The Kentucky Derby is always the first Saturday of May. I know it is a horse race, but today I was only interested in the filly from New Jersey named Rosie. That would be Rosie Napravnik, the only female jockey in today’s race.
In the face of what is wrong with thoroughbred racing, the sight of a long shot-- ridden by a rookie, named for a ritual between husband and wife-- closing in on and beating a hands-down favorite was a beautiful thing to see.
A farm equipment company spotlighting women? Now that’s a horse of a different color.
I will be in Kentucky this weekend not for the big Derby, but for the Miss Edna Trifecta — in honor of my mother, Edna Arnold Yarberry.
by Patricia Yarberry Allen, M.D.
WVFC's publisher, a Kentucky native, remembers Derbys past and explains why the first day in May is for her home state.