Wanna Thank Your Mother for a Backside Like That
Posted by Billy at 4/30/2009 11:04 PM 
Categories: Kentucky Derby
Tags: Friesan Fire Mr. Hot Stuff Chip Woolley Larry Jones Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Kentucky Oaks Chocolate Candy Starbucks
Categories: Kentucky Derby
Tags: Friesan Fire Mr. Hot Stuff Chip Woolley Larry Jones Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Kentucky Oaks Chocolate Candy Starbucks
Today I got up at 4:00 a.m. which is beyond early for those of us that don't work on the track. I picked up my friend Beth at about 4:50 a.m. We drove to Churchill - excited like little kids on Christmas.
We rehashed Derbies past on the ride, drinking our Starbucks. I remembered my first Derby once I moved to Kentucky. Hanging out on the backside of Churchill with a group of people that I still consider friends (shout out to Janel, Madeleine and Matt). It was the year of Silver Charm. That was my first live in person Derby. (btw - I picked Pulpit).
Our hopes today were to see Chocolate Candy, Friesan Fire and Mr. Hot Stuff. In addition if we were lucky enough for me to find and meet Chip Woolley - Mine That Bird's trainer from my hometown of Bloomfield, NM and see the two big fillies (especially West Point's Justwhistledixie) for the Oaks - it would be a bonus.
We made our way through the barn area to the track and saw numerous people we've met/worked with throughout the years. All the horses galloping and posing on the track started giving you that feeling again like when you saw your first horse race. Remember that? Feeling of awe. We found us a place on one of stands after milling about. Then heard the magic words from a runner for some station "Chocolate Candy is on his way out on the track." He came out and is even more gorgeous in person and I don't mean that like a little girl with a pony. I mean it like a man (I just called myself a man - that freaks me out every time because I always feel like I'm a boy - shut up) who has now seen tons of quality horse flesh and until recently - had become jaded by it all. I was overjoyed to see Chocolate Candy.
It wasn't long after that we saw Mr. Hot Stuff (and now that I've been told the story behind his name - something to do with a family inside joke for WinStar and a suit and so on - he's hot!). He looked good. I mean like hottie on the beach good. (that can apply to either sex for those of you who just winced a little - and stop it).
After that viewing spectacular we found the stakes barn - met up with some West Point peeps and saw their awesome filly for the Oaks. Then out of the mist (ok - not mist - just in the shedrow but c'mon) we saw Mine That Bird. Now you're probably not as excited as me but we're talking a NM boy and a horse now from NM with a trainer that lives across from my sister. I mean - that's vicariousness at it's most righteous.
I found Chip Woolley - and introduced myself. We talked for a while and wished him good luck. Really nice guy.
We also so Rachel Alexandra and let's just say she's full of herself. After the break we caught Friesan Fire and met Larry Jones pony. Pioneerof the Nile came out on the track as well. Our morning was so full.
Think back to a month ago as I was hoping that Keeneland's Spring Meet would inspire me to love it all again - and it worked. Who knew that a trip to Churchill's backside would take that up a notch? I was ready to chuck it all, sell the business, and go full force into only showing our dogs. I am more than happy to report that I am so back to loving horse racing.
If only because of the horse.
For fun - I'll give you my picks for the stakes on both the Oaks and Derby cards sometime Friday. \
We rehashed Derbies past on the ride, drinking our Starbucks. I remembered my first Derby once I moved to Kentucky. Hanging out on the backside of Churchill with a group of people that I still consider friends (shout out to Janel, Madeleine and Matt). It was the year of Silver Charm. That was my first live in person Derby. (btw - I picked Pulpit).
Our hopes today were to see Chocolate Candy, Friesan Fire and Mr. Hot Stuff. In addition if we were lucky enough for me to find and meet Chip Woolley - Mine That Bird's trainer from my hometown of Bloomfield, NM and see the two big fillies (especially West Point's Justwhistledixie) for the Oaks - it would be a bonus.
We made our way through the barn area to the track and saw numerous people we've met/worked with throughout the years. All the horses galloping and posing on the track started giving you that feeling again like when you saw your first horse race. Remember that? Feeling of awe. We found us a place on one of stands after milling about. Then heard the magic words from a runner for some station "Chocolate Candy is on his way out on the track." He came out and is even more gorgeous in person and I don't mean that like a little girl with a pony. I mean it like a man (I just called myself a man - that freaks me out every time because I always feel like I'm a boy - shut up) who has now seen tons of quality horse flesh and until recently - had become jaded by it all. I was overjoyed to see Chocolate Candy.
It wasn't long after that we saw Mr. Hot Stuff (and now that I've been told the story behind his name - something to do with a family inside joke for WinStar and a suit and so on - he's hot!). He looked good. I mean like hottie on the beach good. (that can apply to either sex for those of you who just winced a little - and stop it).
After that viewing spectacular we found the stakes barn - met up with some West Point peeps and saw their awesome filly for the Oaks. Then out of the mist (ok - not mist - just in the shedrow but c'mon) we saw Mine That Bird. Now you're probably not as excited as me but we're talking a NM boy and a horse now from NM with a trainer that lives across from my sister. I mean - that's vicariousness at it's most righteous.
I found Chip Woolley - and introduced myself. We talked for a while and wished him good luck. Really nice guy.
We also so Rachel Alexandra and let's just say she's full of herself. After the break we caught Friesan Fire and met Larry Jones pony. Pioneerof the Nile came out on the track as well. Our morning was so full.
Think back to a month ago as I was hoping that Keeneland's Spring Meet would inspire me to love it all again - and it worked. Who knew that a trip to Churchill's backside would take that up a notch? I was ready to chuck it all, sell the business, and go full force into only showing our dogs. I am more than happy to report that I am so back to loving horse racing.
If only because of the horse.
For fun - I'll give you my picks for the stakes on both the Oaks and Derby cards sometime Friday. \
O Joy, O joy ... doesn't get much better than that for a horse boy from NM. Looks like it's time to float your boat on the Nile while enjoying a little Chocolate Candy along the way.
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Let's see . . . how do I top Rob? I can't, the image of a "House Boy" in a loin cloth on a Egyptian boat is too strong.
Did you take my caffiene suggestions? Nice to see your joy. Will reference it the next time you are on a rant.
Need emotion smilies so that you know are I am just playing with you.
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