The Belmont Stakes Aftermath and Some Happy News

The Triple Chrome (typo intentional) was not meant to be for America’s favorite horse, California Chrome. This year’s Belmont Stakes results were so disappointing.

Here’s a tweet straight from the horse’s mouth, er, hoof. iPhone?

 

Saturday I panicked when I was in my car on the way to Trader Joe’s (grocery store) after running a few errands and I realized, “The race is going to take place in six minutes!”

Thankfully, I had DVR-ed the race coverage, but I felt like a space cadet realizing I had not figured out how to coordinate my Saturday activities to align in such a way I could watch the race live.

I confessed my error in judgment to the cashier at Trader Joe’s and she told me about a sitcom episode in which the characters recorded the Super Bowl to watch it the next day and the dramatic tension was that they had to go through their daily activities without overhearing the football game results so they could watch it in its entirety later.

I then mentioned my friend Ellie who is a huge Rafa Nadal (shoutout to the French Open champion!) fan and how she recorded all the major tennis tournaments and there have been times I’ve been told I couldn’t talk to her about a match because she didn’t know the results yet.

Once I had adjusted my thinking to watching the recorded version, I then realized, “I left the TV on, I’m going to walk in and see the post-race coverage! So I’ll know anyway!” Crap.

I opened the door and the house was silent. TV off. Thank you, Mark!

So I first said hi to the dogs, put my refrigerated items in the fridge. I thought it odd my mom hadn’t texted me at this point.

I did not have a good vibe.

When I sat on the couch, turned on the TV and set the remote to DVR mode, I caught a glimpse of a jockey on a bay horse. I lOVE bays, but this was NOT what I wanted to see. I was looking for the red horse with the white markings.

I rewound the video. This didn’t seeming promising, but I told myself maybe that was the coverage from an earlier race (even though I knew it was live TV).

So I forwarded through the hours of pre-race and basically took it all the way to the trio of champion Triple Crown jockeys commanding, “Riders up!” and then watched what you all know was a non-win for my Twitter crush, #CalChrome.

After the race Twitter was bursting with commentary from experts, laymen and random people who have no interest in horses who like to be heard via social media. For example, one woman tweeted that it’s Obama’s fault California Chrome didn’t win. (Huh?)

Victor Espinosa, California Chrome’s jockey tweeted: “Thank you to everyone for your support on this journey, you are awesome! I hope California Chrome gets better soon.”

There was a photo attachment of a bloody gouge just above Chrome’s hoof. So thaaat’s why he didn’t win. He was injured. Poor boy.

Many people were calling California Chrome’s co-owner a sore loser because he spoke out hotly against the people who do not enter their horses in all three of the Triple Crown races (Tonalist the winner was not in the other two races). He made a comment about his horse having a target on his back from the beginning.

Others tweeted their agreement with his stance.

I don’t want to get caught up in controversy, but I think the owner has a point. Another person on Twitter said it was like he went to the auditions, the actor’s workshops, and then they gave the Broadway role to the skinnier model.

My basketball-obsessed teen nephew in Florida texted me (and he NEVER texts me, literally) the following message. I was thrilled to hear from him.

And then we went on to have a very sweet aunt-nephew text exchange about his summer job, basketball shoes, etc. That made my day.

And the icing on the cake: I got a phone call from a Thoroughbred rescue! There is a horse I expressed interest in and filled out an application for. I received a response right away and from the sound of it,we might possibly be a fit! I don’t want to go into details now in case it doesn’t work out, but he is tall, dark, and handsome! And has already had an 11-year old on him and was a good boy!

I was very up front with the rescue lady that I was doing some traveling at the end of this week, right as school gets out and I won’t be around until after July 4th.

She said there was no rush! They want to put some weight on him and work with him over fences.

I said that if someone else came along and timing-wise, it didn’t work out because of the high interest in this horse, I would be okay with that.

“I waited 38 years to meet the right man, I can wait for my next horse.” (Just not 38 years please).

She said, “I would like to give you first right of refusal. From what you’ve told me about yourself and your goals, and from what I can tell so far about him, I think this could be a really great fit. And I’m really good with matching up riders to horses.”

My spirit soared. I shared the joyous news with my husband. He had told me a few hours earlier, “I fancy myself becoming an expert rider.” Yes, my California-born, beach loving husband used the word “fancy” as a verb.

“I guess we’ll have to get two horses so we can both ride.” (I’m such a practical Midwesterner.)

“Let’s stick to one for now,” Mark said.

I’m okay with that!

I texted my dear friend whom I lived with as roommates for almost a decade to tell her my horse news. Here’s a snippet of our exchange.

I don’t know how this whole horse search will play out, but I’m exercising my due diligence.

When school gets out in four days, I know what I’ll be doing this summer! Looking for my next best friend.

And I heard a rumor that California Chrome might be racing at The Breeder’s Cup in November. Some of you know I teach two miles away from Santa Anita, the site of this year’s event. Maybe I’ll find someone who can be my “in” to get tickets so I can see my chestnut heartthrob race.

If not, it’ll be okay.

I fancy I’ll be riding my own horse by then.

And I just might have to figure out a new name for this blog.

Did you get to see the Belmont Stakes? What are your thoughts on the whole affair?

Do you have any advice for how to know you’ve met the right one–horse that is?

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