Watching the Preakness Stakes in the Company of Cats

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| Print | By Jo Singer | May 18, 2009 3:08 PM

I must preface today's rather unusual blog item with a few introductory remarks. By now it is more than likely apparent to our readers that I am an avid animal lover. All felines have captured my heart, and while my experience with canines is less extensive, I am very fond of them and eager to learn more about this amazing species. It is also no secret to anyone, that I am passionate about horses, and actively involved in supporting legislations designed to protect our beloved equines from cruelty, neglect and slaughter.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Garry Jones
18-Rachel Alexandra and Calvin Borel.jpg This being said, on Saturday, May 16 at approximately 6:00 PM, my husband and I, along with our two cats, Hubble and Hush Puppy, made ourselves comfortable in front of our wide screen TV. Two weeks ago, we all watched the Kentucky Derby together and were blown away by Mine That Bird's phenomenal win, so we were all eagerly awaiting the running of the Preakness Stakes. Now you may think I am fabricating a tale here but believe it or not, our cats must have intuitively "picked up" our enthusiasm and anticipation. They usually just flop on my hip and catch their "zzzzzzzs" but they were wide awake and watching, just as they did for the 135th running of the most exciting two minutes in horse racing; The Kentucky Derby.

Of course this past Saturday's Preakness Stakes was a record-setting day in horse racing. For the first time since 1924, during Calvin Coolidge's Presidency, has a filly won the Preakness Stakes; the second leg of the Triple Crown. This is one of the most prestigious races in the Sport of Kings. I was immediately struck by the interesting coincidence that the filly named Rachel Alexandra's talented jockey shared the same first name as the former president. "This has to be a good omen", I thought. And I beamed when Calvin Borel rode the filly to victory. The crowd went wild! With Mine-That-Bird, the 50 to 1 long shot Kentucky Derby winner right behind her, that fabulously athletic filly, Rachel Alexandra captured the Black- Eyed- Susans, by one length.

However, once the race was over, and all the hoopla was done for the day, our two cats assumed their usual position . . . glued to my hip . . . and back into dreamland. I do imagine however, that I caught one of them, as he drifted off for his nap, wishing it was possible for him to become a feline companion to such a gorgeous filly. After all, he is aware that most horses enjoy an intelligent and affectionate feline to keep them company.

Experience the excitement by watching the re-run of the race by visiting:
http://jtwoo.blogspot.com/2009/05/whoa-nellie-rachel-alexandra-first.html
I personally am thrilled that this filly finally ended the drought of a distaff win.

If you watched the Preakness Stakes, were you surprised at the end? Share your experience and leave a comment.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (262) , Cats (116)

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Vicki May 18, 2009 4:51 PM

I watch a lot of horse racing, and attend in person when I can. Rachel's performance in the Preakness was not surprising to me at all. I discovered her around the first of the year and have followed her racing career ever since. Every once in a while, I do spot a promising two-year-old, and keep close tabs on them. Such was the case for Barbaro and Big Brown. I knew Rachel was special, and she sure whooped the boys in a heart pounding race. Go Rachel!

Bonny May 18, 2009 6:04 PM

There's a big win for the girls! Go Rachel!

Amy May 19, 2009 6:14 AM

I too watched the race and was really impressed by this filly. I was even more impressed by her jockey and his choice to ride her. Yes he had won the derby two weeks before and I think just about everyone thought he would ride the same horse. I think it would have been the natural thing to do, instead he went with a horse he had rode to victory in another race. He stated this filly was the greatest horse he has seen and he liked her odds of wining against the "boys".
My cats also like to watch the TV screen and I have to laugh at what catches their attention. It is the smallest little thing and they remain glued to the until it it gone.

Jessy May 23, 2009 11:20 AM

I watched the race and was in tears as it took me back to a time in my life,1 that was filled with only the love of my pony...
I remember a filly called " Ruffin" she just had something about her in the earily 70's.
1 of my dogs sat next to me as the seen played out.. when the race was over he just layed down and over as to say," that took alot of work to watch and will someone home safely"

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