Rather than turning to Hallmark for Valentines today, I thought I’d share with you some verses that my gelding, Bravo, wrote to a certain lovely filly named “Second Kiss” (her barn name was “Dottie”)  at Bay Yard Farm in Texas.   He was quite the Romeo, and it’s worth noting that his full name, on his Jockey Club papers, was “Bravo Valentino.”

Bravo Valentino and his scribe

handsome fellow, and he knew it

One of his first attempts (with apologies to Edmund FitzGerald’s translation):

           ROMEO’S RUBAIYAT
A bale of hay, a bucket of water and thou
Beside me in a stall. Oh wow!

        XX MARKS THE “DOT”
Oh fickle filly, don’t be a tease.
Be Valentino’s #1 squeeze!

RUN FOR THE ROSES
Dear Ms. Moore, my little “Dot,”
I’m still in love and you’re still hot,

But recently you broke my heart,
By acting like a Paris tart:

I’ve seen you flirt, I’ve seen the smiles,
‘Twixt you and Debbie’s chestnut, Miles.

I like that guy, and think he’s swell,
But I’m chocolate and he’s caramel.

I know about roses in Derby measure
From my great grandsire, Foolish Pleasure.

So for roses and chocolate and nips divine,
Choose me, little Dottie, say you’ll be mine.

Respectfully Yours,
Bravo Valentino

                                                            Happy Valentine’s Day!