run for the roses

Noun

 * 1)  The Kentucky Derby horse race.
 * 2)  A college football game or series of games played with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the championship Rose Bowl game.
 * 3) * 1954, Lloyd Larson, "Ohio Comes Through Like Real Champ," Milwaukee Sentinel, 23 Nov., part 2, p. 2 (retrieved 24 Aug. 2009):
 * Looking back at Ohio State's run for the roses, there might be some who will insist the Buckeyes were lucky to escape defeat at least once. . . . the Buckeyes whipped a jinx in the form of premature Rose Bowl talk.
 * 1)  A hard-fought competition or demanding challenge of any kind.