Substitute for a winner

So there will be no Triple Crown this year.  Neither disqualified winner Maximum Security nor the “real” winner, Country House, will participate in the Preakness on Saturday.

The innovation of replay reviews has lost its appeal.  The ultimate replay is the photo finish, and that’s been around horse racing for decades, as have racing stewards who watch and review races and address objections.  But when they deliberated for 20 minutes to decide Maximum Security had committed a foul I became anti-replay review.

I can’t say I was always against replay reviews because replay has been around so long now that I don’t remember having a strong opinion either way when it started.  I do know that I have never liked the idea of replay review for baseball.  I suppose that’s because Major League Baseball was the last to embrace it, and by that time I was against it.  But it has gotten out of hand for all sports.

I’m old enough to remember Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates being robbed, maybe, of a home run in Game 4 of the 1971 World Series.  And I remember when Houston Oiler Mike Renfro made a touchdown catch that was ruled incomplete in the 1979 AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Both plays were pre-review.

The Pirates won Game 4 and that World Series.  The Steelers won the championship game then Super Bowl XIV.  The non-catch still lives in Oilers lore.  But I’d wager no one, outside of Pittsburgh or Houston sports fans, recalls either play.

That’s why using slow-motion replay stinks.  A friend of mine made a good suggestion.  All replays should be shown in real time, not slow motion.  Officials can look at all the different angles, but if they can’t make a quick decision after reviewing all the angles in real time the play stands.

Unfortunately we’ll have to see those Derby replays again and again on race day leading up to the Preakness.  I think the stewards at Churchill Downs caved to the pressure.  After 145 years, instead of earning a Derby win, it was a gift.

Which brings me to my tortured transition.  It’s nice getting gifts (especially if you’ve bet on a 65-1 long shot!).  I received a bottle of Knockboy poteen from a friend.  Never heard of it.

Poteen, Poitin or Potcheen: Any way, try it

I’ve heard of poteen, and in fact have had some called Bunratty, though they spell it “potcheen.”  Their label claimed it was an illegal substance in Ireland.  And Shane MacGowan sings about “poitin.”  Even if it is illegal in Ireland I’m pretty sure MacGowan has had his share.

Poteen is different, interesting, with a vanilla flavor, and is somewhat sweet.  The Knockboy my friend gave me was different than Bunratty.  Knockboy, while sweet, has more of a bite to it and not quite as vanilla-y.  Plus it has a wax seal that requires diligence to penetrate.  Worth it, though!

I’ve only had poteen on the rocks.  Many of the online cocktail recipes that contain potcheen are complex, with other ingredients that could put a dent in your home-bar budget.  I’m going to experiment replacing other clear spirits (vodka, gin, tequila blanco) with poitin.  This may require serious research.  I’ll check back when my results are complete.

Even though my heart’s not really in it after the May 4th debacle, let’s bet:

Across the board:  11 Laughing Fox

Trifecta box:  2 Bourbon War  3 Warrior’s Charge,  4 Improbable

Exacta:  12 Anothertwistafate, 6 Market King

Win:  7  Alwaysmining

No rain, no reviews!  Good luck!

See you next time.

May the Kentucky Derby Be With You

Kentucky Derby time!  First Saturday in May!  This year it’s May 4, so we know what that means: May the 4th be with you!

Aren’t you all excited to see some patrons prowling Churchill Downs in their “Star Wars” costumes?  Me neither.  I hope they have fun, though.  Watching a mint julep-ed C-3PO stumble around could be entertaining.  Chewbacca in a seersucker suit?  Come on!

Mint juleps are, of course, the Derby’s staple drink.  They’re great.  Refreshing, minty and relatively easy to make.  Especially if you use the pre-made mix from Maker’s Mark or Old Forester.

Anyway, I’ll take Manhattans.  They are probably my favorite cocktail.  The basic recipe is:

INGREDIENTS

2 oz. Bourbon
3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth
3 Dashes Angostura Bitters

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill mixing glass with ingredients, add ice, and stir gently for 10-15 secs. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Someone told me Frank Sinatra had a special Manhattan recipe that included using equal parts of both sweet and dry vermouth, but that would mean dividing 3/4 by two, and I haven’t had to do that since eighth grade.  And unless you’re having a Rat Pack-themed Derby party why complicate things?

For example, my cool girlfriend once gave me a bottle of pre-made Manhattans from High West Distillery, which, incredibly, still has a bit left in the bottle.  It’s a simple and delicious way to enjoy a quick cocktail — sometimes large, sometimes short — after work.  (Now that I’m thinking of it, I may drain that bottle tonight.)

She recently provided a themed gift — Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey, Woodford Bitters, and cherries soaked in Woodford.  I know, right?!  I guess technically it’s not a Manhattan since the key ingredient is malt whiskey, but I’m no expert.  I just drink the stuff.

Sweet vermouth, Woodford, bitters and soaked cherries equals delicious

For purposes of our discussion, let’s call it a Rob Roy, my second favorite cocktail.  In the simplest terms, a Rob Roy is a Manhattan with scotch instead of Bourbon or rye.  Either way, it tastes great, even served in my The Riddler glass from McDonald’s, a “Batman Forever” perk.

My other glasses were in the dishwasher

Let’s bet!  I haven’t been following the Derby prep races so I’m going on “feel” this year.  I’ll bet on whichever horse I feel like.  Unlike the aforementioned pre-made mint julep and Manhattan mixes, these picks were lovingly made from scratch.  Here goes:

Exacta Box: 13 Code Of Honor, 17 Roadster

Trifecta straight: 5 Improbable, 10 Cutting Humor, 16 Game Winner

Across the board: 18 Long Range Toddy (had to do it!)

Win: 8 Tacitus

Good luck and I’ll meet you at the payment window!

See you next time.