Drinko de Mayo

Taking this photograph was breathtaking; I swear I could have swept my hand on the horse's hide, while watching my money horse bringing up the rear.

Saturday's annual Queen's Cup Steeplechase, the region's complement to the upcoming Kentucky Derby, could not have gone better. The two and a half mile course, a grand display of turf and rolling landscape, literally dripped in sunshine and lived up to "fire ant-free" as advertised.

For Urban Crawlers, it was all about the Crest, an elevated tailgate for the poor man enjoying nearly a complete circumferential view of the course (the horse's ran two laps per race) for oh, about $125 per parking space.

Our two kegs of beer, a gas grill, and a circumferential view of the lovely ladies clad in their best spring gear (those hats were atrocious, though) was well worth the money I didn't spend. I was fortunate to accept an invite--from my accountant Jim Powderly--on his sponsored investment.

As usual, the odds were not in my favor; I had no horse in this fight all afternoon, and parted ways with about fifty bucks that could have subsidized one of those kegs.

By day's end, a perfect farmer's tan, a loss of beer count, and grass stains on my linen pants was all I had to show.

They'll be clean by next year.
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Although Cinco de Mayo's ill-timed Friday event may be overshadowed by the usual weekend crowds, there's still plenty of opportunity to celebrate this Mexican holiday while the country stews over illegal immigration.

Recommended celebrating:

• Lazyday.com bar crawl (aren't they always worth it?) starts at Dixie's 7:30 pm.
• Cantina 1511 (East Blvd.), which was featured last year. Parking lot is roped off for Simplified (live entertainment), post-show DJ, giveaways every half-hour.
  
• La Paz (South End) Mexican Olympics, parking deck rooftop live band (Special Purpose), $3 Corona, 16 oz. Bud Light, $3.50 house margaritas, $4 Cuervo Gold shots
• Salsa's (6676 Carmel Rd) This irresistable little hideway in Carmel Commons shopping center will stay open late, offer a DJ, and well, has some of the best salsa I've eaten here. $12.99 Mexican beer buckets, $2.25 individuals, $2.99 Cuervo margaritas.

I can't guarantee that they're all staffed with legal aliens; I don't really care. Do you? Post your response.