Longo and go and go and go takes another W

50 year old Jeannie Longo of France, arch rival of Connie Carpenter in the 80's, took yet another big win today in France. Coming in 53 seconds ahead of second place, Longo scooped up her 5th Trophee des Grimpeurs (the Climber's Trophy). She is also expected to defend her French national time trial and road championships in late June. The legendary French rider who has made plenty of enemies in the peloton over 3 decades has more than 1,100 victories to her credit.

Local bits
Roaring Fork Valley has a group of talented racers competing in Silver City, NM at the Tour of the Gila this weekend. Max Taam sits in 9th overall in the Men's Cat 2 division, Jason Anderson is 22nd in the 3's, Amber Levy is 52nd in the women's Pro 1,2, Chip Chilson is 36th in the men's 40+ and Annie Gonzalez is 3rd in the women's 3/4 race.

Kentucky Derby
I know you won't read about horse racing here very often, but yesterday's Kentucky Derby was one of the most fun races I've been entertained by in awhile. Jockey Carl Borel, a semi-toothless Cajun with energy and spirit in excess, piloted Mine that Bird perfectly along the rail to win going away on a muddy track by over 6 lengths. The 50-1 long shot was pinched immediately at the start and Borel held back and dropped into last place. Asked later when he thought he had it won, he amazingly replied "by the 3/8's pole, if I could navigate through I knew we'd do it".

Borel, who guided Street Sense to the win two years ago in similar fashion, hugged the rail until the home stretch. He slid into the open to go around a slower horse and then back onto the rail and opened it up. Mine that Bird responded with full gas and sprayed the rest of the field with mud as he ripped to the line. Overhead camera shots showed the true speed difference, Mine that Bird made the rest of the horses look like they were in the wrong event, speeding by like the agro driver in the fast lane. And once the race was over the real fun started. I'm not sure I've ever seen a more happy victor than Carl Borel. I witnessed his win two years ago on Steet Sense also, and this jockey seems to have it dialed in. Perhaps any other jockey would have failed in taking a 50-1 from last place, guide him along the rail through traffic and finish off the deal. An amazing event for sure.