Upset is in the Air

It was a surprising weekend of upsets at the Derby and the Oaks but in horse racing almost anything can happen.  The Gamine that we have grown to love did not show up and she finished third to a very fast Shedaresthedevil, who set a stakes record in the Oaks.  The first quarter mile was blazing fast.  Trainer Brad Cox won a G1 earlier in the day with my favorite chestnut mare racehorse, Monomoy Girl, who appears to be back in total winning form at age five after a year layoff. He had a very good day at the office on Friday with two G1 wins. Interestingly, both the winner and the runner-up, Swiss Skydiver, are by the same sire, Daredevil who now stands in Turkey.  Maybe we'll see him returning to the US?

(ESPN Photo)

The expected winner in the Derby, Tiz the Law, was no match for Baffert-trained Authentic, who seemed to right the ship for Baffert's Oaks (he trains Gamine).  Baffert's day was not going too well when Thousand Words reared in the paddock and fell, knocking trainer Jimmy Barnes, sending him to the hospital with a broken arm.  The horse was pulled from the race.  When Authentic took the lead, he never faltered and ran a wire-to-wire winning race (again).  Many thought he would not have the stamina to go the distance after almost getting beat in the Haiskell a few weeks ago by NY Traffic.  But he showed up big time.  

(NYT Photo)

At the US Open in Flushing Meadows, the Canadians appear to be marching towards victory like last year, when Bianca Andreescu unexpectedly won the women's title (she is not playing this year due to injury).  Vasek Pospisil slayed another dragon yesterday by beating Roberto Bautista Agut.  He took out Milos Raconic earlier in the week.  Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also still in the round of 16.

Missing not being there in person, but at least it's still going......You can pretend like you were there by wearing a 2020 shirt. I likely would have picked this one up if I had been there.

Or stitch this cute ornament for your tree for 2021.  See it here.

Or this one.  See it here.

Or this one to remember the Kentucky Derby like no other.  See it here.

I love sports and can never get enough of good horse racing, tennis, golf, and show jumping.  It takes such dedication, motivation, and the ability to focus on a goal.  We all need to live our everyday lives with that mantra and sadly we do not.  These college kids returning to campuses around the US, with no interest in doing the right thing - social distancing, not going to bars, following the rules - so that everyone benefits - they need to be taught a few lessons in life.  It's not about them.  We have taught this generation nothing.