The Life

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Photo by America's Best Racing/Penelope P. Miller

Art Sherman was 18 years old when he accompanied Swaps in a boxcar from California to Louisville to win the 1955 Kentucky Derby. He returned to Churchill Downs at age 77 and became the oldest trainer to smell the roses when California Chrome prevailed by 1 ¾ lengths on May 3.

Get the Inside Scoop with Monmouth Handicapper Thomas

Being a public handicapper, especially one who is on TV, requires thick skin.

Think about it: when the analysts predicting races on TV are right, most people think, “that’s what they’re paid to do, get it right!” And when they’re wrong? Oh, you can only imagine the kind of emails, Tweets and other messages some handicappers have to deal with from unhappy bettors.

Somehow, in 35 years as a TV analyst and handicapper, mostly at Monmouth Park, Brad Thomas has managed to stay above the fray.

Derby Proves Racing Still Alive and Well

Photos by Eclipse Sportswire.

It has often been said in all-knowing tone by some experts that horse racing is a dying sport. Its fan base, they claim, mirrors AARP and its primary sponsors should be funeral homes.

Really?

Try telling the 164,906 fans who turned out at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday that they spent the day at a burial.

And while you’re at, let the 113,071 who attended the Kentucky Oaks on a Friday afternoon know that Halloween is in October and shame on them for masquerading as so many young, vibrant people.

Final Contender Preparations Continue at Churchill

Photos by Eclipse Sportswire

Monday morning brought lots of rain to Churchill Downs as the Kentucky Derby field entered their final five days of preparations before running for the roses. Only two contenders breezed today with Tapiture hitting the track at 6:15 a.m. right before a rainstorm hit. As the colt started his work, a crack of lightning was heard but he seemed unfazed with the weather, going four furlongs in 50 seconds flat.

Ten Bourbons You Need to Try Before the Triple Crown

Bourbon is the key ingredient in the mint julep (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)

The first jewel of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, features bourbon as the key ingredient in its famed mint julep. In fact, bourbon is one of Kentucky’s signature industries, right up there with horse racing. Here are 10 bourbons to try before the Triple Crown—so you know which you prefer in your mint julep, of course.

all in The Life

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