Today’s award-winner covers a lot of different topics of varying degrees of interest so hang in there if you begin to lose focus, there’s bound to be something to catch your eye and arouse your curiosity!
How about the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby Saturday? On a beautiful day for racing on a fast Churchill Downs track, 24-1 entry Golden Tempo came storming back from last place, overtaking the other seventeen horses in the field down the homestretch in claiming the “Run for the Roses” and the $3.1 million first prize. It was truly a memorable Derby not only for the thrilling ride by Golden Tempo but also because Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the first stage of racing’s Triple Crown. In addition, jockey Jose Ortiz won his first Triple Crown title, edging out his brother Irad Ortiz on second-place finisher Renegade.
I don’t know about you, but I really don’t pay much attention to thoroughbred racing until the first Saturday of each May, and then I become a fan of the “most exciting two minutes in sports”! What a great ride the last furlong of the 1 1/4 mile race, a comeback for the ages! Here’s today’s trivia question—everyone knows that the incomparable Secretariat holds the Derby record with a winning time of 1:59.4 set in 1973. Only one other winner has broken the 2:00.0 mark. You are a true horse racing fan if you can name that three-year-old without doing some research!
It’s hard to believe, but OHSAA tournament draws were held Sunday for high school softball teams in D-III through D-VII, while next Sunday will see the larger schools in D-I and D-II being bracketed with play at all levels to begin May 11th. Meanwhile baseball squads in all seven divisions will be seeded May 10th with action to start on the 18th. For all tournament brackets and other information, check out the OHSAA website and follow all area teams here at MyCountyLink.
Speaking of softball the first of two huge Miami Valley League games took place Friday at Lady Wave Stadium as Greenville handed previously undefeated Troy its first loss of the season as ace sophomore pitcher Ella Oswalt fanned sixteen Lady Trojans en route to a no-hit gem. Jerrod Newland’s squad won their 21st consecutive game, improving to 15-0 in league action (21-1 overall), while Troy fell to 14-1 in the MVL (21-1). The Lady Wave, second ranked in state D-III polls, now travel to Miami County Monday for a second game with a Lady Trojan squad which will be determined to turn the tables on their home field.
The first OHSAA-sanctioned girls flag football tournament begins Monday with play in Cleveland and Cincinnati. There are 162 high schools represented this spring, 41 of which are located in Southwest Ohio with all six Dayton Public high schools participating. There will be eight teams advancing to the Finals, which will be held Saturday, May 16th, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
One of the fastest growing high school sports in the country, the championship will be determined all in one day, with four fields of 25 x 70 yards marked off. Winners move on to the semifinals later in the day, with the title contest held that evening. Will be truly interesting to see the public’s response to the inaugural playoffs!!
In 2001, Monarchos under the ride of jockey Jorge Chavez became the only other horse to break the 2-minute mark at the Derby, posting a time of 1:59.97. Secretariat’s record has stood the test of time for 53 years!
I forgot that the wild turkey spring hunting season began April 25th in the south zone of Ohio, composed of 83 counties. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources the first weekend take of 4,646 birds saw 44 bagged in Preble County, 20 tagged in Darke, and 16 claimed in Miami. The number one county in the south zone was Tuscarawas County which had 144 of the fowl reported.
Finally, Kathy and I drove to St. Louis this weekend for my 40-year class reunion from Logan University, where I had obtained my Doctor of Chiropractic degree. It’s always interesting to renew acquaintances with people with whom you spent over three and a half years on a daily basis and a blessing to hear of their successes. Even though I hadn’t seen some since graduation, it was easy to socialize again as we all had a common experience from which to draw. Just a great gathering!!
One thing that wasn’t so great was the drive across Indiana on I-70, particularly from the Ohio line to just outside of Indianapolis. I don’t know if you’ve been on that stretch of freeway lately but it’s not to be driven by the faint of heart, people with loose fillings, or those afflicted by weak bladders! Evidently, there is a $6.5 BILLION project underway to expand the route to six lanes with an anticipated completion date of 2029. There is even talk of making I-70 a toll road, similar to the Ohio Turnpike. I understand that it is a heavily traveled highway that takes a pounding from traffic, but brother, is it a rough go presently! We could hardly wait to cross into Illinois on the way out and Ohio on the way back!!
Have a great week and take either US 36 or US 40 if heading west!!
