It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.....

No, not March Madness (close second). Not even the first WVU football game (close second 2.0). Yes, my fellow sports fans, the most wonderful time of the year happens this Saturday, May 7 in a little place called Louisville, Kentucky. It's an event that is over in two minutes and features the toughest and hairiest athletes in the world.....next to the German Women's wrestling team (I kid, I kid...danke schoen). You guessed it, it's Kentucky Derby time.

But before the main event happens on Saturday, a lesser-known, but equally thrilling race occurs on Friday evening. The Kentucky Oaks, or "Lillies for the Fillies" as the race is affectionately known, features the best 3 year old fillies in horse racing. The Oaks garners favor with the locals, and that fact alone warms a place in this sports-o-nista's heart. Because if it's good enough for the locals, it's good enough for me.

Probably not many of you out there follow the Oaks, but I'd like to share a story with you that might peak your interest for future races. In 2009 (two years ago...do the math), a filly named Rachel Alexandra was making waves. She was a tough and talented broad, but her owners didn't want to race her against her colt counterparts. After blasting the competition in the Oaks (winning by 20 1/4 lengths...that's a lot, trust me), Miss Rachel was sold to a new owner, who suddenly realized that perhaps he should be racing her in higher graded stakes. Next thing you know, that little filly stole the Triple Crown from Mine That Bird due to a sworn allegiance by her crazy cajun of a jockey Calvin Borel, who had ridden both horses to victory at Churchill Downs but picked Rachel as his mount for the Preakness. Long story short, Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness, the 2009 Eclipse Award Horse of the Year and is now breeding somewhere in a California field.

Why do I tell you this story, you ask? Because, frankly, I'm still bitter about Mine That Bird losing and needed to vent. But let's let by gones be by gones, shall we? On Friday, let's all raise our drinks* in celebration of Ladies' Day in Kentucky.

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Official Drink of the Kentucky Oaks...the Oaks Lilly:
The Oaks Lily® ingredients include:

• 1 oz. Vodka
• 1 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
• 3 oz. Cranberry Juice
• Splash of Triple Sec

When the ingredients are mixed, place the pinkish cocktail in an official Oaks Lily® glass (stem-less wine glass) with crushed ice, add a straw and garnish with an orange wedge and cherry.



After you're done drinking, tune in on Friday for my offical Derby Post!