The greatest performance I have ever seen - 2022 KY derby

[spaldy]

The long dry spell of no proper football has started. The only thing more depressing to me is the international breaks when we are playing well.

A little background. The KY derby is the biggest horse race in the US and some say in the world. As a part timer in KY it's one of our biggest events that happen all year. The entire state shuts down for it. They pack 200k into the stands and infield. It's an insane environment for the horses. Thoroughbreds are high strung horses sensitive to the surroundings. All of the horses are "3 years old" although so are a little younger. All thoroughbreds in the US use the same birthday (in spring sometime even though they aren't born on that date).

The are the best, and often the most expensive horses, in the world. For many this is their first huge race. They really are the best of the best. This horse's stable burnt before the race and killed all it's stable mates. They almost didn't even enter it due to the trauma and logistics issues due to the fire. He came in at 80-1

The race speaks for itself. These are not nags and ridden by the best jockeys in the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWCiiai94u8

Enjoy, may never happen like that again.

[spaldy]

PS- the announcer, a very good one in the horse racing world, did not mention the horses name once until he won it! Not sure I've ever seen that either.

[ozleeds]

American racing is weird not that horses aren't that great but are forced to go flat 0ut from start. Most countries racing is tactical and controlled. As horse have deficiencies eg no pace but tamina. In USA dubai and the like it's survival of the fittest.
In that clip the Jockey deserves as much of the accolade's as the horse as the amount of obstacles he faced to guide him to the win were soi many to count.

[spaldy]

I love the flat out racing.

However, they do have some strategy in the sense it is over a mile race (1.1 mile) Even the best horses have a hard time running flat out for that length.

Takes some big stones for these jockeys to ride in those packs or along the rail. some bad things can happen really quickly. Many horses don't like to be hemmed in or along the rail. Needless the say the horse will usually win in a battle of will!

Been around a fair amount of livestock in my life. However, race horses still make me the most nervous. They are so strong and can be skittish. it's odd because they are often used for therapy for autistic and challenged kids. They seem to form bonds with them almost instantly. I think they can sense with me that I'm nervous around them.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

I love the flat out racing.

However, they do have some strategy in the sense it is over a mile race (1.1 mile) Even the best horses have a hard time running flat out for that length.

Takes some big stones for these jockeys to ride in those packs or along the rail. some bad things can happen really quickly. Many horses don't like to be hemmed in or along the rail. Needless the say the horse will usually win in a battle of will!

Been around a fair amount of livestock in my life. However, race horses still make me the most nervous. They are so strong and can be skittish. it's odd because they are often used for therapy for autistic and challenged kids. They seem to form bonds with them almost instantly. I think they can sense with me that I'm nervous around them.

Used to go to the Wetherby and York races in younger days and been to Cheltenham more recently. Don?t like betting much but there is a certain buzz from the stands that makes it a great day out.