The Great Race June 6, 2015

The Great Race June 6,2015 Dress is unimportant. At least today. I can arrive at the local bar and grill in old gardening jeans and t-shirt. We'll order a mid-afternoon sandwich. But the main reason is not to eat (though their sandwiches are fine), it's to watch the Belmont Stakes. We can't call ourselves horse racing fans – we know almost nothing about horses or racing and have never bet a dime. But the excitement around a possible Triple Crown winner is irresistible. We're keeping our fingers crossed that American Pharaoh, winner of the Preakness and Kentucky Derby, triumphs. Why are we not watching the race at home? No cable TV. We miss a lot of major sporting events that we once effortlessly watched – tennis, golf, basketball, baseball, football. Tournaments which determine the best of the best used to be available on the internet. No longer. It's pay to watch now, and we're too cheap to pay. So it's off for a beer, snack, and the great horse race ... And an historic race it was. Not since 1978 has there been a Triple Crown champion – a long dry period between winners. American Pharaoh won handily, running with grace and endurance. The horse seemed pleased. The jockey was thrilled. The trainer was delighted. And the owners excited. It's a strange sport though. The horse did all the work, while the jockey, trainer and owners got all the credit. Those in the know praise the brilliant trainer. Evidently he is, along with the horse, the best of the best. Celebrations surely meant champagne all around and an extra bag of oats for American Pharaoh.