Every year at this time I'm reminded of the time I gave my sister Linda $10 to put on Jacklin Klugman to Show at the 1980 Kentucky Derby. Our middle sister was named Jacquelin and I was a fan of the horse's owner, Jack Klugman. I just figured it was meant to be.
Linda was going to the derby with a friend of hers. They were going to be on the lawn in a special 'got-to-know-somebody-to-go' section. Before she left I reminded her one last time.
Jacklin Klugman to Show. Here's ten bucks. Which horse?
Jackie Kugelman.
Jacklin Klugman. How much?
Ten dollars.
Which place?
First.
Third.
I wrote it on the ten-dollar bill.
The day of the derby my mother was watching to see if she could spot Linda in a crowd of 135,000 spectators. My dad was in his recliner. He woke up at the sound of the bugle. I was in my room. He yelled down the hall to me.
What was your horse?
Jacklin Klugman.
What place?
To Show.
How much?
Ten bucks.
You'd better come in here.
I watched the final turn to the finish.
Jacklin Klugman paid $4.40 times $10. $44.00 dollars.
These are 1980 dollars.
Linda came home late the next night. She said she had a great time. There was no mention of the $44.
Ever.
Years later Linda was hosting a Kentucky Derby party. She started talking about her trip. I finally asked her what happened. She said she was going to tell me she lost the ticket or she forgot to place the bet or she picked Jacklin Klugman to Win. The truth was her picks lost all day long. The only winning ticket she held was mine.
She and her friend drank it. In 1980, $44 bought a lot of drinks.
If you're looking for a connection to Stumpstone, the fifth-place horse was Rockhill Native.
STUMPSTONE QUOTE OF THE DAY:
- “The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family.” ~ Lee Iacocca
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