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Article: Italy's Palio race is a horse of a different color
- Article from:
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)
- Article date:
- May 16, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1999 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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The Palio, started in 1597, is a fantastic, universally
appreciated annual horse race . . .unless you happen to be one of
the horses that crashes into the stone embankments as racers careen
around the medieval city plaza; one of the jockeys who gets bucked
off or beaten up by locals for throwing the race; or one of the
spectators who has trouble coping with 100-degree temperatures while
packed in the viewing area next to older German tourists with big
hair and unusual personal body fragrances.
Otherwise, like I say, the race is fantastic.
The Palio is held twice a year July 2 and Aug. 16 but the real
start of this event comes four days before the race.
On the morning of Aug. 13, I ...