Jumble Spoiler – 05/17/16

Big Brown, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, at the 2008 Belmont Stakes, where he was pulled up. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Visual Description:  Before Wilbur bought him.

LIVAT  =  VITAL,  POMOH  =  OOMPH,  TAWULN  =  WALNUT,  KASTBE  =  BASKET   —   Giving us:  IONTBE

Clue/Question:  The horse didn’t like wearing a mouthpiece.  He didn’t like it – – –

Shackleford and Animal Kingdom (right) fighting for the win at the 2011 Preakness Stakes run on May 21, 2011. Shackleford was fourth in the Kentucky Derby to the winner Animal Kingdom. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Answer:  ONE BIT

(Very cute!  All of today’s clue words were old favorites, however three of the jumbles came up as new.  We have definitely seen “pomoh” before.  I thought they were all pretty easy solves.  The answer letter layout was great, for such a short, fairly obvious answer.  Great horsey cartoon!  Maybe Jeff is getting in the mood for this week’s Preakness!  Nyquist seems to have the chops to repeat as a Triple Crown winner, if all goes right.  Surprisingly, to me, the Kentucky Derby finished 1, 2, and 3, odds-wise!  I don’t keep track of these kind of things, but I can’t remember when that last happened.  Especially, when you consider the ridiculously crowded field they allow for the Kentucky Derby.  Anything can happen when you allow 20 horses to run, and very often the favorite does not even factor in the win, place, or show.  So, for the top three favorite horses to finish 1, 2 and 3 was a rarity, in this day and age, at the Derby.  At least the Preakness sets a saner limit of 14 horses.  I’m not sure if there’s a limit on the number of horses at the Belmont, but I know very often it’s between 8 and 14 horses.  I never understand why they allow 20 horses to run at the Derby.  Except in very rare cases, I think it cuts down on the possibility of a Triple Crown champion, because very often the better horse does not win it.  Maybe, I’ll put in a call to Mike Francesa, at The Fan.  He’s one of the few sports analysts that really knows about horse racing.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR