a run for the roses.

"If you're going to be crazy, you have to get paid for it or else you're going to be locked up." ~Hunter S. Thompson

Secretariat was the greatest racing horse that ever lived and may hold that title for the rest of time. He set records at both the Derby and the Belmont Stakes and while he was busy setting records left and right, he managed to win the coveted triple crown of horse racing. The "triple crown" in horse racing begins with the greatest of all horse races: the Kentucky Derby, held on the first Saturday of May at legendary Churchill Downs just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. From there the ponies get a breather for two weeks before heading to the Pimlico track in Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes! The last leg of the arduous journey for these mules is three weeks later way up in Elmont, New York at Belmont Park for the Belmont Stakes. Handily, Secretariat ran through those fool other horses finishing the Derby in less than 2 minutes, averaged out to almost 35 miles per hour and he was still speeding up in the last quarter mile stretch. The Preakness is slightly longer than the Derby and the Belmont is the longest track of the three.

To put this achievement in perspective, over nearly 140 years of races, only 11 horses have ever won the triple crown and none as handily as Secretariat. That'd be why they make movies and such about this horse, in case you were wondering. This weekend sparks the gentleman's sporting season: the triple crown race and the greatest two minutes in modern sports. 

Not everyone knows the story of how "Gonzo" journalism first reared its head in mainstream America, but it was actually at the 1970 Derby when the late, great, Hunter S Thompson kind of stumbled upon it. With a deadline looming, he basically just started sending pages from his journal and notes he'd taken while at the Derby back to his editor with page numbers on them. His efforts at the Derby that year were published in "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved" and in it he described the lascivious debauchery that took place while he was there in the infield and through the grandstands. One of the finest and shiniest jewels to come out of the Derby is the Mint Julep. It's like an American Mojito: bourbon and mint muddled with sugar, pour some ice in and fill the remaining with bourbon. Best served in a pewter or silver cup with a sprig of mint to garnish. Try it sometime, it's really easy to make and it's delicious. 

It's amazing this year that the Derby coincides with Cinco De Mayo. My initial plans for the weekend included getting Mad Mexican, again. Although now that the Derby is the same day, I am probably going to have to turn into some sort of Mexican Gentleman. Derby day requires at least one mint julep but after I can always resort to a regular Mexican Gentleman drink, the mojito. Same general concept as the julep but with rum and some sparkling water or club soda. 

I imagine a Mexican gentleman loves the horse races, tapas and cock-fights. This Saturday, in honor of these two great holidays and festivities, I suggest a trip to your local off-track betting establishment to revel in the Derby festivities followed by a jaunt to your favorite local Mexican haunt. The Derby normally goes off after 5pm but the whole day is filled with fun. Get your mint julep on and head over for some mojitos and a cock-fight to finish off the day. You'll never be happier.