Tough call

I watched two important prep races today, the Risen Star Stakes (for the Louisiana, and ultimately Kentucky Derby) and the Silverbulletday Stakes (ultimately a Kentucky Oaks prep). Since I love fillies and colts, Derby’s and Oaks equally, these were both very exciting races for me. But they were thrilling for very different reasons.

Indian Blessing struck the first blow of the day in the Silverbulletday Stakes. I love this filly. Love, love, LOVE. If she never wins another race, never sees the Oaks, never runs past 7 furlongs, I love her still. In every race, she leaps from the gate and takes flight. I sometimes wonder if her hooves ever feel the track, of if she skips along somewhere above it. She is a front runner, and hates being behind other horses, preferring to fly along singing "catch me if you can!" So far, no one can. Some have said that she is nothing but a one dimensional speed horse. Yeah, we get it, oh businessmen of the track. Oh, odds makers you are wise. Now shut up and let us enjoy this filly for who she is- a little girl running for the joy of the wind in her ears.

Thirty minutes later, Pyro effectively proved himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender. He's been regarded with raised eyebrows, playing the bridesmaid to more flashy horses like War Pass all of last year. These are the horses that I like for the Derby. The flashy two year olds often peak there, but the ones that steadily come along, improving at every start... those are the ones that I look for at the start of their three year old year. A February foal, Pyro is right at his actual 3rd birthday- today he looked more like a seasoned five year old than a baby just coming into his own. As the announcer pointed out (with almost a chuckle, no less!), he was dead last at the top of the stretch, and was promptly forgotten as the announcer called them home. Seconds later (Pyro launches a run / checks! / runs / checks! / swings outside / daylight!), our stunned announcer proclaims, "he was LAST a second ago!" as Pyro guns for the wire like his run had never been interrupted. Pretty cool for a baby still learning the game.

I've now watched the race replays several times, and it's tough to say which race I enjoyed more. I've finally called for a compromise. Indian Blessing's joy in speed is a thing of beauty. And Pyro's dramatic come from behind is a whole other kind of beauty, coupled with the excitement that makes racing what it is.