A very good friend of ours goes to the Kentucky Derby ever year. It's a family tradition for him. Mark never misses it. Every year we're asked for our bids. I never bid.

This year, well, this year was different. He tells me a horse that has 'bird' in its name will race. OK! Hey why not? What's five bucks? Two days of no coffee at 7-11 for me. No biggie.

While we're watching the lead-up, Scott says, "your horse is number 8."

Ok, 8. Roger that. We've only been watching the Derby all day, hoping for a glimpse of Mark. It got old after three times of me going: "THERE HE IS!" to Olivia before she caught on and left me.

We watch all the pre-shows, ladies with hats etc... and then the horses in the pens.

AND THEY'RE OFF!!!

Scott: "What's your horse's odds again?"

Me: "Err... 47 to 1 why?"

"What's your horse's name again?"

"Mine the Bird."

Round they go and lo and behold here comes this horse from the back, hugging the rail. Left the rest behind. KTHXBAI!!! And the horse is...

Well, we don't know exactly which horse it is. It's not like we're really paying attention. But there he was, big as you please on the TV screen, number...

Me, suspiciously: "What was my horse's number again?"

Scott: "Well, I thought it was 8. But 8 won, I must've got it wrong."

Suddenly, the name comes up on the bottom of the screen... MINE THE BIRD!

First thing done: Text Mark!

Next: Jump up and down and scream!

Last: Point at Scott and say "TOLD YA!" Just because.

It was really nice to get the phone call from Mark telling me that he was bringing home a nice chunk of change for me.

Amazing what a 5 buck bid of WHY NOT will get you when your friend tells you there's a horse with BIRD in its name running the Derby, eh? :)

**Mark! I owe you dinner!**