1. The temperature was above freezing at the starting gate and skies were clear.

2. Leave a two-pound pile at the starting gate, shaves valuable time off that final eighth.

3. Due to warm temperatures, the downhill was moved up an hour from 11:00, but temperatures were still above freezing in the starting gate.

4. Alcestis is a wonderful first novel from Katharine Beutner, and the only reason I mention it as a first is just because it amazes me that someone can be this good right out of the starting gate

5. Trained by Barrera, who had turned the speedy Bold Forbes into the winner of the 1976 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, Affirmed was a smallish, lightly regarded colt when he entered the starting gate at Belmont Park on May 24, 1977 for his career debut.