It is usually easy to reflect on the merits of the winner after the Derby. Two days later I still have a hard time believing that Mine That Bird won let alone dominated the 135th Kentucky Derby. On the positive side of the ledger he did have a good pedigree, solid juvenile foundation, and an experienced  jockey who made saving ground first priority. However he was just too slow. He had been undistinguished in New Mexico and his 81 top meant he'd struggle to compete against entry level allowance horses. His trainer was unknown and had a pitiful 1 for 32 record in minor league circuit. On paper Mine That Bird did not belong in the Derby.

As fate would have it I was so preoccupied with my Derby party that I didn't have a chance to reevaluate the race once I Want Revenge was scratched. The weather was terrible in Memphis and we watched the forecast all morning trying to figure out if we should go forward with our big party (approx. 40 adults and 30 kids). Around noon we decided to persevere and started to set things up so most of the activity would be inside and to make phone calls to parents encouraging them to bring bathing suits for the kids. It rained and was chilly (mid-60s) all during the party but the kids had a blast on the inflatable slide and moonbounce. When it was race time we gathered all the rain-soaked kids in the house and had them picks horses out of a hat. The holder of the race winner would get a $50 Amazon gift certificate. Since we had more kids than horses entered in the Derby I added additional hopeless longshots. There were three Mine That Bird tickets but only two were drawn (one by my six year old daughter Caroline).

As for my betting - I lost $120 on Derby day. I only got part of my bet down in the 3rd race and had $100 on Purrfect Alibi at Belmont (dead last). It would've been alot worse if I had the time to work up some new wagers. At the last minute I started to key in a $300 Win bet on Friesan Fire but 7/2 was way too short so I backed down. Good thing.