Two weeks.

It’s getting closer to Derby Day but it’s still a little too early to be listing favorites. I hope to - once it gets a little closer to race day.

To run in the Kentucky Derby, Thoroughbreds must be 3 years old, and must have run a certain amount of graded stakes races to get an invitation. That is the simplest way to explain what is a pretty complex process. In essence, a chance to run the Kentucky Derby involves a lot of climbing the ladder, and proving the horse has the chops.

The field won’t be set until draw day. At the draw, the horses are randomly assigned their post position. The draw for the Derby will happen the week of the race, which happens for all races. Usually, the horse’s name is drawn then a corresponding number of a hole, 1 through 20, is drawn. They are actually drawn from a hat or a jar or the like, hence the name.  The closer you are to the No.1 hole, the closer the horse is to the inside. That can be good, depending on the horse. Trainers hope for the hole that they know their horse will  run best in. If they need to get out and get ahead right away, an inside hole is best. If the horse breaks real well from the outside, that might be OK, he can get out and in front and move to the inside of the track early.

Although there are about four races left that can help sway a horses’ chances of getting into the Derby, the Daily Racing Forum has already listed its top 20 contenders.  Sadly, I don’t see any girls (i.e. fillies, mares, female horses).

Here they are, as of Thursday, according to the DRF:

• Dialed In
• Uncle Mo
• Nehro
• Archarcharch
• Toby’s Corner
• Midnight Interlude
• Mucho Macho Man
• Master of Hounds
• Pants On Fire
• Soldat
• Animal Kingdom
• Brillant Speed
• Comma to the Top
• Shackleford
• Santiva
• Stay Thirsty
• Twinspired
• Decisive Moment
• Twice the Appeal
• Watch Me Go

Mint Juleps aren’t always that great.

Similar to a Mojito, they’re made of basically just mint, bourbon, sugar and water.

I think they sound more fun than they are. But, since they are the historic drink of the Kentucky Derby – an official association since 1938 – I’ll likely try one, on May 7.

Since I won’t be going to see the Derby live, I’m hoping to find a server who knows what they’re doing when it comes to mixing one up.

A little tip: traditionally, mint juleps were often served in silver or pewter cups, and held only by the bottom and top edges of the cup.

So, anyone have any suggestions for the best place to watch the Derby/hold a Derby Day party? I’m in the process of finishing my hat – I just need the venue now.

I used to pretty much show up on race day, say hello to the parents and horses then head on up to the front side to watch the races. Oh, and of course, I’d be ready to step into the winner’s circle for our picture when we won.

A lot has changed since then. Now I show up and am immediately put to work, but I have to admit: I think I like this a lot more.

To be on the back side of the racetrack, you must be licensed at every track you are at. My parents are owners, and Mom is a licensed trainer. (She trains our horses and those of other owners.)

To get a trainer’s license, you actually have to take a written test, as trainers are responsible for just about every aspect of the horses’ lives at the track. They employee the grooms.

Then there is me. I am a licensed groom. To get a groom’s license, you pretty much just have to have a trainer sign off that you work for them. There may not be the same “qualifications” but grooms are still important.

Grooms are usually assigned only a few horses in a trainer’s stable. They are then responsible for feeding, bathing, walking and grooming the horses plus cleaning stalls on a daily basis.

On race day, I (like most grooms) get the horse ready for the race, I walk them to the paddock, hold the horse while the trainer (Mom) saddles and eventually I hand the horse (and jockey) off to the pony horse as they step onto the track at post time. Since Mom insists on ponying her own horses for the race, she has to have someone hold her pony while she runs to the paddock, saddles, then runs back to her pony to hop on before I get there with the horse and jockey.

Canterbury and Prairie Meadows offer a great program called Groom Elite. The course started in Texas but has grown to tracks across the country. The 101 class teaches the basics of grooming, such as how to tack up on race day, how to do leg wraps or correctly use a lip shank. (That’s not as bad as it sounds; it is a little chain that goes on the inside of a horse’s lip when leading it. It is not to be jerked on, rather held with some pressure, because it causes the horse’s body to release endorphins, calming it, and making it feel rather nice, actually.)

The class also teaches a number of physical and physiological aspects of horses.
I’ve graduated from both the 101 and 201 courses. Even though, I had my groom license before taking the courses,  there were many things I’ve always known but I liked that the class showed me why we do what we do. 

Mom attended the track’s “graduation ceremony.” I could have sworn she was more proud of me then, than at my college or high school graduations (and I even graduated both with honors).  

However, the best part was probably the fact that taking the classes forced my mom to allow me to “practice” on our horses – wrapping legs, tacking up; all things my slightly-obsessive-horsewoman-of-a-mom used to prefer to do herself.  The only downside of all this: Once I finally wormed my way into showing her I could do it all, I’m now expected to do it. But, I can live with that.