A Kentucky Derby rundown

[wayne1218]

ESPN
By Jay Cronley

Here's the one thing we know for sure, the post positions.


1. Daddy Long Legs, 30-1: Been nice knowing you.

2. Optimizer, 50-1: Mr. Lukas deserves better.

3. Take Charge Indy, 15-1: Locally adjusted odds for wood worker Borel.

4. Union Rags, 9-2: Start will determine finish. Owes me money.

5. Dullahan, 8-1: With three sorry Churchill finishes, why so short?

6. Bodemeister, 4-1: A chief element in determining what to do with your money in the Derby is deciding what to do with this one. One of the best trainers wouldn't want his son named for a cheap claimer, so this one has figured since birth. No horse since about 1492 has won this after grazing through his second year. None has been this good. Since you can't play them all, one plan here would be to play Bode with a bunch in the overnight Oaks double, then forget him Saturday.

7. Rousing Sermon, 50-1: Pass the hat.

8. Creative Cause, 12-1: Here's something interesting. Creative Cause, at 12-1, beat Bodemeister, at 4-1, and made him apologize for thinking he could win as he pulled away at the end.

9. Trinniberg, 50-1: Get the oxygen.

10. Daddy Nose Best, 15-1: Victory in the sticks impressed somebody.

11. Alpha, 15-1: Wasn't quite quick enough to get away from a first-turn mob scene in New York.

12. Prospective, 30-1: Covered the owners with great seats.

13. Went the Day Well, 20-1: Note the language, obviously from England.

14. Hansen, 10-1: No painted tail games this time. Pin the tail on the owner wouldn't be a bad one.

15. Gemologist, 6-1: Has been criticized for not winning them all by enough lengths or speed points.

16. El Padrino, 20-1: Rare triple-figure Beyer.

17. Done Talking, 50-1: Not as lousy as the odds suggest.

18. Sabercat, 30-1: Owners have closer parking.

19. I'll Have Another, 12-1: Make it a double.

20. Liason, 50-1: Where has everybody gone?

Picks
1. Union Rags
2. Creative Cause
3. Gemologist
4. El Padrino

[wayne1218]

The New York Times: 1) Union Rags 2) Creative Cause 3) Went the Day Well
Joe Drape, the Times' racing writer who's accurately picked the winners of at least the last two Derbys, writes that Union Rags "looks like a star." Drape ranks odds-on favorite Bodemeister fifth, noting he'll keep the all-white horse Hansen "company up front." Given the possibility of rain Saturday, it's worth highlighting that El Padrino, who Drape ranks 16th, is a mudder.


The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Ky.): 1) Union Rags 2) Creative Cause 3) Gemologist
The Derby's hometown newspaper compiled a power ranking of picks from seven horse racing journalists and two Churchill Downs staffers, who also contributed to the racetrack's picks below. In addition to the power ranking, the paper lists picks from each of their contributors, who range from the Daily Racing Form to ESPN.com to the Courier-Journal's racing writer.


New York Daily News: 1) Union Rags 2) Bodemeister 3) Daddy Nose Best
The tabloid's handicapper, Jerry Bossert, called one of Union Rags' workouts last weekend "dazzling." He similarly noted that Bodemeister "breezed" through five furlongs at Churchill Downs Sunday. But Bossert didn't jump on the Creative Cause bandwagon, placing him seventh and highlighting that he won't race Saturday in the headwear designed to focus a horse's eyesight known as "blinkers."


Churchill Downs: 1) Union Rags 2) Creative Cause 3) I'll Have Another
If the house always wins, why not take tips from people who work for the house? The racetrack's website polled four Churchill Downs staffers and two horse racing journalists for their top-10 picks days before Wednesday's post positions were announced. The combined results were posted in a power ranking

[wayne1218]

Eight things to know for the 138th Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs

(CBS News) With the first Saturday in May approaching at a steady trot, it's time for sports fans who only tune in to horse racing for the Triple Crown (this journalist included) to once again focus their attention toward the famous twin spires in Louisville, Ky., for the Kentucky Derby.


Before pulling your Derby hat or seersucker suit out of the closet for a viewing party Saturday, check out our handy cheat sheet to make some small talk about the 138th Run for the Roses.


Kentucky Derby: Bodemeister is early 4-1 favorite
Night racing a hit, but not yet for Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby a rematch for top contenders



Who's the favorite to win?: Bodemeister was the odds-on favorite (4-1) in Thursday's morning line. Many experts chose other horses as their winning pick, notably Union Rags, whose 9-2 odds were just nosed out by Bodemeister. The odds will change constantly until just before the race. It's worth noting that Animal Kingdom won last year's Derby at 20-1 odds, and Super Saver crossed the finish line first in the 2010 Derby at 8-1 odds.


How many horses are in the race?: As of this writing, a field of 20 horses have been assigned post positions out of 21 entrants. Scratches aren't unheard of though. Should one occur, My Adonis is waiting in the wings to fill the empty starting gate.


When does the race start?: Post time is 6:24 p.m. ET. The race should start soon after that.


What's the weather forecast?: Not ideal. According to the National Weather Service, the forecast for Louisville calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms with a 40 percent chance of precipitation during the day, improving to isolated showers and thunderstorms with a 20 percent chance of rain at night. Two years ago, a bad forecast prompted Churchill Downs to consider running the Derby under then-newly installed lights for the first time in its history.


Who's singing the national anthem?: Mary J. Blige is expected to sing the anthem around 5:10 p.m. ET after the last race before the Derby, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic.



Mary J. Blige to sing at the Kentucky Derby


What's that other song played?: Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" is traditionally played by the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band as the horses are led to the starting gate. Scroll down for lyrics.


What's in a mint julep?: The traditional Derby drink contains bourbon, mint and simple syrup plus some other ingredients depending on the recipe. Click below for recipes from the CBSNews.com archives.


Bobby Flay's mint julep
It's derby time: How to make mint juleps


Who was the last horse to win the Triple Crown?: In 1978, Affirmed was the last horse crowned with victories from the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore and the Belmont Stakes in New York. In 2008, Big Brown came close to winning the crown, entering the Belmont with wins from the previous two legs, but he lost to Da' Tara.

[wayne1218]

Expert Picks

Power Ranking

We’ve tallied the picks from all of our experts into a single Power Ranking. See what each expert thinks in their individual picks below.

1.Union Rags
2.Creative Cause
3.I'll Have Another
4.Gemologist1.Hansen1.Grace Hall
2.On Fire Baby
3.Eden's Moon
4.Believe You Can
5.Broadway's Alibi

.John Asher
After covering his first Kentucky Derby as a radio journalist in 1982, John Asher has not missed the “Run for the Roses” since that debut. He joined Churchill Downs in 1997 as a publicist and racing analyst, and moved to his current role as vice president of Racing Communications two years later. Before his arrival at Churchill Downs, Asher earned five media Eclipse Awards for Outstanding National Radio Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing at Louisville radio stations WHAS and WAVG. He served as Churchill Downs’ on-air TV host and analyst when the track was honored with the inaugural “National Simulcast Award” in 1997.
Derby
1.Union Rags
2.Creative Cause
3.Take Charge Indy
4.Daddy Nose Best
5.Went The Day Well
6.Dullahan
7.Prospective
8.Hansen
9.Bodemeister
10.I'll Have Another
Oaks
1.On Fire Baby
2.And Why Not
3.Grace Hall
4.Summer Applause
5.Believe You Can
6.Karlovy Vary
7.Amie's Dini
8.Eden's Moon
9.Broadway's Alibi
10.Jemima's Pearl

.Jill Byrne
Jill is the Director of On Air Communications and official handicapper at Churchill Downs. She is a regular contributor to HRTV's racing programs, Pursuit of the Crown and Pursuit of the Cup and along with her on-air skills and top-notch racing analysis, Byrne is an accomplished horsewoman who worked in the development of 1997 Horse of the Year and juvenile champion Favorite Trick and Countess Diana, that year’s champion 2-year-old filly. She was also involved in the campaign of Awesome Again who defeated 1997 Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Silver Charm to win the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Churchill Downs in 1998.
Derby
1.I'll Have Another
2.Union Rags
3.Gemologist
4.Take Charge Indy
5.Creative Cause
6.Daddy Nose Best
7.Bodemeister
8.Dullahan
9.Went The Day Well
10.Sabercat
Oaks
1.Eden's Moon
2.Grace Hall
3.Broadway's Alibi
4.Believe You Can
5.On Fire Baby
6.And Why Not
7.Summer Applause
8.Jemima's Pearl
9.Karlovy Vary
10.Hard Not To Like

.Ed DeRosa
Ed DeRosa is director of marketing for Brisnet.com, the official data source of the Kentucky Derby and TwinSpires.com. Ed joined Brisnet.com in July 2011 following nine years as a writer and editor with Thoroughbred Times. He grew up in Cleveland and learned to love horse racing while going to Thistledown with his grandfather. Ed is a diehard Indians fan, leaving him to wonder which--if either--will come first: A Triple Crown winner or an Indians world championship. Ed's favorite horses are Real Quiet, Ghostzapper, and Rachel Alexandra.
Derby
1.Hansen
2.I'll Have Another
3.Creative Cause
4.Take Charge Indy
5.Union Rags
6.Rousing Sermon
7.Went The Day Well
8.Sabercat
9.Prospective
10.Trinniberg
Oaks
1.Believe You Can
2.Broadway's Alibi
3.Summer Applause
4.On Fire Baby
5.Grace Hall
6.Eden's Moon
7.Jemima's Pearl
8.Amie's Dini
9.Karlovy Vary
10.Hard Not To Like

.James Scully
James Scully is editor of the Handicapper’s Edge and Bloodstock Journal daily newsletters at brisnet.com and was a panelist on the “Breeders’ Cup Handicapping Summit” at Churchill Downs in 2010. A lifelong University of Kentucky fan, James attended his first Kentucky Derby in 1981 (Pleasant Colony).
Derby
1.I'll Have Another
2.Creative Cause
3.Union Rags
4.Hansen
5.Gemologist
6.Bodemeister
7.Daddy Nose Best
8.Dullahan
9.Alpha
10.Take Charge Indy
Oaks
1.Believe You Can
2.Summer Applause
3.Grace Hall
4.And Why Not
5.On Fire Baby
6.Jemima's Pearl
7.Karlovy Vary
8.Eden's Moon
9.Broadway's Alibi
10.Hard Not To Like

.Merv Huber
Merv Huber joined Churchill Downs in 2005 as part of the communications team and currently holds the title of Brand Development & Licensing Manager. An avid handicapper, Merv became captivated by Thoroughbred racing in 1997 after attending a Kentucky Derby Party and selecting the race winner, Silver Charm. At the age of 13, Merv won the Road to the Roses Fantasy Challenge, besting over 13,000 handicappers in the nationwide contest. Before moving into the Churchill Downs general offices, Merv spent four years working in the stables for several top racing outfits. He now appears regularly alongside one of his mentors, Jill Byrne, on the Churchill Downs Today handicapping show and provides selections in the Churchill Downs raceday program.
Derby
1.Gemologist
2.Dullahan
3.Creative Cause
4.Union Rags
5.Bodemeister
6.Daddy Nose Best
7.I'll Have Another
8.Hansen
9.Daddy Long Legs
10.Take Charge Indy
Oaks
1.On Fire Baby
2.Broadway's Alibi
3.Grace Hall
4.Eden's Moon
5.Summer Applause
6.Believe You Can
7.Karlovy Vary
8.Oaks Lily
9.Amie's Dini
10.And Why Not

.Caroline Kamer
Horses have always been an instrumental part of Caroline’s life. She has had a passion for riding since she was five years old and has won two World’s Championship titles. Caroline instantly fell in love with horse racing when she locked her eyes on the striking gunmetal gray Kentucky Derby winner, Silver Charm. Since that moment she has become an avid horse racing fan that has a true respect for the Thoroughbred horse. Caroline currently holds the position of Brand Development & Marketing Coordinator at Churchill Downs Race Track.
Derby
1.Union Rags
2.Gemologist
3.Dullahan
4.I'll Have Another
5.Creative Cause
6.Hansen
7.Daddy Nose Best
8.Take Charge Indy
9.Bodemeister
10.Alpha
Oaks
1.On Fire Baby
2.Broadway's Alibi
3.Grace Hall
4.Eden's Moon
5.And Why Not
6.Believe You Can
7.Hard Not To Like
8.Amie's Dini
9.Jemima's Pearl
10.Summer Applause
.

[wayne1218]

Horse Racing Nation picks the 2012 Kentucky Derby

In a fearless display of handicapping prowess, many of the best and brightest of Horse Racing Nation have decided to lay their reputations on the line and try not only to pick the winner of the 2012 Kentucky Derby, but also nail down the entire superfecta of one of the most difficult races to handicap since the first Saturday of last May. Surely the old axiom, 18 heads are better than one, is in play here, so the consensus selections should offer some solid information for anyone with the willingness to listen. Before the race even begins, I believe these selections will answer the question which horse will be favored, as somewhat surprisingly nearly half of the group tabbed Union Rags as their overall top pick, while not a single voter went for Bodemeister in that spot. Without further ado, here is how Horse Racing Nation sees the Kentucky Derby …





… Leaving us with the consensus Top 5 of:



1. Union Rags

2. Gemologist

3. Dullahan

4. Creative Cause

5. Daddy Nose Best

[wayne1218]

The 138th Kentucky Derby promises to be a wide-open race, and Sporting News contributing horse racing writer Brad Telias offers his five picks for the race.

1. Union Rags is king of all he surveys and has the look of eagles. He’s shown an ability to get himself out of trouble with his quick turn of foot, and he’ll have 1¼ miles to do it this time.

2. Gemologist is the undefeated gritty Wood Memorial winner and still, somehow, under the radar. He looks like a Derby horse in every way.

3. Dullahan has that great finishing kick and will take advantage of a possible fast pace. He’s trained by local Dale Romans. Forget about the doubts about his abilities on dirt. He loves Churchill dirt.

4. I’ll Have Another will give you a good price from his outside post, but lots of horses have won the Derby from an outside post. He’s had an energetic presence all week.

5. El Padrino is a laid-back dude, a longshot chance that fell off the picks list quickly over one race, the Florida Derby. He’ll love 1¼ miles.