Harry’s Off to the Races

Okay, so I didn’t really get to go to the Kentucky Derby this year. But I sure had fun watching it from here at the Insectarium.

Speedy the millipede and Paw Paw the hissing cockroach joined me on the couch to watch the race. Each of us chose a different horse we picked to win. I thought my insect friends had wacky names—they aren’t nearly as crazy as racehorse names. Who calls themselves "Advice?" Or "I Want Revenge?"

Speedy picked "Regal Ransom", because "that just sounds like a winner." At the beginning of the race, I thought Speedy might just be right.

Paw Paw reads all the race predictions. He says that’s why he picked "Papa Clem" to take the crown. Personally, I think Paw Paw picked Papa Clem because it’s similar to his own name.

I was torn over who to pick. At first I wanted to pick "Atomic Power", because that sounds so cool and fast. But then my stomach grumbled and I ended up picking "Chocolate Candy." Come to think of it, maybe I just wanted to eat some chocolate candy.

Even though none of us picked "Mine That Bird", we all went crazy when he came up out of nowhere and won the race by a mile. That horse can really run! I’d love to go to the Kentucky Derby one year, but it’s strange to me. Why is there hours and hours of talking, then the race is over in less than two minutes?

I guess that’s what makes it so exciting.