Life In the Shadow of the Sixteenth Pole

Life In The Shadow Of The Sixteenth Pole

Disclaimer: Many of you know that I grew up about 65 miles from the famed Indy 500 oval. It was approximately a similar distance to the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. While teaching American Defense Policy at the University of Kentucky, I was about 20 minutes from the playground of the ultra-rich at Keeneland horse track.

I have seen all of these fabled tracks from the air, but have never been on the ground at these internationally known pieces of sporting real estate. I try to watch the Derby and Indy 500 each year on television. The singing of My Old Kentucky Home and Back Home Again In Indiana always seems to fog the trifocals of this converted Okie.

Kentuckians, including those in self-imposed exile, feel a special bit of equine two-minute history on the first Saturday in May. Names like Whirlaway, Citation, Secretariat,  Gallant Fox, War Admiral, Seattle Slew, and five other Triple Crown Winners are fondly recalled like favorite uncles. Man of War, Needles, Nashua, Northern Dancer and of course, everyone’s favorite Rose Party crasher, Swaps, are remembered like nearby cousins.

Empathy abounds when recalling Hall of Fame Jockey Bill Shoemaker’s inexplicable million dollar mistake, that cost Gallant Man in the 1957 Derby, a rose blanket and a place in history. Shoemaker mistook the sixteenth pole as the finish line and eased up and finished second to Iron Leigh.

Here is a brief application for all:

Yoga Beria allegedly first said, “It’s not over till it’s over.” We must keep giving our best until we cross the finish line.

All of us live our lives in the shadow of the sixteenth pole and life can be over in a heartbeat. Our opportunity and joy is to be ready whenever that day comes. (Revelation 3:20 is Jesus’ invitation for our preparation.)

                                 ---Glenn <><