 |
Weekly Online LessonOnline Lesson ArchiveGrade Level: 8-12
|
Run for the Roses
At
the 127th Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2001, the premiere U.S. horse racing
event, Monarchos and Peruvian rider Jorge Chavez posted the second-fastest
winning time in Derby history, just two-fifth's of a second shy of the
great Secretariat's 1973 record. A repeat performance at Preakness and
Belmont will win Monarchos the coveted Triple Crown.
Monarchos was an underdog, dismissed at 10-to-1 odds of winning the 1 1/4 mile race. Invisible Ink and Congaree came in second and third, while the track favorite, Point Given, gave a disappointing fifth place performance.
Jockey
John Velazquez, riding Invisible Ink, claimed foul after the race, saying
Chavez and Monarchos cut in front of his horse, causing him to lose momentum.
After interviewing the riders and reviewing race footage, stewards rejected
the claim, ruling there was no contact.
In this week's lesson, you will learn about horse racing, Churchill Downs, and the great tradition of the Kentucky Derby.
Triple Crown 2001
In
case you missed all the excitement of the Derby, you can find great coverage
at ESPN's
Triple Crown site. Read the report by Bill Finley, and then try
out some of the Audio/Video links on the right. Hear the comments of Monarchos
owner John Oxley, jockey Jorge Chavez, and trainer John Ward Jr., as well
as the comments of Invisible Ink's jockey John Velazquez who filed the
protest against Monarchos.
Why is Monarchos' near-record time misleading? According to Finley, what may have been the biggest surprise in the race?
Churchill Downs
Churchill
Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, has been the home of the world's best known
horse race since 1875. Visit the web site of Churchill
Downs and skim over the home page. You'll find a lot here, especially
features about the Kentucky Derby 127.
Browse anything that interests you, and then click Kentucky Derby link at the top of the page. There are three main sections in this site: 2001 Coverage, History, and Experience. Start with History, and then click the Timeline link. For each of the time periods listed you will find a concise history of Kentucky horse racing and Churchill Downs. See if you can find the name of the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby in 1875. Why was the 71st Derby delayed one month in 1945? In 1984, who became the youngest president of Churchill Downs since the track was organized?
Return
to the History page and click African-Americans,
where you will learn how African-American horsemen played a vital role
in shaping American racing history. How many of the 15 riders in the first
Kentucky Derby were African-Americans? Who became the youngest jockey
to win the Derby?
Click Women in the Derby to learn how women have been a part of the Derby as well. Who was the first woman to ride in the Derby, and how old was she? How many women trainers have there been?
Having
reviewed the history of the race, click Experience
to find out what it's like to attend the Kentucky Derby. Start with Hat
Parade, and then click >>
next under each picture to scroll through the pages. What is Mint
Julep? What are silks? Who designed the trophy?
Don't leave the site without spending some time in the 2001 Photo Gallery, where you will find images of the event. Click the links at the top to choose a collection, and click the thumbnail images on the right to see photos in the collection.
International Museum of the Horse
To
learn more about Thoroughbreds and other horses, visit the International
Museum of the Horse and go to the Horse
Breeds of the World exhibit. Here you can select any breed from
any continent and learn more about its history, characteristics, and other
information. Click Thoroughbred
to learn more about this breed. What are the names of the three foundation
sires of this breed, and when were they brought to England? What are the
characteristics of this breed?
Return to the Horse Breeds of the World page and choose at least three other breeds to research.
© Copyright 2002
Learners Online, Inc.