"I'll HAVE ANOTHER" WINS 138TH KENTUCKY DERBY: COLT SPORTS CANADIAN CONNECTIONS

I'll Have Another wins 138th Kentucky Derby

Purchased for just $11k originally, I'll Have Another made his Canadian Connections proud today at Churchill Downs, winning the 138th Edition of the historic Kentucky Derby. The three-year-old Colt is owned by Windsor, Ontario's Paul Reddam and was ridden by former-Vancouver Jockey, Mario Gutierrez.  Coincidentally, Gutierrez is of Mexican descent, celebrating Cinco de Mayo today with a Victory in the Race, which traditionally is run on the first Saturday of May.  Prior to winning today's Race, I'll Have Another came off another winning race in important Prep, the Santa Anita Derby in April.  Today's Payday was worth $1.45 million for Reddam and the Colt had a few Celebrities supporting him including Smash's Meg Hilty and Actor/Singer Jack Black.

Trained by Doug O'Neill, I'll Have Another was overlooked in the betting being sent-off at 15-1 Odds, paying a generous $32.60 on a $2.00 bet.  Placing second was Pacesetter Bodemeister, trained by Bob Baffert who just two months ago had suffered a Heart Attack in Dubai.  After leading for most of the Race, that Colt who is named after Baffert's seven-year-old Son Bodie, was caught only late, losing by one-and-a-half-lengths as the Race Favourite at 4-1 Odds.  Finishing third was Dullahan in a late surge. 

Highly-regarded Union Rags had a troubled trip, managing to finish only seventh, while last year's two-year-old Champion Colt Hansen finished ninth after sweating profusely pre-race, looking visibly uncomfortable.  Prospective who began his Career in Toronto at Woodbine Racetrack was a well-beaten 18th.

Watch the 138th Edition of The Kentucky Derby below:

PILOT EPISODE A "SMASH"!

Still from Smash

Yes! I've finally seen that Pilot of NBC's Smash and can I express how pleased I am with it? It's actually more Fame than its lacking 2009 Remake! Here we see Julia (Debra Messing), the Co-Writer of this forthcoming Marilyn Monroe Musical and the tensions she is having at home with her Husband who disapproves of her branching into the venture. We also see Karen (Katharine McPhee) introduced as a green and struggling Actress on the verge of a big break after some unsuccessful auditions and her closest competition ultimately for the role of Marilyn Monroe, Ivy (Meg Hilty). Ivy appears to be struggling with some personal demons of her own and some insecurities after failing to get her big break despite having been schooled and having much experience in minor roles on Broadway. We also meet another of the main characters Derek (Jack Davenport), an arrogant and womanizing Choreographer who just almost pushes the boundaries too far with Karen.

We really feel Messing's excitement about what's to come, while McPhee is perfect in her vulnerability and eagerness.  Anjelica Huston is seen little but is commanding every moment she's on. Hilty wows us right off the bat as Monroe in a Baseball-themed number complete with thrusting, flung about from dancer to dancer like a sulty rag doll.  The Episode ends with the number Let Me Be Your Star, performed by Hilty and McPhee (which quickly has disappeared from YouTube) and quite honestly, I can't get it out of my head.

Smash premieres February 6, 2012 at 10:00 PM.  CTV airs in Canada.  I'm hooked.

(Photo credit: NBC)