European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 10, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Influence the outcome of the race. As a countermeasure districts that have a Good Chance in winning appoint their most trusted Aco Lilc to guard riders stable hands and officials around the clock until race Lime. The horses have five trial races to qualify for placement. The third race is followed by a solemn mais at which time jockeys and horses Are led right up to the main altar of Siena s Cathedral for a ritual Blessing. The fourth test race is held the evening before the palio. That s when tries to pick the Winner and bets Are placed ail Over town. Ten horses run in the final race. The race is held in Piazza Del Campo Siena s main Square. Tons of yellow dirt Are hauled in and packed Over i to cobblestones to create a track i hat runs along the perimeter of the Shell shaped Pia a. In the afternoon of race Day More than 30,000 spectators Are squeezed in the Middle of the Beautiful Square. As the Sun begins to fall behind the elegant medieval buildings canno shots blast the air announcing that the Competition is about to begin. Then trumpeters drummers and Flag twirlers bearing the colors of each District enter the Square among the cheering of supporters and the insults of opposing factions. By the time the Hunet  their appearance the townsfolk Are in a frenzy. The horses Are skittish. It is no secret that on the Day of the race the horses daily Vitamin shot has been spiked with potent stimulants. This practice occasionally backfires if the dotage in t precisely measured or if the race is delayed the hones come Down off i heir High and gel sluggish. Some have even fallen asleep at the starting line much to the consternation of their backers the jockeys arc handed a Short whip which they will use to prod their mount thrash the other horses a Well h the other jockeys. A rope is drawn across the rack and nine of the Jill Vry horses Are lined up behind it. As the tenth horse Gall rips up la Ihu others the rope drops and the race begins. The horses dash off in a whirlwind of dust shouting and lashing whips. Despite All the subterfuge and machinations of the participants pure Chance often prevails. The race is fast ind fierce the Corners of the track Are Sharp and the Hurst s Joll into one anal her. Often one or More riders end up on the ground. Some palios have been won by ride less horses. Three times around the Urark and the grand event is decided. The Cannon booms. S/en4,4 town known Tot in it Lind Patti Tel living gon t bit nud Over it Horst its. Inv spec tilt of diff rent  compiling for the winning Colon includes pig entry thundering Hooft Matt Rouge bawling and much merry making. The race is finished. The inhabitants of the winning District come running to join their Champion. The others , Many weeping unabashedly. The Long jockeys nuke their exit As quickly at they . There is no second or third place in the palio and the losers run the risk of being Hil and kicked by i disappointed fans. Till Victory parly begins. The1  of the winning District twirl wildly and he surging crowd leads Ili horse us jockey to the Cathedral for the awarding of the coveted palio. The Vic Luis Loke to the 41 reels ind find sadistic pleasure in showing i hair District s Flag in enemy territories accompanying their forays with impudent and mocking chants. The celebrations then move to the Winner s tlisirk.1 where tables Are set to accommodate thousand of entering Yelling and sometimes brawling participants Al the main table two places of Honor Are set one for i he winning jockey and one for the horse. Earthy tuscan food is then set out bowls of Hick bean soup stabs of Ham wheels of cheese and baskets of bread. Red wine flows from Paunchy casks into cups glasses and Mouths till it spills onto the cobbles one Street. Dancing chanting Anil l  goes on until morning. Nobody sleeps on palio night. The Defeated hide in their darkened club houses nursing i heir sorrow with their own Supply of grape nectar wailing for the slum to pass. For in the palio nobody is destroyed forever ind in the darkest hour new alliances Are formed and new plans Are concocted for the next Opportunity. The fallowing Day All expressions of hatred and Lompis Lilion put aside the town is swept Jean and sienese return to their no Nellc ind i Rit idly ways. Bui Only until the yellow Earth i f Fust my i overs it polio  and the 800-year old spirit of nud Noss is awakened once again.  10, 1987 Tripti Tuntg Tzier