Cole's Gram & Tom Ridge's Record

A horse named "Cole's Gram" was 10-1 in the first harness race at the Duquoin State Fair yesterday, which would have paid $20 on a $2 bet.

Since I was wearing a bright yellow shirt with Carbondale's Mayor Brad Cole and Marion Mayor Robert Butler's images emblazoned on the back -- promoting Carbondale while standing in line for a Lemon Shakeup (the drink, not the ride) -- I decided to place a bet.

Besides, I was intrigued by the name "Cole's Gram" . . . of what? Was there a connection to Cole's Original Home Remedy? (making possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis sativa a city offense, payable by mail, reports the DE). Ignoring the odds, I placed a (losing) bet, but should have bet on a horse named Tom Ridge (who, despite the name, did not run backwards around the track) set a two world records ("like back to back no-hitters") in the World Trotting Derby.

Despite the colorful shirt, neither Mayors Butler nor Cole needed me to stand in line at the Fair to promote their cities. Both were recently featured in a St. Louis P-D article by William Lamb, as other cities consider "Cole's Home Remedy #2" -- the probably unconstitutional Home Rule medical malpractice ordinance he came up with. But that's a topic for another blog.

If you're still wondering what "Cole's Gram" referred to, apparently there are horse care products called "Cole's Liniment" and "Cole's Gel" on the market, but not much information about either was available.

But one question remains: if there are 11 (12?) Big Ten schools, why can't there be four races in the Harness Racing Triple Crown?