Where were you during the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby? Hunkered down with the soaking masses in Autzen Stadium, watching the Oregon spring football game through one of the worst downpours ever to defy Don Essig? Sleeping off the hangover from the night before? Stopping that hangover with your third beer of the day?
The Derby was run, to our good fortune, at halftime of the Spring Game. The entire press box – Emerald staff, Oregonian staff, Register-Guard staff, athletic department staff and others – were glued to the television from “And they’re off!” to one of the most thrilling finishes in recent memory.
The track at Churchill Downs was an unpleasant, muddy morass, which likely helped contribute to the finish of the race. As the horses entered the final straightaway, several were jockeying for position outside of the rail in the top three places. Out of nowhere, the number-eight horse, positioned directly alongside the rail, made his move and burst into a commanding lead, stretching it out to the finish line. When all was said and done, Mine That Bird had won the Derby by 6