NEW YORK - There is plenty of strange and unexpected human behavior at the Kentucky Derby every year, from the infield to Millionaire's Row, but some of the strangest took place on the tote board, where the public rebelled against the morning line and conventional wisdom as never before.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - All this talk about a Barbaro Triple Crown is nothing more than wishful thinking, idle speculation, and, at worst, a cruel tease, preying on the open wounds of racing fans still bitter from recent betrayals. Might as well toss in world peace and a cure for the common cold and then mail the list off to Santa, for all the good it will do.

WASHINGTON - Whenever a horse captures the Kentucky Derby with authority, the hype invariably begins: The winner is a superhorse. He's going to sweep the Triple Crown. Although the racing world wants desperately to see a bright new star, high hopes for Derby winners are almost always dashed. No horse has managed to sweep the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978, and no winner of the Derby has gone on to become an acclaimed superhorse since Spectacular Bid in 1979.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In the chaos of the moments just before the running of the 132nd Kentucky Derby, Lilliana Prado and her two young children, Luis and Patricia, were blocked out of their box seats in the jockeys' section of the Churchill Downs grandstand. It happens.

The Prados were rescued by Alex Solis Jr., the 21-year-old son of Brother Derek's jockey, who ushered them into his family box. Moments later, as the race unfolded before them, Alex Jr. looked on with mixed emotions as the Prado kids cheered their father to victory, while Alex Sr. sustained another Derby defeat.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - John Shirreffs is to blame. It is his fault that reasoned analysis of the 2006 Kentucky Derby has disintegrated into a pile of frustrating rubble, accompanied by shrugs, growls, and sighs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Greg Norman vows that some day, when one of his horses wins a big one, he'll show up in the winner's circle wearing a super-sized black cowboy hat and carrying a golf-style leader board with "G. Norman" alone at the top, just for yucks.

"I've had jockey agents tell me they've made bets with people who are absolutely convinced I'm the other Greg Norman," Norman said. "Then I show up."

On May 2, 1906, midway through President Teddy Roosevelt's second term and two weeks after the Great San Francisco Earthquake, the Kentucky Derby was run for the 32nd time at Churchill Downs. The $6,000 race on a Wednesday afternoon drew little national attention, and the victorious Sir Huon, a son of Falsetto named for a character in a German opera, made no lasting mark in the annals of American racing.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Not to be greedy, but Steve Asmussen figures now that he has won a Kentucky Oaks, like he did last year with Summerly, he might as well make room on the mantel for a Kentucky Derby bauble, as well.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Biff Lowry lives, and swims, and still writes about racing, all good news for those who follow the American racehorse, regardless of breed. It is particularly good news for those following the Derby hopeful Brother Derek.

The Lowry name has been tied to racing journalism in Southern California for decades, first through Paul Sr., the longtime racing writer of the Los Angeles Times, and then through Biff, his son, who toiled in major publicity and managerial roles at tracks from coast to coast.

WASHINGTON - The Triple Crown races subject trainers to intense scrutiny and pressure. Some, such as Bob Baffert and Nick Zito, thrive on it; they can deal with interviewers for hours a day and still maintain a sharp focus on their horses. The majority of horsemen grudgingly tolerate the media circus and the necessity to answer the same questions day after day. But rarely has a trainer appeared so miserable in the spotlight as Barclay Tagg.