Rosie the Riveting

After reading Seabiscuit a few years ago, I came away feeling that the world of jockeys is about as alien to me as space aliens.  It's a tough life.  Constant travel. Sunburn. Weight issues -- a few extra pounds and your career is in jeopardy.  Falling off your horse during a race, and being trampled by someone else's. Ouch.  It's hard.

And so, when Rosie Napravnik rode Pants on Fire in last week's Kentucky Derby, I thought -- it's been a while since I've seen a woman jockey.  Rosie didn't win, but she made the history books.  Only six female jockeys have competed in the Derby.  Rosie placed the highest (9th) of any woman jockey in Derby history. 

It's refreshing to have a strong, fearless young athlete named ROSIE to add to the crossword lexicon.  There have been other athletes:  footballer/needlepoint fan Rosey Grier. (The spelling variation comes in handy when you want to construct a sneaky corner that involves a big guy who loves to do needlepoint.)

There's Rosie Casals, women's tennis pioneer of the '60s/'70s who pops up at celebrity golf tournaments every now and then.  She was fearless too.

Then there's . . . Rosie Ruiz, who "won" the Boston Marathon, and later was stripped of her title. (You mean, it's not okay to ditch the course and take the subway to the finished line?)  No.  Please, no.    

A new Rosie is here!  May young Rosie Napravnik have a long, historic and successful career.  Good show!