The Tar Heel Tavern - Derby Edition

Welcome to The Tar Heel Tavern, weekly blog carnival showcasing the best of North Carolina blogging.

This is the weekend of the Kentucky Derby, so, in that vein, let me introduce today's racing contestants.

In starting position #1 is Charlootting, trained by Andy Clarkson of The Charlotte Capitalist stables. In the pre-race interview, Andy said: "Complain all you want about the Charlotte tax increase. But in order to fight taxes, you need to cut spending. I have some ideas on where the priority cuts are. And they are big...". Is he really talking about cutting corners during the race? Sometimes the trainers' lingo is a little obscure....

Maximilian Longley trains Thoroughbreds at Words Fitly Spoken. This year, his Derby hopeful is appropiatelly named Fred Phelps. Max says: "Come on, Fred, make my day!"

Jon Lowder trains his own horses. He is hoping that So Long, Newspapers is the ticket this year.

Chris Weaver is well-known not just for his racehorses, but also for his photographs of them, as he is a TV photojournalist in his spare time. He has been grooming Fear Factor for this race. Apparently, the barn gossip about Hazzardous Materials, a horse withdrawn from the race at the last moment, testing positive on doping control turned out to be a false alarm.

Ron Hudson has two horses in this race: No Verbs Required and PCD Fallen Cake. Ron is hoping PCD does not humiliate him, while No Verbs makes you cry...

Nina keeps her horses at A Sort Of Notebook Farms in Waterfall, in the mountains. Will the years of training in the fresh mountain air help Voice Blogging win this time around? We'll wait and see. The stable-mate Web Blogging still looks stronger to me (and to Nina, or so I heard).

Phin has prepared his horse in secret, thus Scent is a complete mystery to the bookies and the audience alike. A surprise win can get you some nice money! Or does the name implies this horse stinks?

Ogre is trying to fool us into NOT betting on his horse, by naming the colt Lottery Losers. Don't be fooled! I've seen him at his last pre-dawn training and that horse is FAST!

George at Dirty Greek Farm (actually a spotlessly clean farm) is preparing to load Waynesville Cleansing into the starting stalls. What's up with all that cleanliness?

Pam also has two horses in the race. Waynesville Fiasco (half-brother of George's Waynesville Cleansing in the neighboring starting stall) is highly unlikely to be a fiasco by finishing last, while huge and gorgeous chestnut Our Bodies, Ourselves will make some in the audience feel nostalgic for the good old Big Red.

Stewart Pittman of Lenslinger Stables is saddling up Phantom Of The Midway. I heard this horse was stopped by cops for speeding during his morning runs!

Coturnix runs two stables and each has a horse in this race. Equestrian Past is a little winded and long in the pastern and Seasonality has not yet reached his peak this season. Underdogs, for sure, but at least they look pretty.

The above list contains horses signed-up (with enormous entry-fees) by their owners back when these horses were yearlings. However, in this race the Secretary?Handiccapper is allowed to add more horses according to their track-record and the Racing Form. So, here they are, the Secretary's List:

Melinama of Pratie Place brings well-known and expensive Wedding Greed.

AnonyMoses brings Proof. At the end of the race, the proof will be in the pudding (Yorkshire pudding?).

Jean of After Deadline is hoping that Runaway Story runs away with the field.

Arse poetica has a pretty chestnut Dingo in the race. If only looks could kill...

CathColl's entry is a huge black colt Market-Based Coffin.

Chewie is hoping that Trickle Up will trickle up to the finish-line and surprise everyone.

Sally of Green Space is in a good mood, as Good Cheer looks ready to go.

Jude of the Iddybud Racing Stables has high hopes for her Book Table.

Lalitree brought a real beauty: Flickr Reflection.

Littlebear is going to be a Pain In The Ass for all other horses.

Mike of Mungovitz End is a new-comer to this race, with Ugly Kids.

Patrick Eakes owns, trains and rides his own American Hero.

Pirate's Cove is grooming his Weekend Survey.

Walloper is a Pseudonymous UNC Student. Her entry: Virgin Mary .

Robust MacManly Pants is bringing an aptly-named soon-to-be-a-gelding Spokane Mayor.

Silflay Hraka has the only grey in the race: Iraqi Gecko.

Stinging Nettle mounted The Prince.

Satori in Stereo brought Levity.

Southernrants is Sue's Place. Her mount is Time Travel.

This year an underdog won the real Derby, and another two underdogs came in second and third. So, who do you think is going to win here? Who is our Giacomo?

And once the race is over and the dust settles, hang around a bit more. Circadiana may not be Churchill Downs, but there is some good wine and you may find something interesting anyway if you don't fall asleep. And don't forget to come back next week. The racing calendar continues at Pam's House Blend racetrack. See all y'all then and there! And dont' forget to bring your friends along.