Because, as the Kentucky Derby showed on Saturday, sometimes the little guys can score one against big guys with deeper pockets. And the cool thing is, when that happens, it’s probably an even bigger win, because it revitalizes interest in the sport (or in the publishing industry).

For those who don’t follow horse racing (and shame on you), a $9500 gelding (from Canada) named Mine that Bird came from way behind to stun the field. I suspect, in reality, that there were probably traffic jams, which created the perfect opportunity. But that’s okay. Because things like that happen in both industries. And it’s a good thing when it does.

Why? Because it inspires hope.

Horse owners, breeders, trainers, even those who are just fans, saw the race yesterday and knew that in this Sport of Kings, the little guys can, and do, get their chances. Most trainers and breeders toil at regional and local tracks, their horses never going beyond some of the larger stakes that those venues offer. A Grade III or Grade II race may be the pinnacle of their career, and that’s even without their horse crossing the line first.

Just like authors toiling away at their computers. They write, hoping that a publisher will pick up their story. Sometimes it’s a small publisher, and those authors are happy building their career, step by step, working into a situation that makes them happy. Others are seemingly snatched from obscurity by big agent deals that involve even bigger money. And others, make the leap from the smaller presses to the big ones, bringing heightened awareness to smaller presses, electronic publishing, and the romance genre as a whole.

And no matter whether you’re racing horses or writing romance novels, it’s a gamble. The horse might twist his ankle a day before the race like Iwantrevenge did. The big name editor might purchase another manuscript too similar in theme and sends back a rejection letter to the author. Just like the owners of Iwantrevenge, those authors continue on, secure in their dreams and professional goals. Their chance will come, and if anyone needs a reminder, just look at a smallish colt with Canadian origins. Because sometimes grit and determination will triumph over money and prestige.