know much about racing. I can't remember the last race I watched. I know Barbaro or Barbosa or Barberella died and I was sad, but that was a few years ago.

All I know is I'm going to watch on Saturday and cheer for the Colonel. It would be pretty cool to see him and Kenny in the Winner's Circle.