By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season
"And they're off" is often the call when racehorses storm out of the gate, and is used just as frequently this time of year by newspeople who mistakenly think it's a cute way to open a story about the arrival of Triple Crown season.
That's your first lesson -- free of charge -- for Derby season, and below are some other helpful hints to get you up to speed as the 136th Kentucky Derby is just 23 days away.
+ The Kentucky Derby site has the latest news on hopeful Derby horses, ticket information, past results, how to handicap and much more.
+ The Churchill Downs site offers a more in-depth look at Derby contenders and also offers betting tips.
+ Where the Derby is a national event if not a global one, then the Kentucky Oaks is considered Louisville's day at the races. The Derby always takes place on the first Saturday in May, and Oaks Day is always the day before. The race card is all fillies (female horses) and draws almost as big of a crowd as the Derby. Many locals prefer to hit the track for the Oaks and hit a Derby party as far away from Churchill as possible the next day.
+ Thoroughbred racing has somewhat of an esoteric following. Breeze through this site to learn the vernacular, then talk like you're a seasoned expert.
+ This is an excellent flash tutorial from the Daily Racing Form that shows you how to read, well, the Daily Racing Form and any other program.
+ In addition to the DRF, here's a good, all-encompassing resource called Bloodhorse.com.
+ Old friend Fred Cowgill is the Sports Director at WLKY NewsChannel 32, the CBS affiliate in Louisville. His sports blog is called Cowgill's Corner, and Wednesday's entry covered, who else, Eskendereya, the heavy favorite to rock the roses on May 1. Read more here:
+ Learn more about Eskendereya here.
+ Eskendereya is trained by Todd Pletcher, one of the best in the business. But despite winning four straight Eclipse Awards (given annually to the sport's top trainer) from 2004-07, he still hasn't won the Big One. Eskendereya could end Pletcher's drought. Read more about him here.
+ The most memorable story in recent horse racing history is Barbaro. He defeated a stacked field in dominant fashion in the 2006 Derby, but was put down nine months later because of illnesses developed after he broke his leg in the early moments of the Preakness. Many thought he had a great chance to win the Triple Crown. Read more about him here.
+ Everyone seemed to have loved the movie "Seabiscuit," but possibly my favorite horse racing movie was about that 2006 race, called "The First Saturday In May." Buy it today.
+ Want to make some Derby Pie for your next party? Here's the recipe.
+ Oh, it's that kind of party, you say? Well then, here's a Mint Julep recipe.
+ Lastly, here's a quick list of past Derby winners and past Triple Crown winners.