Upon St. (Santa) Margarita Day!

It’s no surprise to those who come here often that I tend to get a bit “pumped up” on big time racing days.  No speech in the history of mankind does the trick in terms of getting the mind ready for these days more than the rousing St. Crispin’s Day speech delivered by HenryV as the “poor starved band” of English prepared to receive their French host at Agincourt.

This actually began with a bit of wine-induced posting over on Ernie Munick’s Facebook page, and then over on the TVG Community. This isn’t the first time I’ve offered a (bad) paraphrase of the speech in an attempt to capture the moment.  These, my friends, are the days we live for!  Take Back Saturday!!! Rachel and Zenyatta!!!!!

Don’t forget, if you can’t get the races live on television, the NTRA will be offering LIVE video streaming of BOTH races at www.ntra.com.

And so, I humbly present the following, in honor of the return of Zenyatta in the Santa Margarita and Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies.

“Proclaim it, racing fans through my host.
That he who hath no stomach to this race,
may he depart.

His passport shall be made and crowns for convoy placed in his purse.
We would not cheer in that mans company, who fears his fellowship to cheer our girls home.

They call this race the New Orleans Ladies.
And she, who wins tomorrow and comes safe home,
will stand a tip-toe when this day is named, and rouse him at the name of Rachel.

And she who shall win this day, at Santa Anita,
will yearly, on the vigil, feast her neighbors,
And say ‘tomorrow is Santa Margarita.”
Then will she strip her saddle and show her scars,
and say ‘these wounds I had on St. Margarita Day.”

All fans forget, and all shall be forgot,
but she’ll remember, with advantages what FEATS she did that day!

Then shall their names, familiar in our mouths as household words:
Zenyatta, the Classic champion
Rachel, the Horse of the Year
Be in our flowing cups freshly remembered.

These stories, shall the good fan teach his son!!!

And Saturday shall ne’er go bye,
from this day, to the ENDING OF THE WORLD,
but they in it shall be remembered.
These happy two. This band of sisters.

For any filly or mare who races for us this day shall be our daughter. Be she ne’er so vile. This day shall gentle her condition.

And racing fans in horsedom shall think themselves a-CURSED they were not here,
and hold their MANHOODS CHEAP,
whilst any speaks -

who watched with us…….upon this Saturday!!!!”

Now bestow yourself, loyal fans, for our ladies are bravely in their battles set and shall with all expedience race before us!

Go, brave horses, race away, and as thou pleasest all, WIN THE DAY!!!!!

By the way, since I didn’t post any handicapping picks this weekend, here’s a quick 50-cent Pick 4 for Tampa Bay starting in the Hillsborough (Race 8).

1,4,6 with 3,6 with 2,4,6,9 with 6,7

Should be a $24 play.  Even though Odysseus is my boy, I had to add in Super Saver so as not to avoid getting “Pletchered” again here.  I also think Charly and Schoolyard Dreams make some sense in the Tampa Bay Derby, but my gut tells me Odysseus and Super Saver are the best horses in this race.

Best of luck to all!  We’ll close with an awesome video that started making it’s rounds a few days ago. Remember the famed “keyboard cat” of youtube fame?  Behold: the next generation.

Play ‘em off for me, Keyboard Cat!

Hells yeah. I could get used to that!  Boo-boo. Boo-boo-boo-BOO-boo (meow)