It's Kentucky Derby Day

Yes, the 133rd year of race of kings will be run today. It's any body's guess as to who will be the winner, but, of course that's not the point any more. The real prizes are the pre-race goings on -- the parties, the gossip, the ambiance. Amidst all these, the race can be anti-climatic.

However, when there is a wide open field, and at least to us, no clear announced favorite you can take to the bank, like there is today, the first Saturday in May can be full of surprises.

So how do you choose your favorite? Just like Mom did for years -- by the one that knows, the jockey, of course. When I was a kid and Mom would take us to the races, we'd pick winners by the jockey. Turns out that's as good a way as any to choose. And logical too. Who, aside from the trainer, is likely to know the best horses to ride? So, if you find a winning jockey, odds are he'll be in the money, even if he can't pull off first. Our problem as kids was that we didn't know any of that. We picked by the jockey, sure enough, but it was not by the jockey's name. It was by the color of his silks.