Its almost Kentucky Derby day. In the bluegrass of Kentucky spindly legged baby foals are a few months old right now. They are galloping at full throttle through the lush bluegrass. In no time they will be making the rounds through the auction rings at Keenland to the tune of a couple million, sons and daughters of horses of the year Curlin and Ghostzapper with bright futures ahead of them. In three years it will be their time to shine, hopefully as they leap out of the starting gate at Churchill Downs that first Saturday in May. Some day I want to make it to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. I have to say that, being a huge horse racing fan, although I’ve heard Louisville is in the ghetto of Kentucky. Its like their version of Inglewood. Maybe I’ll just go to the Orange show OTB in San Bernardino, hang out with some local So Cal Gansta’s, wear a big hat and pretend?
I’d love to visit Kentucky one day. Its very high on my bucket list. I would love to tour the vast breeding farms I’ve seen on TV; Vinery, Claiborne and Coolmore Stud. I’ve been to an awesome stud farm in Newmarket, England, but they are all more about British racehorses, and I know alot more about the American racehorse then his across the pond ancestors. I’d love to tour the Kentucky Horse Park and check out the retired pensioned stallions like Horse of the Year Cigar. I just don’t know if its worth the hassle to try and travel around the Louisville area during the first week of May with so many tourists around.
A week ago Uncle Mo was this years favorite for the Kentucky Derby. He was unbeaten. He was unchallenged. Then he could barely hold on for third in his last Kentucky Derby prep the Wood Memorial in New York. Yes, the same race Secretariat finished third in the 70’s. Secretariat was the last Triple Crown winner. The similarity’s between Uncle Mo and Secretariat are already being made. One things for sure, these two majestic race horses might have a lot in common, but Secretariat never had gas.
Yes the headline after Uncle Mo lost said something like “Uncle Mo diagnosed with a Gastro Bacteria Infection! ” So was I! A month before the Wood Memorial I was really sick. (Spell check just tried to turn really into regally, because yes I get diahrea like a queen!) Like I thought I was going to end up in the hospital sick. After a month of feeling like pure death I learned I had a bacteria Infection! Just like Uncle Mo! Or maybe Uncle Mo is just like me?
So as there is no clear horse that stand out in my mind now for the Kentucky Derby, I feel I have to jump on the Uncle Mo bandwagon as I feel his pain, literally. Honestly, no I really don’t think he’ll win, he’s lost to much training, but I hope he does. Sentimentally he’s the horse I like. Unfortunately for gassy Mo I can’t pick him at 7-5, which is about what he will go off at, odds wise on Derby day.
So here is my Last week in April Kentucky Derby top 10
1. Dialed In
2. Comma to the Top
3. Soldat
4. Shackleford
5. Rattlesnake Bridge
6 .Mr Commons
7. To Honor and Serve
8. Mucho Macho Man
9. Jaycito
10. Midnight Interlude
If I had to chose a horse to bet right now, today I would bet Shackleford to win, and maybe a superfecta with Jaycito, Shackleford, To Honor and Serve and Dialed In.
What is the the great thing about the Kentucky Derby?Eight hours of horse racing from the tracks all over the country, and eating tons of great food. Here’s some great Kentucky Derby Party worthy snacks Alicia, Johnny and I may be enjoying on May 7th.
Nancy’s Favorite Salsa
1 can roasted Anaheim chili’s
2 cups heirloom tomatoes
1/2 cup cilantro
1-2 jalapenos, roasted
1 clove garlic
3 green onions
salt and pepper
juice of 1-3 limes
Combine all in blender and serve
Amber’s Five Layer Dip
1 can corn
2 cups sour cream
1 cup re fried beans or trader Joe’s spicy bean dip
2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterrey jack cheese
Layer all in a oven safe dish. Cook at 350 18-25 minutes until the cheese just starts to brown. Serve with tortilla chips
Los Olas Shrimp Tacos
2 cups frozen shrimp (Argentine preferred), cut into small pieces
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 can corn
4 tab mayo
juice of 1 lime
6-10 dashes of Franks Red Hot Sauce
1 package corn tortillas
cotija cheese
coconut oil
shredded cabbage
Defrost the shrimp in a hot pan, when they are cooked through, add the corn. When warm, mix in the Greek yogurt and mayo. Turn the heat off. In a hot pan, add coconut oil, fry the tortillas in this. Add lime and hot sauce to the shrimp. Layer tortillas with shrimp, cabbage and sprinkle cotija cheese on top
Bacon Wrapped Olives
Bacon
garlic stuffed olives
cut the slices of bacon in half, wind each strip around 1 olive. Bake in the oven about 18 minutes. You might want to turn some olives half way through. They are done when the bacon is cooked the way you prefer it.