Truly a Palio Straordinario! WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW PALII STRAORDINARI ARE PRETTY RARE EVENTS, IN FACT THE LAST TIME  THAT ONE HAD TAKEN PLACE HAD BEEN IN OCCASION OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM. THIS  WAS RACED IN HONOR OF THE CENTENARY OF THE END OF WWI AND THE DECISION TO ORGANISE IT ARRIVED ONLY IN LATE SEPTEMBER. IN THESE CASES THE TEN CONTRADE THAT PARTICIPATE ARE RANDOMLY DRAWN AND ALAS THE HAND OF FATE WASN'T GENEROUS WITH MY BRUCO (CATERPILLAR) CONTRADA THAT WAS LEFT OUT. TARTUCA WASN'T AMONG THE FAVORITES THE HORSE THE LOTTERY ASSIGNED THEM WAS A PALIO FIRST TIMER AND THE JOCKEY A YOUNG LAD WITH LESS THAN A MERE HANDFUL OF RACES AT TOP LEVELS. THE BIG FAVORITE WAS  NICCHIO (SEA SHELL) DESPERATELY IN NEED OF A VICTORY SINCE 1998. AFTER 40 MINUTES OF NERVE RACKING TENSION THE RACE SUDDENLY STARTED AND AT THE FIRST TREACHEROUS TURNS THE BATTLING RIDERS COMMENCED FALLING LIKE MATURE PEARS.  IN THE END IT WAS THE RIDERLESS TURTLE HORSE THAT TRIUMPED AND CONQUERED THE BANNER (BELOW). THE LAST TIME A RIDERLESS HORSE HAD WON HAD BEEN IN 2004 (GIRAFFE). RIDERLESS OR NOT, STATISTICALLY IT COUNTS FOR THE JOCKEY AS A VICTORY TO PROUDLY ADD TO HIS ROLE OF HONOR.  I'm glad that readers are raving about my new book. I agree, The Year of the Chicory is a bit of a return to the atmosphere and style of my earliest works. You can order both Paperback (three day delivery) or Kindle on Amazon by using the buttons below. I'm positive you will enjoy and look forward answering your questions as well as reading your reviews!  Button Button And finally! I'm picking olives this week. Pressing and shipping next! No more delays! We have a new courier service and if you place your order now (bottles, cans, gift boxes) I can guarantee November delivery! The rare Chianti Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil this year is looking real good and yummy! For details, orders and questions just check out my site or send me an e-mail! www.dariocastagno.com  This message was sent to Dario@dariocastagno.com by Dario@dariocastagno.com Via del Taglio 8, Vagliagli, Siena 53019, Italy Unsubscribe | Manage Subscription | Forward Email | Report Abuse View this email in your browser You are receiving this email because of your relationship with Dario Castagno and Rasna Olive Oil. Please reconfirm your interest in receiving emails from us. If you do not wish to receive any more emails, you can unsubscribe here.

Share this:del.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponMySpaceTwitter