Nothing Better: The Run For The Roses

Funny Cide crossing the finish line to win
the 2003 Kentucky Derby

Republican-American: Are they running for those darn roses again? For most of us, that means a few things, like: How much money should we wager, and lose? They may wear fancy hats in Louisville, but I just need something floppy so no one sees me shuffling into OTB. And lastly, how can those people drink all those Mint Juleps that early in the day?

The most exciting two minutes in sport returns: It is the 137th Kentucky Derby.

On one occasion, I was privileged to write about thoroughbred racing. It was obvious, instantly: There is no better sport.

Nothing compares.

The athletes never give you grief. They just eat, dump, sleep, and run fast, except my horse. He just ambles along.

Horse owners love to chat with the press. Why else would they do this if it wasn't for the action?

Jockeys are tremendous interviews. These guys cheat death eight or nine times in an afternoon. They could care less what you think or say. Besides, hanging out in the jockey room makes you feel like Richard Dreyfus in "Close Encounters."

You know what I mean.

The vast array of characters, in the barns, along the back rail, are fascinating, quirky, and irritable, in a delightful way. Trainers may be brash, but they have a real-world perspective.

Hey, they sleep in a barn with a horse, and rise every day at 4 a.m. That lifestyle does not attract phonies.

Some trainers are cocky as all get out, but let's face it: When you are talking to a man with horse manure on his shoes, how arrogant can he get?

For one day a year, the first Saturday of May, we all care deeply about thoroughbred racing. It is the only time that gambling doesn't seem like a vice, when even grandma asks, "Are you going to OTB?"

Of course, we cannot think of this day without thinking of our guy, Dave Mahan. In 2003 Mahan, who was born in Naugatuck, lived in Watertown, worked in Wolcott, took us for a ride atop Funny Cide, the one-in-a-million purchase who dragged a working-man's ownership group into the elite circle of the Sport of Kings with victories in the Derby and Preakness.

Mahan died of brain cancer in 2009, at the very young age of 61. I have glimpsed him three times this week in Derby preview videos that pop up everywhere. They rekindle remarkable memories.

Mahan made a lot of money on Funny Cide, but his catering and banquet business was already doing fine. The Funny Cide phenomenon was not about cashing a winning ticket.

Born with a gift for turning a phrase, the best quote Mahan gave me had nothing to do with money, and everything to do with history. I asked him what was the best and most remarkable part of Funny Cide's Derby victory, and he said: "They will never make another Mint Julep glass without Funny Cide's name on it."

So true, Dave, so true.

So scour the Racing Form for tips, grab that dusty bottle of bourbon in the cupboard, pinch off those mint leaves, and scrounge in the drawer for the muddler. It's Derby Day.

Kentucky Derby May Have First Female Winner

Hampton Roads: Getting an early start on a career always helps.

Rosie Napravnik couldn't have begun any younger: Her mother rode show horses - and she didn't stop after learning she was pregnant. "I was riding in the womb," Napravnik said, "and ever since."

Bouncing around in the saddle before birth didn't produce her uncanny sense of pace, but it couldn't have hurt. At 2, the redheaded farm girl from New Jersey was on a pony. At 7, after her first pony race, she decided she'd become a jockey. At 23, she'll try to be the first woman to ride a Kentucky Derby winner.

Can Rosie get the roses?

Catching on quickly comes naturally to Napravnik, who at 17 went to Pimlico's winner's circle in her career debut. Last year, she was the first woman to lead the standings at Delaware Park, and this winter her 110 victories won the Fair Grounds title. Her career highlight? Taking the $1 million Louisiana Derby her first time on Pants On Fire, her Derby mount Saturday for trainer Kelly Breen.

She's pretty and petite (5-2, 114 pounds), but also fearless and cool. "My fiance criticizes me for never getting excited about anything," Napravnik said. "When the owner asked whether I wanted to ride in the Derby, I was sarcastic and said, 'Yes, I don't think I have anything else to do that day.' But if we win, definitely tears."

Napravnik said farm chores growing up created her work ethic. "I think coming up from the bottom taught me a lot of horsemanship. I think it really gave me a good foundation."

Getting respect from male riders, however, took time. "I feel like I'm treated equally with the guys now," she said. "But every time you go to a new place, you get tested. At the Fair Grounds, those Cajuns are tough, and at first they tried to be as intimidating as possible. By the end, I think they were very happy for my success."

She credits trainer Michael Stidham and his assistant, Joe Sharp, for encouraging her to compete at the Fair Grounds. Sharp, by the way, is her fiance.

After going 2 for 66 at ultra-competitive Keeneland, Napravnik won twice Saturday on Churchill's opening night. "I was hoping it would set a precedent for this meet," she said. "I really feel Pants On Fire is as talented as anybody in the field."

"He runs with an extreme amount of heart."

Confidence has never been a problem for Napravnik. Kelly Wietsma represents her and Mike Repole, Uncle Mo's owner. "I told Rosie I couldn't put Pants On Fire ahead of Uncle Mo, but I could hope for a dead heat," Wietsma said. "Rosie said, 'OK, I'll wait for Mo at the wire.' "