Paul H. Rothfuss - May 2010.  There’s nothing like a day at the races.  A fun afternoon getting lost in the minutiae of The Racing Form can bring a macabre joy to the heart, even whilst emptying the wallet.  Sometimes, however, frustration takes over, and when that happens an alternative must be found immediately or we punters run the risk of ‘losing it,’ and I mean more than just money. 

Years ago, Barbie and I were having ‘one of those days’ at Woodbine, when our friend and co-horse-fanatic, Susan McCutcheon (also in tearing-ticket mode) asked, “Have you ever created a story using all the names of the horses in a race?”  In fact we hadn’t, and Susan said, “Well, here’s one for you,” and she promptly reeled off a story using all the horses in that day’s seventh race - she had scribbled the fable on her program.  I wish I’d kept it. 

Last year we started a ‘tradition’ of creating a ’story’ using all of the Derby horses - A Kentucky Derby Tale, 2009 Style.”  With may thanks to Susan, following is our 2010 rendition, A Kentucky Derby Tale, 2010 Style.  (Derby horses in bold type.)

“Homeboy Chris, a Devil May Care and very Stately Victor, took a Conveyance through Jackson Bend to Dublin.

There he met Paddy O’Prado, who said, “No Backtalk. Just Make Music For Me, then we’ll follow the Line of David, sneak past Dean’s Kitten (aka, the “American Lion”) to the Super Saver and fulfill Noble’s Promise to get Sidney’s Candy, (which is Discreetly Mine), from the Icebox.

This sounds like Mission Impazible, but you’re Lookin’ At Lucky, and I’m tellin ya, this is an Awesome Act.”

Fun, don’t you think?

Thanks for reading.

Paul H. Rothfuss