Dogs Living with Cats

Tweet In the moments just after the shocking result of Kentucky Derby 135, I was reminded of the infamous Ghostbusters scene (see video below for refresher) where Bill Murray describes the supernatural events that could lead to a "disaster of Biblical proportions" wherein "dogs are living with cats" among other things. The aftermath of KD 135 has me feeling the same. It's not the chunk of change that was squandered, or the hours of analysis and handicapping the race, but trying to figure out what this means to racing?

Is it a good thing? I think we have a couple weeks to find out for sure (should the connections of Mine That Bird decide to keep its Triple Crown hopes alive). But my initial reaction is that it is a good thing. How funny is it that the breeder (from nearby Lexington) didn't even show up for the Derby?

Of course, the journalists are dragging up the muck on the connections (and I'm sure some bloggers will jump on that bandwagon)....but what does a corrupt owner have to do with horse racing? I'm sick and tired of hearing about that kind of crap...didn't we have to live with the Iavarone stock broker BS during the last TC season? I think the Preakness could feature a tremendous gate of horses, not to mention it should present excellent wagering opportunities. I'd rather read about that. What is the over/under on horses in the gate in Baltimore -- 10?? Especially since the Derby winner will be looked at in some circles as a fluke and will surely not be a "beaten down at the windows" kind of favorite.

Just having Calvin Borel (and all his histrionics) around makes it interesting. Ever see Tiger Woods do his patented fist pump? Calvin takes it to the next level and some. Good for him. It's not a show, it's real unbridled emotion (just like Tiger). As they'll be saying here in TO-land come September, get yer popcorn ready....CB's gonna be around for the next five weeks, one way or another (Rachel is running on Belmont Day).

Speaking of Rachel Alexandra, the talk of fillies running against colts/geldings/horses (you know - those with junk) is starting to resurface within Racing Blogger Nation. A funny aside to this discussion....my 9 year old son and I were watching the Humana Distaff two races before the Derby on ESPN in HD and I was telling him it was a race for fillies and mares..."for girls only." He nodded his head and we watched the race pulling for different numbers (his always seems to change in the middle of the race, based on whoever is leading) and we watched the #3 Informed Decision win over the #6 Temple Street in an exciting stretch run. After the race we watched Julien Leparoux take off his helmet in the winner's circle and my son looked at me inquisitively and said..."Dad...that's not a girl...that's a boy?" I chuckled and explained to him it was the horses that had to be female, not the jockeys....but found it interesting that a young boy wouldn't differentiate between the horses....a horse is a horse, of course.

An interesting take on the whole ESPN and television thing located at SI.com by racing columnist Tim Layden, explains a lot of what I had been wondering... (hat tip to the Saratoga Resident)

Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2009 Kentucky Derby...dogs living with cats....