Run for the Roses

Today was the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby, the creme de la creme of American horse racing. And the winner was……..American Pharoah. My computer doesn't like that spelling, and neither do I, but that is the way it is spelled. 

The Kentucky Derby is steeped in tradition…mint juleps, ladies in ever more frivolous and ridiculous hats, roses, a red coated bugler with the call to the post, the sentimental playing of 'My Old Kentucky Home" and a two minute race culminating with a massive collar of roses on the winning horse. We're not terribly interested in horse racing, but we always watch the Kentucky Derby, just as we always watch the Memorial Day Indianapoils 500 Formula One car race.

I was astonished to see footage of the Dutchess of Cambridge, looking poised and lovely, standing on the steps of the hospital with William and their hours old daughter as they left for Kensington palace. The last thing on earth I would want to do hours after giving birth is stand up before a huge crowd, adoring as they might have been. Congratulations!