>I miss the Wood Man.

You and me both. If there was ever a guy who could talk the talk, it was Woody.

"If I aint thinkin of a Derby horse I aint thinkin of nothin."

"The buildings get a lot taller on this side of the Hudson."

"Lukas will never beat my five straight Belmonts."

The image of Woody, when the TV camera flashed on to him after the last of his five straight Belmonts, a 145 pound soaking wet noodle, giving the Michael Jordan style clinched fist thru gritted teeth, will last with me until I go to my grave.

He and Lukas had some kind of competitive rivalry, but thats the way it is at the top. There is usually only room for one.

Back to the anecdotal about Waynes comment to the Outrider as he filled in behind the last horse exiting the paddock to Go-To-The-Post for the Ky Derby. You could almost sense the kind of eagerness, excitement, and hopefullness in his voice as you would from anyone who was watching or attending. Regardless of how many times you have been there before or won the damn thing, it is still the most Exciting Two Minutes in Sport. And the blood starts pumping no matter who you are.