I used to think horsemen were the greatest people in the industry. Without question, they are great. At every track the horsemen are a family, a large and sometimes quarreling family, but they take care of each other and, of course, the horses. You´ll never meet a stranger on the backside.

Lately, I´ve found this was the same with fans. Many fans have regular gathering places, and if someone doesn´t show up, the others worry, just like family. Fans are also often friendly and helpful and love sharing their handicapping secrets! After all, it´s a game of wits and we love to share our knowledge and savvy. And just like in any other family, there's always the friendly competition for bragging rights as each member gives their opinion of how a race will turn out, and the one who had it right will make sure you never forget it. But those who didn't get it right are never bitter. Instead they congratulate the winner and are proud to be associated with that person, just as you would be proud of a family member's accomplishments.

Recently I attended a tour group at Churchill Downs and had a lot of fun talking with the participants and sharing in their excitement about their trip. I made many friends and hope to see them all again. I´m sure I will.

The Triple Crown has begun and both horsemen and fans are wrapped up in the possibility of a Triple Crown Winner. Baltimore´s Preakness Stakes will determine part two and if Barbaro wins, the Belmont Stakes in New York in three weeks time will again be excited in the possibility of Barbaro being the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, with a crowd in excess of 100,000 on hand at Belmont Park hoping to witness history. With four near-misses in the last five years, someone is due to finally hit and Barbaro is as good a horse as any to do so.

Enjoy the journey and make it to the races and stay just the way you are-we love you!

Thanks for being a fan :}

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All of these photos feature one or more jockeys who have either won or ridden in the Kentucky Derby taken at the Mint Jubilee held in Lousiville on Kentucky Derby eve. Can you figure out who they are?

Get the answers here!

End

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