Super Saver: An American Dream Come True

Super Saver! A name infused with American ideals and expectations of the working class laid lightly on the shoulders of the bay colt who ran for the roses at the 2010 Kentucky Derby and won them. I can't help but appreciate the multiple implications of the colt's name.

Calvin Borel, the athlete who is quickly writing his name in race horsing history as one of the most skilled jockeys of all time, rode Super Saver to his third Kentucky Derby victory in 4 years on this year's first stormy Saturday in May. Super Saver's name must hold special meaning to Borel as he continues to write his horse racing history. Consider the implications of Super Saver's name for a jockey who has twice won the Kentucky Derby and has twice failed to achieve the Triple Crown.

If third time is a charm, then Borel must consider that this special colt may be the one to save his perfect career finish by handing up the Triple Crown. Borel is 43; the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby was Bill Shoemaker, who at 54 rode Ferdinand to victory in 1986. However, Shoemaker did not ever achieve the coveted Triple Crown, and I am willing to wager, as horse racing is a betting sport, that Borel may consider Super Saver his last chance to add the Triple Crown to his career victories. If achieved, Borel just may be the oldest jockey in history to win the Triple Crown. (Note: Typically, I would have researched this fact to a greater depth, but kids and travel don't lend me the time to do this at the moment. So, I'm making an educated guess.).

Also, Todd Pletcher must consider Super Saver the horse that saved his Derby career. Pletcher, a trainer with an outstanding career in horse racing, has trained 24 horses to race in the Derby but never one that actually wore the roses--that is, until Super Saver. I must say that the look on Pletcher's face was more relieved than victorious when Super Saver crossed the finish line two-and-a-half lengths ahead of Ice Box. Finally, he must have thought, just before it occurred to him to be ecstatic that his horse had won.

And while Super Saver is saving people, let him also save Glen Fullerton of Texas, the 2010 Derby Dream Bet Winner. Fullerton's name was picked out of 67,000 entries to receive $100,000 from Churchill Downs and CNBC to place one bet in the Derby race in the 2010 Derby Dream Bet Sweepstakes. I'm sure you can guess which horse he bet on to win it all: Super Saver! Fullerton walked away with $900,000 after Derby Day, and if he looks for super saving deals and super savings, bonds, and investments for the rest of his life, Fullerton may never have to really work again.

Of course, this American dream may be too good to be true, but Super Saver has proven that more than one dream can come to fruition from a single act of excellence.

What does all of this have to do with my move to Germany?

I think it simply reaffirms for me that dreams can--and do--come true. My dream of one day living in Europe will come to fruition just two weeks after Super Saver's dream-come-true victory. Like Borel, Pletcher, and Fullerton, I'm a lucky girl, and I hope I make the best use of my time in Europe in the same way that I wish the best for Borel, Pletcher, and Fullerton. May Borel win the Triple Crown and break the 32-year dry spell; may Pletcher train a dozen more Derby winners; and may Fullerton never have to work again.

It's America, and dreams do come true. You've got to love this country!