A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...05-02,03,04-08....T.G.I.F. & A Day at the Races Again

May 2, 2008 | Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 200,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

Break out your seersucker suits and your biggest brimmed hats and get ready for the 131st Running for the Roses, coming up tomorrow at Churchill Downs - it's Kentucky Derby time, so get ready for DERBY DAZE! Here’s a snapshot of what spectators will indulge in to celebrate the "most exciting two minutes in sports:"

• 120,000 Mint Juleps
• 7,000 lbs of Kentucky premium beef - NY Strips and Ribeyes
• 3,000 lbs of Kenny’s Country Cheese
• 63,000 jumbo shrimp
• 25,000 Derby Pies

The Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs

America's longest-running
continually held sporting event.

On May 17, 1875, the horse, Aristides, and his rider, Oliver Lewis, crossed the finish line ahead of the rest of the field at the first ever Kentucky Derby. The horse's owner, H.P. McGrath, and an esimated crowd of 10,000 in the stands looked on. Aristides, a Thoroughbred named after an ancient Greek general, earned extra alfalfa that day in Louisville. What would you have seen in Louisville that first race day?

You might have seen well-groomed Thoroughbreds--a cross between Arabian stallions and European mares--along with 15 fine jockeys, 14 of whom, including Oliver Lewis, were African American. You also would have seen cheering crowds sitting anxiously in the bleachers around the track built in 1874 by Meriweather Lewis Clark.

The name "Churchill Downs" was first used in 1883 in a report on the 9th Derby by the Louisville Commerical newspaper.

May 5, 1973, Secretariat - winning by 2½ lengths - set a record time of 1:59.4, the first horse to run the derby under 2 minutes. His record still stands.

In 2001, Monarchos, came close at 1:59.97. For a complete list of winners from the beginning, go HERE.

Did You Know?

A racehorse loses an average of between 15 and 25 pounds during a race.

The fastest Derby was in 1973, by Secretariat. His record of 1:59.4 still hasn't been beat.

Roses became part of the Derby in 1904 when they were presented to ladies attending a fashionable Louiseville Derby party. They were such a hit that the president of Churchill Downs adopted the rose as the race's official flower.

The distance of the Kentucky Derby was 1 1/2 miles from 1875-1895. Ever since it has been 1 1/4 miles.

In order to fit on racing sheets, no racehorse's name may contain more than 18 letters, according to horse-racing regulations.

These are the names of some of this year's contenders (you pick 'em by their names, by their odds, or by their 'looks'?):

Pyro, Big Brown, Colonel John, Gayego,Court Vision, Monba, Eight Belles,Tale Of Ekati, Z Fortune, Adriano, Cool Coal Man, Visionaire, Denis of Cork, Smooth Air, Recapturetheglory.

Now the true Southern Belle knows that Derby Hats are very important, and the bigger, the better. One simply must not attend the Kentucky Derby in a Jackie O pillbox, and Heaven forbid if one should go bare-headed.....GASP!

I was so afraid all the good hats would already be gone since I didn't begin my search until day before yesterday. However, as luck would have it, I found *it*! I found the one. The winner - this will stand out for sure - I found *my* hat.

Now about those mint juleps.......



Links for the information and excerpts used in today's post:

~ www.americaslibrary.gov ~
~ http://www.derbypost.com ~
~ http://www.levyrestaurants.com ~
~ http://www.kentuckyderby.com ~

03-27-07 ~ Hall of Fame #19 ~ Final

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-28,29-08 ~ Military Tribute By Billie Presented by The Mayor 04-30-08 ~ Warm Fuzzy Wednesday By Billie 05-01-08 ~ Left-Brain/Wright-Brain By JohnHuang2 Presented by Billie

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[DollyCali]

Happy Weekend to the Finest!

rain here but will still do dog walk & maybe some weeding if it is just a light drizzle. The dogs dont care about weather EXCEPT the boom/booms.. a big “I dont like” it

following the Cav’s has been fun. We won round one & will take on the winner of the Atlanta/Boston contest.

I have really mixed feelings about the horse races.. I love the flair /fun but animal lover that I am,I worry about abuse of animals & then the injury aspect.

[MEG33]

Morning, Dolly..We are going to have a lovely day here..rain starts again next week.So far no bad storms in my area this year.

[MEG33]

It's DERBY DAY ...Happy Weekend To The Finest

[The Mayor]

May 3, 2008

China’s Billy Graham

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Philippians 3:1-11

What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. —Philippians 3:7

In 1927, John Sung boarded a ship from the US bound for Shanghai. He had been in the States for more than 7 years, earning three degrees in that time, including a Ph.D.

As the ship neared its destination, Sung threw all his diplomas, medals, and fraternity keys overboard, keeping only his doctorate diploma to show his father. He had received Jesus Christ and was determined that for the rest of his life he would live only for what counted for eternity.

Many older Christians still living in East and Southeast Asia came to know Christ through the ministry of John Sung, who has been called China’s Billy Graham for his evangelistic work. His actions demonstrate what Paul wrote in Philippians 3:7, “What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”

Not everyone can do what John Sung did. But, like Paul, we all should regard the things of this life “as rubbish” (v.8), and live our lives so that they will count for eternity.

There are people within your sphere of influence whose lives you can impact for God. He has placed them there for you to point them to Jesus.

Think of someone you can speak to about Jesus Christ and what He has done for you.

Let my hands perform His bidding,
Let my feet run in His ways,
Let my eyes see Jesus only,
Let my lips speak forth His praise. —James

Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.

Bible in One Year: Acts 7–11; Proverbs 12:1-14

[Kitty Mittens]

[xJones]

Hi, Billie. The Derby was a beautiful race until the end. As you probably know by now, Big Brown won, but the second place winner, the filly Eight Bells, broke both her forelegs immediately after crossing the finish line and had to be put down. I read a comment on a racing website that mirrors the comments made after Barbaro was injured in the Preakness a couple of years ago:

"There's a reason the Lippizan stallions that perform airs above ground and manuevers that would make most people pull a groin muscle are at their prime at 26. They're not introduced to a saddle until they're 3! The Derby field is loaded with three-year-olds. Such a shame. Such a waste."

Sorry for a downer post, but Eight Bells was such a beautiful horse.

[MEG33]

Made me sad, too.I enjoyed the race until I saw the horse down.

[The Mayor]

May 4, 2008

The Ascension

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Acts 1:1-11

I go to prepare a place for you. . . . I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. —John 14:2-3

The repeated appearances of Jesus after His death and resurrection brought His followers so much joy that they must have wanted the visits to continue indefinitely. But on the 40th day after His resurrection, having given His disciples final instructions, Jesus slowly ascended and a cloud hid Him from view.

Jesus could have vanished instantly, as He had done previously (Luke 24:31). But He chose to ascend visibly to impress on His followers that this was the end of His visits. His bodily presence would soon be replaced by “another Helper,” the Holy Spirit promised in John 14:16. Jesus’ ascension marked the dawn of a new era.

In His glorified human body, the Lord Jesus ascended, entered heaven, sat down at the right hand of God, sent the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18; Acts 2:33), and now intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). He permeates the whole universe with His spiritual presence and power (Col. 1:15-23; Eph. 4:10).

An ancient writing says that Jesus ascended bodily into heaven “our entrance to secure, and our abode to prepare.” That’s true. But it’s also true that as God, He is always spiritually present with us and will be “to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). What a wonderful Savior we have!

The Lord ascended bodily
From earth to heaven’s throne;
Now He is there to intercede
For those who are His own. —Sper

Jesus went away so the Holy Spirit could come to stay.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 51–53

[Kitty Mittens]

Sending Wishes for a Blessed Lord's Day to All my Brothers and Sisters in the Lord.

Here with me

~Butterfly on my Shepherd-King's Ranch~
The Lord is King Forever and Ever!
(Ps.10:16)

[wizr]

AMEN!

I blew $20 at the races, two bucks a shot, many years ago. Haven’t been back since.

[Irish Rose]

I thank you for your good wishes and return them!

[Lady Jag]

Happy weekend!

May

May's exquisite fragrance of lilacs in my room; Has brought me joy and pleasure and kept my heart in tune. The lilies-of-the-valley strike up their notes of cheer. For Mother's Day and May Day are at this time of year. Florence Weaver

[NicknamedBob]

Children Are Flowers

Children are flowers.
That you didn’t know?
Why else would the dirt be,
A place that they grow?

They glory in showers,
Of rain that may fall,
And wave in the breezes,
That Spring brings to call.

Their laughter and smiling,
Are perfumes of mind.
Yes, children are flowers,
My favorite kind.

NicknamedBob . . . . . May 4, 2008

[bperiwinkle7]

What a beautiful photo, Kitty.

I hope you have a Blessed Lord’s day.
bp7

[MEG33]

English Bluebells

His Love is Eternal

John 14:1-3
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive
you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

*Wishing The Finest A Blessed Lord's Day*

[MEG33]

English Bluebells

His Love is Eternal

John 14:1-3
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive
you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

*Wishing The Finest A Blessed Lord's Day*

[MEG33]

Lovely poem, Bob. Thank you!

[MEG33]

Amen..Glorious green!

[MEG33]

Refreshing 20 times to get comments or threads! FR Gone Haywire

[MEG33]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2011165/posts

Free Republic Database Hiccup