(Rich Strike gets the garland of roses / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Editor’s Note:

In today’s sports world, few players in the professional ranks play through the pain; when they may have a minor injury, like a hang nail; like when they don’t feel 100% or, sometimes, even when they don’t feel like it.

This week, our very own Holly M. Smith has not been 100%. She’s had a few nicks along the way. And, sometimes she may not have felt “like it” to be tromping through the “mud, blood and the beer,” as the late, great Johnny Cash may warble in his tune “A Boy Named Sue.”

But she was game.

But she was there.

But she hung in.

And, she captured all the glory — just like an underrated, over-achiever like Rich Strike.

We struck it rich when we met Holly several years ago, and got to know her and her mom and dad, too.

Here’s her views of KY Derby 148; all photos by Holly M. Smith:

The Glory of Rich Strike, Who Struck It Rich in the 148th Kentucky Derby:

Summer Is Tomorrow:

Harley, the Lead Pony to the Stars:

Rich Strike in the Post Parade; He Must Have “A Thing” for Lead Ponies:

Zozos:

Classic Causeway:

Barber Road:

Taiba:

Tiz the Bomb:

Crown Pride:

Messier:

Smile Happy:

Summer Is Tomorrow:

Mo Donegal:

Zandon:

Epicenter:

Taiba:

Summer Is Tomorrow:

Charge It:

Barber Road:

Simplification:

Rich Strike:

Zozos:

Smile Happy: