There are ofttimes when “if only Phyllis were here, she’d love this” is the thought that abides seemingly everything.  This week was one of those times.  Both kids moved and needed help.  Paige is smiling and making noises.  We met Tracy’s Mom.  Tracy’s realizing what Phyl always said; it’s different with a boy.  Jody’s starting work on the first show he’s created.  Cuckookitty (Phyl called her Black Beauty) came out from under the bed.  There’s now a Girl Scout Cookies Thin Mint (her absolute fave) ice cream.  Phyllis would’ve loved the Modern Family wedding finale, the new “Jersey Boys” movie, and Goldie in Katy Perry’s “Birthday”.

But, incongruously, the allusion that makes me cry is California Chrome.  Everyone knew Phyllis loved animals, but most people were unaware of her fascination with the Derby and Triple Crown of horseracing. Nearly every year since 1977, when we’d go to Hollywood Park to see Seattle Slew, she’d watch the Kentucky Derby, and if the same horse won the Preakness, you can be sure she’d watch the Belmont, to see if he’d win the Triple Crown.  No-one did.  When Adam was home, she’d watch with him.   Big Brown, Smarty Jones, Sunday Silence, Alysheba, and she particularly loved Funny Cide, owned by a regular bunch of high school friends.  All lost.

Now, she’d so enjoy California Chrome going for it.   Bought for not millions, but under $10,000, not by a syndicate but two novice ordinary working guys, trained not by bigtime winners, but an 80-something who’d never had a good horse nor been east, bred not in Kentucky but right here.  Stable name Dumb Ass Partners, and, created purposely by their wives, the insignia on the horse’s colors is a jackass.  She’d be reading and watching everything she could, excited and tuned in for sure.  She’d love these people and this horse.  I know she would.  If only….