Gold has soared into First Place! Gold is over $4,000 per ounce. And house prices and rents have slowly decreased. We expect that real estate will recover and TMP will be back in First Place, maybe sometime next year.

We went to Siena, Italy  for the 700 hundred year old horse race run in July and August;

Before they had parades and celebrations. Shell parading in the Goose district. Our AirBnB was in the Goose district:

We went as giraffe fans. We got tickets to the dinner before the race:

Dinner before:

We went to a cooking class:

Here is a video of our AirBnB apartment on the fourth floor, no elevator:

Finally, to test the AI GROK, I asked this question about the Palio. One minute and 38 seconds later:

“every year in Siena, Italy they run a horse race called “the Palio” twice. This has been going on for over 700 years. What was the most exciting Palio ever?

Thought for 1m 38s

The Palio di Siena is inherently chaotic and thrilling by design—a bareback horse race around the tight, sloping Piazza del Campo, fueled by centuries-old rivalries among the city’s 17 contrade (districts), with bribery, sabotage, brawls, and riderless horses (“scosso”) often stealing the show. Determining the single “most exciting” one over 700+ years is subjective, as excitement can stem from dramatic upsets, violence, legendary performances, or cultural significance. Based on historical accounts, scandals, and popular narratives, several stand out, but one frequently highlighted for its sheer drama and unprecedented achievement is the series of races in 1954 involving the mare Gaudenzia.Why 1954 Stands OutGaudenzia, a half-Arabian workhorse turned champion, became a legend by winning three consecutive Palios that year—an feat no horse had ever accomplished before (or since, in such rapid succession).

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Here’s the breakdown:

  • July 2, 1954 (Palio di Provenzano): Ridden by Marino Lupi for the Giraffa contrada, Gaudenzia dominated in a clean but intense run, clocking 1:21 for the three-lap course.
  • August 16, 1954 (Palio dell’Assunta): Again for Giraffa, she won riderless after her jockey fell early, charging ahead through the mayhem of falls and interference to cross first— a classic scosso victory that electrified the crowd, as the horse alone claims the win in Palio rules.
  • September 1954 (Extraordinary Palio): An additional race was held due to the excitement, and Gaudenzia triumphed once more, cementing her status. This “hat trick” sparked massive celebrations and inspired books like Marguerite Henry’s Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio, which details her rise from a humble cart horse trained by young Giorgio Terni.

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The year was packed with tension: rival contrade plotted against her, jockeys whipped opponents mid-race, and the physical risks were high, with multiple falls. Gaudenzia’s raw power and underdog story amplified the thrill, making it a benchmark for Palio lore.Other Contenders for “Most Exciting”If “exciting” leans toward outright bedlam, consider these:

  • August 20, 1945 (Palio della Pace): Held to celebrate WWII’s end, this was one of the most tumultuous in modern history. Won by Drago’s Gioacchino Calabro on Rubacuori (horse: Folco), it involved rampant bribery, a disputed finish, and post-race riots where Bruco supporters tore the victory banner to pieces, leading to street fights and injuries.

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Penalties were issued but later withdrawn amid the chaos.

  • August 16, 2018: An extraordinary Palio for WWI’s centenary ended with Drago’s win, but not before a massive crash at the San Martino curve unseated three jockeys, followed by a brawl between Nicchio and Valdimontone fans that required police intervention.

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  • August 16, 2023: Zio Frac won riderless for Oca after jockey Carlo Sanna fell halfway, in a photo-finish upset that echoed classic Palio unpredictability.

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Riderless victories like these are Palio hallmarks, adding edge-of-your-seat drama since the horse can still win solo. Overall, the event’s excitement comes from its lawlessness—jockeys can sabotage each other, alliances form and break, and crowds of 40,000+ erupt in passion.

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If you have a specific era or type of excitement in mind (e.g., modern vs. historical), I can dive deeper!”