DAWN REED

My beloved and I make it a point to watch the Kentucky Derby every year. Our interest in the daylong pre-race ebbs and flows, but when the ponies go into the Paddock, we are front and center, holding our breath for the mile and a quarter race.

Before the Derby, we each make our choices for the winner. We don’t bet any money but just want to guess it right. He always picks a gray horse while I ponder the names. This year, I chose Summer is Tomorrow and Smile Happy.

The pre-race commentaries labored on.

There was mention of an unknown horse by the name of Rich Strike. Apparently, he had been added to the roster a few minutes before the deadline Friday night. He hadn’t won anything significant. His odds were 80-1.

Mike Smith hoped to make history as the oldest jockey to win the Derby. Though he was riding Taiba, we were rooting for him, too. Any guy who could fold himself up on a horse like Mike at age 56 had our votes.