For Whom the Belles Toll...

The bells toll for thee, sweet filly, the bells toll for thee.

Guts, glory and then...gone. All in a span of just minutes. You showed guts just getting into the Kentucky Derby...the only filly in a field of twenty. Then the glory. Somehow, you know, you brought womankind together for those two minutes on the track...and, wow, did you make us proud! You ran with speed and grace - just behind the powerhouse known as Big Brown and a good bit ahead of the rest of the pack. You flew over the finish line to take an impressive 2nd place! Little did you, or we, know that in minutes you would be gone...that this run for the roses would cause you to cross the ultimate finish line.

My heart broke into a million pieces seeing you down...knowing all too well what that meant...memories of Barbaro still fresh in my mind. My heart aches for your trainer, your jockey, your owner and all of the others you undoubtedly touched during your three years on this earth. You were born to run and died doing it...simple yet so tragic.

When I awoke this morning it was with a certain sadness that the lyrics of Dan Fogelberg's song "Run For the Roses" came to mind. In hindsight the words seem eerily prophetic for you, Eight Belles...

"All the long, lazy mornings in pastures of green - the sun on your withers, the wind in your mane - could never prepare you for what lies ahead...the run for the roses so red. And it's run for the roses as fast as you can. Your fate is delivered, your moment's at hand. It's the chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of chance and it's high time you joined in the dance."

Now, I'd like to imagine you majestically running in heavenly fields of green...perhaps you are even being serenaded by Dan Fogelberg himself because, you know, he crossed over to eternity not too long before you. These things are a mystery as long as we remain on this side...with our blinders on. I do know that I will never forget you....that this Derby will be remembered more for the horse that won our hearts than for the horse that won the roses. You ran an amazing race...and, now, I pray you are in the midst of His amazing grace. Rest in peace Eight Belles.

Dark Horse to Debate

Those who know me well know I love a good horse race - especially at Kentucky Derby time when I throw a mean party! As of late, I've been keeping my eyes and ears on a horse of a different color - a DARK HORSE - and I am hoping he will be winning the most important race left in this decade.

Shall I go ahead and divulge the winner of my perfect perfecta? He is none other than Mike Huckabee - former Arkansas Governor - and 2008 Presidential hopeful. Huckabee is proving himself to be a worthy contender. From what I've seen, he is a man of integrity and humility, a deft communicator, and is passionate about critical issues our country faces. My beliefs may not line up 100% with his (they don't with ANY of the candidates) so I have to rely, also, on my gut instinct when choosing which "horse" to get behind.

Speaking of horses - I've picked a few winners of the Kentucky Derby over the years, starting with Sunday Silence back in 1989. Perhaps my all-time favorite pick was Funny Cide in 2003. Surely you remember the story of a bunch of high school friends who got together and purchased the gelding for a mere $75,000 and then "took on the Sheiks and Bluebloods" to win the Kentucky Derby! Which reminds me of another point I'd like to make - a lot of attention has been paid to how much money different candidates have been raising (and spending) in recent months. (By the way, campaign fundraising information can be checked out on the website opensecrets.org) Mitt Romney even offered Huckabee some "friendly advice" in this area - telling Mike that he, too, could be a front-tier candidate if he could come up with $20 million dollars in a few months' time - advice, by the way, that was respectfully rejected when my dark horse explained there really was no need to be spending money in such a fashion - that his own frugal ways were indicative of how he would handle the Federal Treasury! You go, Mike! I like a man who spends wisely.

Later today my dark horse will debate. CNBC will broadcast live from 4-6 pm Eastern. For those of us who are either stuck in offices or carpooling kids at that time, MSNBC will rebroadcast the debate at 9 pm. I can hardly wait...because when Mike is at "the mike" he outshines them all!

(check out mikehuckabee.com for more info about a man WORTHY of being our next President)