Well, as my friend who wrote about horse racing for the Arkansas Gazette used to say, there's no such thing as a sure thing.
Need further proof?
In spite of the talk of the number of horses in this year's Kentucky Derby who were getting odds of 20–1 or better, jockey Calvin Borel rode 50–1 shot Mine That Bird to a convincing win this afternoon.
The only reason the other horses weren't left in the "cloud of dust" I wrote about earlier is because the track was wet.
It's the second–biggest upset in the Derby's 135–year history. In fact, the only thing that might have been more dramatic than a 50–1 shot winning the race might have been if someone who has been out of work for several months and badly needed a break had put down about what remained of his/her life savings on win, place and show tickets on Mine That Bird. For $2 tickets, Mine That Bird paid $103.20, $54 and $25.80.
I doubt that Mine That Bird will be a 50–1 shot in the Preakness two weeks from today, but I have to wonder what affect the presence of I Want Revenge will have — assuming that I Want Revenge will be completely recovered from the condition that kept him from running in today's race.
On another note, the Louisville Courier–Journal posted a video clip of comedian Joe Piscopo, along with photos of Piscopo and other celebrities who were spotted at Churchill Downs today.
Piscopo is 57 years old. It's been 25 years since he left "Saturday Night Live." He hasn't had a particularly noteworthy career since leaving SNL, and I don't recall seeing him in anything, although I probably have and I just don't remember it. So what struck me was how ordinary he looks.
The actors and/or comedians who seem to be really famous, really legendary are the ones who look distinctive throughout their lives — and who are instantly recognizable, whether they are 25 or 55. It goes without saying, I guess, that they have talent. But people know who they are when they see them. Humphrey Bogart was like that. So was George Carlin. Ditto Johnny Carson.
But I could walk by Joe Piscopo on the street and not know who he is — unless he opened his mouth and started talking. He looks like a fairly typical, middle–aged businessman, and I would have to look at him for a minute or two before I realized who he was.
Does Piscopo look ordinary to you, too?
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