The Breeders’ Cup made news Thursday, right smack dab in the middle of the Triple Crown, with an announcement of the reconfiguration of the race schedules for the Friday and Saturday World Championship days.

The clouds parted and the rain stopped in Central Kentucky last weekend just in time for Old Friends Equine to throw its annual Homecoming open house and fund-raiser at the facility near Georgetown.

Kathleen Parker, a syndicated columnist, took advantage of Kentucky Derby internet eyeballs to pen a piece of clickbait commentary that began as praise for the fact that the victorious Justify did not race as a 2-year-old and ended with an appeal to restore a well-regulated horse slaughter industry to these United States. The column was illustrated with – what else? – a gorgeous shot of Justify winning the Derby.

There’s a song from “The Crow,” by Jane Siberry, called “It Can’t Rain All the Time,” which in 2019 should become the official Kentucky Derby anthem. It’s not much of a sing-along, but it’s a lot better than trying to keep a straight face through lyrics like “… the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home.”

There is an empty stall on a particular version of horse racing’s Mount Rushmore – the one with the faces of Eddie Arcaro, William Hartack, and Bill Shoemaker staring down upon the mortals below.

Bill Spawr, a man who rarely strays far from home, is at Churchill Downs this week with Midnight Bisou, winner of three stakes this winter at Santa Anita and just two noses shy of a perfect 5-for-5 record.

For those who have become overwhelmed by the political and cultural upheaval of 2018, I have a soothing remedy. Take a look at 1968 – and count your blessings.

If there was a more traumatic year in the past half-century, no one noticed. But don’t take my word for it. The Smithsonian has referred to it as, “The year that shattered America.” The grim highlights from just the first half of 1968 included:

Stewart Elliott reported for work at Santa Anita Park on Thursday to find his name right there at the top of the standings, tied with Flavien Prat. Elliott’s reaction was typical of any rider in such a situation.

“Yeah, man, it felt pretty good,” Elliott said.

Before the kids take over and wreck the vacation condo, let’s give the seniors a brief turn in the spotlight. After all, there is a remote possibility that some of the 3-year-olds sucking the air out of the game during Triple Crown season might just make it to physical maturity.

Flashbacks are no fun. They come without warning, usually triggered by trauma, reviving a moment best forgotten.

The death of Bullards Alley as a result of the injury he suffered in the Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland last Saturday was bad enough. The stalwart 6-year-old was the star of the Tim Glyshaw stable for owners Wayne Spalding and Faron McCubbins, and carried himself with class and dignity through a career of 39 previous starts, highlighted by his sweeping win in the Canadian International last year.