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Today is the Kentucky Derby, the greatest two minutes in sports.
If you've been reading this column for a few years -- actually a few decades now -- first, thank you, and second, you're aware that I make an annual derby pick.
Since I know almost nothing about horse racing, I would consult the older and wiser.
Years ago, I met Glenn Stevens through friends at Sinking Valley and learned he was an expert in racing.
Glenn attended big races, performed blood testing for horses at West Virginia tracks and studied pedigrees. If he didn't pick the derby winner, he could at least make educated guesses on which horses wouldn't win because of their breeding.
A good guy and former Hollidaysburg teacher, Glenn passed away two years ago, for sure too young at age 70.
Along the way, I also began consulting my dad, David Rudel, who followed the horses, at least from his favorite chair, and I'd throw his pick into a notes column.
Dad purposely wouldn't take the chalk favorite -- "anybody can do that," he'd say -- so he'd offer up a 10-1 shot and sure enough, one of his first predictions was Funny Cide in 2003.
I called him right after that race, and he excitedly responded, "I guess not!"
Well, after nailing the 13-1 underdog, needless to say Dad had earned the right to continue, even if he wasn't looking for the pressure.
Derby time would arrive and friends -- OK, Larry McAleer -- would be asking, "Who's your dad like?" (Larry couldn't believe after Funny Cide, I didn't have Dad pick the 2003 Preakness.)
As the years went on, when we'd meet for our weekly breakfast in Ebensburg (halfway between here and his home in Johnstown), Dad would humor me by sustaining our tradition.
Hence, there's a definite void today as this is the first derby David Rudel is no longer with us, having passed away Jan. 22 after a most blessed life of 91 years.
Though his attention span was waning, he cooperated long enough last year to offer Mo Donegal, who finished fifth but was closing hard and just needed a few more furlongs.
Immediately after the race, when I sought him via the cell phone that he mainly ignored to congratulate him on "at least getting a call," Dad was either asleep or didn't hear the phone. Or both. After all, it was 7:08.
Finally reached the next morning, he pleaded guilty with his usual, "What can I tell you?"
So this year will be a group effort.
My brother, Barry, who helped coax Mo Donegal out of Dad last year, predicts Derma Sotogake at 10-1.
"Your buddy Larry," as Dad called him, likes Tapit Trice, which at 5-1 trails only favorite Forte, a 3-1 frontrunner.
I'll throw a flyer on 16-1 Mage in honor of the Curve player (Drew Maggi) who got called up after 13 minor league seasons.
I also solicited some help from around the Mirror.
Buck Frank, our sports editor, attended the 1997 derby. He's picking Angel of Empire at 8-1, saying, "I like the odds, and he's Pennsylvania bred."
It also turns out that advertising representative Lori Guyer has lots of expertise.
She is raising two horses in Roaring Spring, including the son of Curlin, none other than the 2007 Preakness winner.
Curlin, apparently, was quite busy following his racing career, having sired more than 100 horses. One was Flip, who Lori adopted a few years ago after his racing career ended due to a bone chip in his knee.
Lori graduated from Wilson College with a degree in equine management so this was high-level analysis. She said Tapit Trice is one of three tapits in the race.
"I usually don't go for the grays," she said. "They're beautiful, but they're nasty. He (Tapid Trice) just might be mean enough."
Friday morning, when I went downstairs to confirm her pick, Lori was actually dressed in full jockey gear -- complete with a Secretariat tribute shirt and a protective helmet with double goggles that she got from the Mellon family.
I am not kidding.
While she named Kingsbarns (12-1) as her longshot, she mildly protested that she prefers to make her pick closer to post time (6:57 p.m.).
"I need to watch them on the walk and who's sweating the most," Lori said. "I like to see their condition."
I explained the Mirror has a deadline and couldn't wait that long.
Here's hoping your derby pick wins you a couple bucks today and makes you some memories.
I know I will always treasure mine.
Rudel can be reached at 814-946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.