Unfortunately, I’m not a big enough horse racing nerd to know if winning a “a highly competitive second-level allowance race for 3-year-olds” two months before the Kentucky Derby is indicative of possible Derby performance (The skilled handicappers RollingStone.com seems to think so). However, I am a big enough nerd, in general, to link to a story about a horse race – second-level allowance or otherwise – strictly because the horse that won is named Radiohead.

From ESPN.com:

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — What figured to be a highly competitive second-level allowance race for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park turned into a showcase for the English-bred Radiohead, who cruised to an easy victory over stablemate Homeboykris in Saturday’s third event. Radiohead was making his first start on dirt and first since being switched to trainer Rick Dutrow’s barn following his seventh-place finish in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He stalked the pace of the previously undefeated New York-bred General Maximus under confident handling from jockey Edgar Prado in the one-mile race, readily gained command when roused nearing the eighth pole, and was never seriously threatened thereafter, winning by 3 1/4 lengths. He was timed in 1:35.90. “It was a good day for us,” said Dutrow referring to his one-two finish in the race. “This is what I wanted to see from Radiohead. He could have gone to the lead, but I told Edgar to let the other horse go and be a measuring stick. It certainly showed he likes the dirt.”

After I invested too much time, energy and coin in attending all three events of the 2008 Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in hope of seeing Rick Dutrow and Big Brown win the whole enchilada, I vowed to never get behind another Dutrow horse.

Still, I love Rock n’ Roll more than I hate my past disappointments and misfortune, so this could change that.

Photo via The Telegraph