To the editor:

Saturday, May 4th, will be the 150th running of the fabled Kentucky Derby, an American horserace run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is run by three-year-old Thoroughbreds in a circular track, at a distance of one and a quarter miles. It is the first leg of “The Triple Crown” series of races. It is followed in subsequent weeks by The Preakness and The Belmont Stakes.

Thousands of people watch the race in-person. Ladies are decked-out in fine dresses and hats. Gentlemen in nice suits sip mint juleps. Sports betting now occurs both on-site and off-site.

When I was young, I remember the renowned horse “Seattle Slew” when it won all three races of The Triple Crown. I even named a cat of mine that my aunt gave me from Seattle, Wash. (“Seattle”) in honor of both the city and the horse.

Some of my “Williams” ancestors lived in Kentucky and raised race horses just prior to the inception of the Kentucky Derby. My interest just comes naturally.

I enjoy watching “the Derby” and may the best horse win !!

James A. Marples

Esbon