JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC

It’s Derby Day, and even though I’m 500 miles away, I’m a bundle of pent-up energy…as usual.

For decades, I’ve awakened on Derby Day with eyes wide open and blood running a little faster.

Despite all the problems horse racing has had — sickening, terminal injuries and cheating trainers — and despite my beefing about how Churchill Downs has ruined the event for average people by raising prices to stratospheric levels, it’s still an amazing event.

As Kentucky-born writer Irvin S. Cobb (1876 – 1944) wrote many years ago, “Until you go to Kentucky and with your own eyes behold the Derby, you ain’t never been nowhere and you ain’t seen nothin’!”

Mainly because of the prohibitive prices of Derby lodging and tickets, Patty and I didn’t go to Louisville for Derby Week. Instead, we’re going to a Derby party in the Crossroads District — a party that’s a benefit for the Kansas City Museum. (I intend to post some photos later.)

I’m glad we’re here, too. While it’s picture-perfect, Derby weather in Kansas City, in Louisville it’s 60 degrees and cloudy. I’ve been to Derbies in rain, snow and sun, and, needless to say, it’s much more fun on a perfect spring day.

We got our bets down through Louisville friends, who have the online-betting app. Missouri, as most of you know, does not have legalized sports betting, and its residents cannot sign up for any of the betting apps.

I’m betting $100 to win on Zandon, who is coming from the No. 10 post position, right in the middle of the 20-horse field. (I also placed a $20-to-win bet on Zandon for my longtime barber and good friend, Cecil.)

Patty bet $10 to win on Smile Happy, No. 5.

I expect Zandon to be either the favorite or the second favorite, along with Epicenter, who will be coming “out of the 3 hole,” as they say in racing.

(If you’re wondering where the name Zandon came from, his owner, Jeff Drown, named him after a hunting guide in Colorado.

Interestingly, the trainers of both Zandon (Chad Brown) and Epicenter (Steve Asmussen) have never won a Derby, even though they are two of the top trainers in the country. Asmussen has had 13 starters in the Derby and Brown six.

Indicative, in part, of why horse racing has fallen out of favor is the fact that both trainers have had their problems with allegations of dishonesty or unfairness.

In 2014, state and federal regulators investigated Asmussen over accusations by the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that some of his horses were subjected to various forms of cruelty, including having been administered drugs for non-therapeutic purposes and having a jockey use an electrical device to shock horses into running faster.

No charges came from the investigation.

Brown, back in 2019, was ordered to pay $1.62 million in back wages, civil penalties and damages for underpaying 150 employees. Brown and his racing company admitted in federal court to violating federal labor and immigration laws by failing to pay required hourly and overtime pay to horse groomers and stable hands working at the Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park in New York State.

Brown also has at least one violation of improper medication on his record.

Still, Brown seems to me to be more above board than Asmussen, and I think he’s got a great chance to get his first Derby victory today.

Four weeks ago, Zandon won a Derby prep race, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in Lexington, KY, after coming from last place.

With the customary 20 horses in the Derby field, it’s difficult for “closers” to get around or through the pack to get to the wire first. In early races at Churchill Downs today, however, at least two winners have come from well off the pace, which seems to bode well for Zandon.

About 6 p.m. today, Kansas City time, I’m looking for Zandon to be charging down the lane.

Whoo-hoo! It’s Derby Day.