Horse power vs. Horsepower

Two minutes can't go by fast enough for this group of 

horses. While adding a touch of high society, isn't horse

racing just NASCAR with whips?

It's that time of the year again. Tomorrow we will trade in our fancy electronics for one of the oldest and most exciting events in the sports world – the Kentucky Derby.

What is it about horse racing that draws thousands of people to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May? Is it the taste of high-class society? The fact that everybody is wearing hats that put Princess Beatrice's hat to shame? Or maybe people just enjoy seeing little people try and steer an animal that's about four times their size by using a whip?

Whatever the reason, there's no shame in enjoying one of the great American sporting events. It seems like every entry has a story, and I for one, often enjoy hearing the backstory behind each horse.

On top of that, the amount of manpower and the hours put in to get ready for Saturday's race are astonishing. From the bookies taking bets to the people who groom the horses and lead them to the track, nothing can compare in terms of getting ready for this kind of event – not the Super Bowl, not the World Series – nothing.

But really, if you think about it, isn't the Kentucky Derby just the Daytona 500 with less horsepower (my apologies for the terrible pun)?

There's something about sipping mint juleps and singing "My Old Kentucky Home" that makes it acceptable by the wealthier class, whereas drinking beer on top of your RV is just trashy. In fact, several people will put on their Sunday best on Saturday, then turn around and wear a faded T-shirt and jeans with holes in them on Sunday. To those people, I salute you for living life the way you desire.

So as you turn on ESPN and listen to countless hours of predictions and heart-warming stories while drinking mint juleps and trying to figure out which horse to put your life savings on, just remember not to overdo it. Two minutes may go by in the blink of an eye, but the folks at NASCAR also like racing in circles at high speeds... and they don't use whips. 

Of course, if whips, hats and beasts of burden are your thing, then you just have to wait a couple of weeks to enjoy high society again... or contact your local escort service.