Even When the Race Looks Grim, One Horse Reminded Us to Keep Going

Hi. Welcome to Bloom Anywhere. I'm Gwen Moran, a writer, editor, author, and problem-solver. My goal is to share information, ideas, and resources to help you overcome obstacles, reach your goals, and find more joy in life, even when things are messy. Thanks for joining me. (If you got this from a friend, subscribe here: Bloom Anywhere.) I'd love your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Please send me an email: connect@bloomanywhere.com.

Golden Tempo was bringing up the back of the pack, behind 18 galloping horses. Dead last. 23-1 odds of winning.

To anyone watching the 152^nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, the bay colt wasn’t an obvious favorite either before the race or well into it. The horse was still 13^th when he entered the final straightaway.

Then, something remarkable happened. Jockey Jose Ortiz guided Golden Tempo outside the pack. Then, he let the horse run.
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And run he did. One by one, Golden Tempo overtook his rivals, finishing the race in first place by a neck. His victory also made Cherie DeVaux the first woman trainer of a Derby champion.

Beating the Odds

However you feel about horse racing (and, as a former extremely amateur but devoted equestrian, I have feelings about horse racing), it was a stunning feat. The last-to-first run made for one of the most exciting races in recent memory.

The victory has been making me think of all the times that things may look dim from the outside—those times when we feel at the back of the pack, and the odds are stacked against us. Heck, people are even betting against us. Those are familiar feelings, as many face a brutal work environment, career disruption, unwelcome health challenges, or other speed bumps in their lives.

Golden Tempo’s victory wasn’t an accident. The horse had the benefit of genetics, but that will only get you so far. Plenty of champion bloodlines have never come near wearing a wreath of roses at the end of the most famous horse race in the world.

The Possibility of "What If?"

The young thoroughbred had great trainers guiding him before and during the race. He had good health. He had people who cared about and for him. His jockey, a mentor of sorts, knew how the horse ran best and set him up for success—not taking the path through the middle of the pack, which was slightly shorter, but giving him the space to do what he did best.

Imagine the possibilities if we all had these advantages. If we were able to curate the people around us so that the voices that care for us most and guide us best were the loudest. If we trained for the things we want. If we were supported with healthy food, attentive care, and abundant rest. Even if we don’t have all of these things, imagine the impact of just a few of them.

None of those advantages is easy or can be taken for granted. Finding good support systems, connecting with mentors, and simply accessing healthcare can be challenging for many. And, yes, the world of horse racing is one of money and privilege. At the same time, regardless of our circumstances, many of us can take note of the things that will best set ourselves up for success and work on cultivating more of them: finding the right people, resources, attitudes, and support to help us conquer the next challenge.
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Sometimes, that doesn’t happen overnight. Overcoming a devastating financial event or health emergency. Standing back up after you’ve been knocked down by shame or mistakes. Having your heart broken. Having your body broken. Losing that which is most precious to you. None of these can be cured by positive thinking and magic wands. They take measures of time, resources, resolve, grit, and love. Maintaining what you need to bounce back can be exhausting.

Still, Golden Tempo’s victory is a welcome reminder to all of those who are in the midst of bouncing back that, when the odds are stacked against us, anything can happen if we give it our all.

Did You Beat the Odds?

Was there a time when you did something unexpected or overcame a big challenge? I’d love to hear about it. Send me an email to connect@bloomanywhere.com.