'Country bumpkins' relish Derby memories
Ever since It’sallinthechase ran in the 2002 Kentucky Derby, Darwin Olson’s friends have anticipated a return trip to Louisville. "They always say, ‘Do you have a horse in the Derby this year?" said Olson, who lives in Lake City. "I tell them it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Maybe we’ll get there again, but it’s very unlikely."
Which is exactly why 20 horses, a full field, are expected to be entered Wednesday for the 134th Derby at Churchill Downs. As always, there will be a handful of first-time trainers and owners competing against the bluegrass billionaires and celebrity horsemen. And as always, some will scoff at a few horses they deem unworthy — forgetting that commoners, as well as the crowned, have every right to pursue the pinnacle of the Sport of Kings.
Olson and trainer Wilson Brown knew they had a long shot in 2002. It’sallinthechase went off at odds of 95-1, the longest in the field, and finished 16th among 18 horses.
When they think about their Derby experience, though, they remember the parties, the pride, the sheer magic of the week that culminated in the greatest two minutes of their racing lives.
"We were just a couple of country bumpkins who got the opportunity to do this," said Olson, who owns an insurance agency with offices in southern Minnesota. "I’m sure there were people who thought we didn’t belong, but nobody said it. Even though we were a long shot, we felt extremely welcome.
"We always had that hope of making the Derby, just like everyone who’s ever owned a thoroughbred. We decided this was our one chance. To see the gates open, to think, ‘Those are my colors out there,’ it was just fantastic."
Brown spotted It’sallinthechase at a Texas sale in 2001. He was immediately taken by the long-striding bay, but Olson got nervous when the auction bidding hit $25,000 — a pittance for a Derby horse, but a significant investment for him. Brown cajoled him into upping the ante, and Olson got the colt for $27,000.
Tags: canterbury, park
Saturday 03 May 2008 | Kara | Uncategorized
Warning: Apology. Please read at least half way before down-modding :).The Israeli government and military’s behavior have been far from perfect in their management of the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. It is incredibly important for soldiers to speak out and take a step against inhumane treatment of the Palestinians. Through the years of this conflict, the ‘extra-judicial’ violence appears to be drifting towards becoming more accepted in the army; this is a real problem and this report is a strong step forward in that respect.That said, it is important to hold Israel to high but not impossibly high moral standards. There is a long and healthy debate to be had about ethics and the responsibility that comes with having the upper hand in a conflict, and I am happy to discuss this.The particular point that I wish to articulate, however, lies with the 11-year old with a Molotov Cocktail.Imagine yourself as a 20 year old Israeli soldier, drafted into the Israeli army. A terror attack occurred in Tel Aviv last week and intelligence sources have gathered that the probable location of the bomb-making factory is within a particular village. You are sent as part of a brigade to raid the house and arrest (if possible) the bomb makers to prevent further attacks.As you make your way to the house, gunfire erupts from inside and your team leaps for cover. You and two other soldiers are pinned behind an abandoned truck. As you raise your gun and prepare to fire inside the house, you notice a child several meters behind you lighting a Molotov cocktail. Your choice is now - shoot the child and save yourself and your team, or likely die (and let your comrades near you die) in the ensuing explosion. It’s a choice that is difficult as hell to make and I don’t think there is a choice that will ever rest easily with someone once it is made.Either you die (and Israeli public opinion, seeing more soldiers’ deaths, tilts even further right, causing further incursions) or you shoot the boy, who will be on CNN and Al-Jazeera later that night as a civilian casualty of an unprovoked Israeli strike into a peaceful Palestinian village. Palestinian Extremists are, to their credit, incredibly able PR-manipulators.
As a young, opinionated, ignorant 20 something, I’m intrigued by your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Shovrim Shtika.org (breaking the silence)
my dick can penetrate far thicker and harder things.so pentagon is after me.
Why would it be? Have they stopped being Israeli and continued being Soldiers?
Good on ‘em.
why are so called “white people” so fucking red?