Early May brings you Star Wars day and now the Kentucky Derby in the same week. Freaking Han Solo did not get me the day off for the Star Wars day. On Festivus day I will air my grievances about Star Wars day and maybe next year I lean to the Dark side to pull some strings for me. But the Kentucky Derby is the BIG DADDY of all the horse races. It excites you like Opening day in baseball and the Super Bowl. I can’t forget the Indy car 500 for you gear heads out there. Spring is in full force when Kentucky Derby weekend is upon us. The smell of grilling is in the air. Big colorful floppy hats in your sights. Great for people watching with their hats and the outfits they wear. I love when these people wear the hats and outfits on another day. Derby day has Mint Julips dancing in your system. While everyone thinks they have the winning horse handicapped to perfection. It’s like watching a bunch of Fred Flintstones thinking they will get rich from the bet of the year.

DID NOT KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS A HORSE IN PLAY?

 

PATCH

Patch was born in east LA. Lost his eye in a knife fight. Kidding!!! Patch will be running today in the Kentucky Derby as a long shot. He has one eye and he will be on the outside of the starting gate and not able to see the other horses when they start out. He is number 20 and this horse has an inspiring story. He is a three year old horse whose dad is the 2012 Belmont Stakes winner, Union Rags. His grampa won the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders cup. In his circle he went by the name of A.P Indy.

Last year Patch’s eye was swollen. It was causing him pain as it looked like it was not getting any better by the signs. They tried all the treatments they could but nothing was responding. They decided the best for the horse was to remove his eye. Actually Patch will be the fourth horse in Derby history to run the race with one eye. The surgery went well and the horse showed no signs of pain. After his recovery he won his first race he entered.

THE WILD SHAMROCK LONG SHOT TO WIN: PATCH

I hope Patch does well in the race. Obviously for his inspirational story. When I was a kid I went to Ireland and my Aunt Kathleen and my Uncle Joseph had a dog name Patches. He had his eyesight. He was a very cool dog as he had colored patches of fur around his eyes which is how he got his name.

My Mum and dad are big into the horse racing. My mum was always known to have a few mint julips and a floppy hat and always went down to Kentucky and to be present for the derby. Her side kick Dorothy was her Thelma in Thelma and Louise type of friendship of fun in their wild and crazy adventures involving a yellow convertible they called the yellow submarine. This machine saw lots of horse tracks and apple picking days. With my Mum’s Irish eyes smiling and a mint julip in her hand , she is going with

#17 HORSE  IRISH WAR CRY  $2.00 ACROSS

 

WE NOW BRING IN OUR EXPERT

He’s faster than a herd of snails. He’s known as Mr. Big in the casino world. He can eat a slider for any meal of the day. The man has his own seat at the local OTB. He has friends in his circle he calls Cadillac Tom and Vietnam Joe.

Marty the Party Serbins

Marty was born of the North side of Chicago so we will only subtract a few points from him. Marty has loved the horses since he was a wee lad. You hear about kids sneaking down to the ball park to catch a day game of their favorite team. But Marty would return bottles, cut a lawn, massage some old lady’s feet to earn some cash to ride his bike down to Arlington race track to place a bet. The ultimate mecca in his world as he wore his 29 inch waist for decades taking it all in the smell of food in the air with a tint of sweaty animals. I remember the first time walking into Comisky Park, the feeling and the atmosphere so hard to explain… but Marty had that with horses as he was handicapping them at a young age. His biggest jackpot he won on a long shot he invested in a ring for the love of his life. Marty Serbins is the Wild Shamrock Blog expert in the horse world.

Marty’s Kentucky Derby predictions:

WIN: IRISH WAR CRY

PLACE:GUNNEVERA

SHOW:ALWAYS DREAMING

SLEEPER:GIRVIN

We know our picks will not hold Marty’s tighty whities but we will try

WINNER: MCCRACKEN

PLACE:THE CLASSIC EMPIRE

We are picking the Classic Empire in hope that Darth and the gang prevail to secure us next year the day off on Star wars day.

SHOW:GIRVIN

OUR SLEEPER:PRACTICAL JOKE

Because we want to kill the BATMAN