Welcome to the Party

If there ever was a week when I wish God would say, "I'm going to take nap...take over," this is it.

I'd like to start by first welcoming you to the party. If you think this is presumptious of me please take note of the opening sentence.

First off, we've gotten anouncements from a couple who won't be able to make it come Saturday. Xchanger evidently did not find a buyer in time so he'll take a time out and reload for another classic. Also exiting stage left is Cobalt Blue, one of three trained by Doug O'Neill who was badly beaten in the Illinois Derby. Blue is owned by Merv Griffin, a man as plagued by bad Derby luck as he is fortunate in creating entertaining day time television game shows. I've never seen an owner so thrilled to be headed to Louisville after Cobalt Blue won a big stakes race earlier in the year in California. The man sang my "My Old kentucky Home" on national television while Jeanine Edwards looked on unsure of whether to throw it back to the studio or sing harmony. "I'll take Businesses in the Right Place at the Right Time for $1000 Alex. Answer: This company saw a huge surge in profits after Merv Griffin learned Cobalt Blue would not run in the Kentucky Derby. Beep beep. David? What is Ben & Jerry's? Right you are!" Griffin also owned the ill fated Stevie Wonderboy who was all but handed the roses before falling to injury. The sport needs more Merv Griffins, he brings a shot of enthusiasm we dont see often enough.

So who takes their place? The first in is Teuflesberg, 4th in the Blue Grass, 3rd in the Rebel, 2nd in horses I wish they'd rename. The second entrant is I'mawildandcrazyguy. If you don't know anything about this horse, please look him up and let me know because I dont either. I'm fairly certain he was mediocre on the west coast and has a goofy name. (This is where you need to be for the hard hitting analysis you cant find anywhere else.) So that's it. Looks like we have our 20. Only problem is we have no speed so the pace should be slow. I'm curious to see whether Churchill tightens up the track a little bit to allow a quicker pace. You'll know early in the afternoon when allowance runners start setting track records. It should also be noted the D Wayne wont be sending a horse this year. Lukas' horses are a bit like the guy who always comes into criminal law hung over. I'm annoyed that he's on the same playing field as me but at least I know I can beat him.

Derby party prep events are in full swing with a spreadsheet of tasks laid out before me indiciating which days I should do which things. Yesterday I cleaned the stairs. Today I went to Kroger to check on the mint leaves. No, not buy the leaves, I just wanted to say hello and let them know I'd be back for them in a couple days. Still have to clean the place up, repaint the flamingos in the front yard, change the blocks under the T-Bird, grab the drinks and we're good to go. Looking forward to seeing those in attendance in their Sunday finery.

Special thanks to the goading of the Crafty Veteran and Old School Nasty for making me realize there are more important things than studying for finals. I'd like to take this opportuninty to remind Old School that this year's party will require another CD with another, slightly creepier, version of Talk Dirty To Me, dubbed over like a 40 year old roller skating rink announcer inserting a kid's name into the zany happy birthday song.

For a much better analysis of the weekend's events check out Patrick's blog over at Pulling Hair (the link is on the right) and also the thoroughbred bloggers he has links to on the right side of his page. I dont think any of these horseplayers will rule out a horse on name bias alone.

More to follow soon, let me know if you see something I've missed.