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I love horse racing, plain and simple. Every year when I was growing up my parents would wait for that beautiful day in late May or June and when my brother and I were walking out the door for school would tell us to come back inside for a "holiday" to gorgeous Monmouth Park. No offense to Saratoga which I visit every year. I have never been to Del Mar and I've heard that is right up there and although I might be a little biased living in Jersey, I love going to Oceanport, New Jersey in the summertime.
Here is my view of the horses of the Kentucky Derby.
Remember that any horse can win on any given day and I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, this is more of a hobby of mine. Plus I live 5 minutes from the Big M in East Rutherford where they simulcast anything.
Limehouse: Is 2 for 2 at Churchill downs which is a plus, however, I feel he may be to close to the pace up front and Pat Day decided not to ride him.
Song of the Sword: No graded stakes wins, don't think he can get the distance.
Lion Heart: Tough to win the Derby on the lead unless you're unchallenged, might have too much company up there.
Action This Day: Won the BC Juvenile last year and hasn't done much this year, could be flying late.
Wimbledon: Switch to Bailey is a huge improvement, his racing company just doesn't impress me.
Friends Lake: Won the Florida Derby at a huge price, would have liked to have seen another race before Saturday. Nice Price.
Minister Eric: pat Day's choice so I respect that. 2nd in the BC Juvy, but was still running against NW1 company.
Master David: Love the connections, just seems to like being the bridesmaid in the big races.
St Averil: Too much speed, won't have anything left when the real running starts.
Imperialism: Slow pace in the Santa Anita Derby plus went up the wood and got caught in traffic. Like the rider switch.
The Cliff's Edge: 2 for 2 at Churchill, the "now" horse. Zito, Sellers, ran a huge race against a speed favoring Keeneland surface in the Blue Grass. Big Beyer number, just watch out for a bounce.
Borrego: No graded stakes wins, might get a minor award.
Birdstone: Uncoupled Zito "second stringer" can run all day especially if wet.
Read the Footnotes: Bailey jumped off, wilted going long in the Fla. Derby, too much speed, pedigree suggests a fold job in the stretch.
Smarty Jones: NY bred won last year, why not a PA bred this year. Seems trainer went out of his way to avoid the Big Boys on the East Coast, plus undefeated and first time lasix. Still bullets in the A.M. might suggest at the top of his game.
Castledale: Mom always bet the Irish horses, have to include him just for that reason.
Pollard's Vision: Nice story here, named after the Biscuits jockey, Sprinters pedigree, might wilt in the stretch.
Pro Prado: Couldn't beat Smarty Jones.
Quinton's Gold Rush: Bailey off, again too much speed plus way on the outside.
Leaves me with:
Tapit: Love the trainer; Dickinson, really hot jock; Dominguez. He's got a graded stakes win as a 2 year old, was thrown to the wolves in his 3 year old debut in the Fla derby. Won the Wood after breaking last quite easily. Although there is no triple Beyer figure to his credit, I think that plays right into his game. I think he's sitting on the biggest race of his career. A repeat of the Wood and he gets his picture taken.
Again, please do not let me change your mind as to whom you were playing, these are just my ramblings and feelings and I wish all, the best of luck with their selections.
Thanks Mom and Dad for showing me how to enjoy the simple things in life. R.I.P.
Good Luck
Phil
Here is my view of the horses of the Kentucky Derby.
Remember that any horse can win on any given day and I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, this is more of a hobby of mine. Plus I live 5 minutes from the Big M in East Rutherford where they simulcast anything.
Limehouse: Is 2 for 2 at Churchill downs which is a plus, however, I feel he may be to close to the pace up front and Pat Day decided not to ride him.
Song of the Sword: No graded stakes wins, don't think he can get the distance.
Lion Heart: Tough to win the Derby on the lead unless you're unchallenged, might have too much company up there.
Action This Day: Won the BC Juvenile last year and hasn't done much this year, could be flying late.
Wimbledon: Switch to Bailey is a huge improvement, his racing company just doesn't impress me.
Friends Lake: Won the Florida Derby at a huge price, would have liked to have seen another race before Saturday. Nice Price.
Minister Eric: pat Day's choice so I respect that. 2nd in the BC Juvy, but was still running against NW1 company.
Master David: Love the connections, just seems to like being the bridesmaid in the big races.
St Averil: Too much speed, won't have anything left when the real running starts.
Imperialism: Slow pace in the Santa Anita Derby plus went up the wood and got caught in traffic. Like the rider switch.
The Cliff's Edge: 2 for 2 at Churchill, the "now" horse. Zito, Sellers, ran a huge race against a speed favoring Keeneland surface in the Blue Grass. Big Beyer number, just watch out for a bounce.
Borrego: No graded stakes wins, might get a minor award.
Birdstone: Uncoupled Zito "second stringer" can run all day especially if wet.
Read the Footnotes: Bailey jumped off, wilted going long in the Fla. Derby, too much speed, pedigree suggests a fold job in the stretch.
Smarty Jones: NY bred won last year, why not a PA bred this year. Seems trainer went out of his way to avoid the Big Boys on the East Coast, plus undefeated and first time lasix. Still bullets in the A.M. might suggest at the top of his game.
Castledale: Mom always bet the Irish horses, have to include him just for that reason.
Pollard's Vision: Nice story here, named after the Biscuits jockey, Sprinters pedigree, might wilt in the stretch.
Pro Prado: Couldn't beat Smarty Jones.
Quinton's Gold Rush: Bailey off, again too much speed plus way on the outside.
Leaves me with:
Tapit: Love the trainer; Dickinson, really hot jock; Dominguez. He's got a graded stakes win as a 2 year old, was thrown to the wolves in his 3 year old debut in the Fla derby. Won the Wood after breaking last quite easily. Although there is no triple Beyer figure to his credit, I think that plays right into his game. I think he's sitting on the biggest race of his career. A repeat of the Wood and he gets his picture taken.
Again, please do not let me change your mind as to whom you were playing, these are just my ramblings and feelings and I wish all, the best of luck with their selections.
Thanks Mom and Dad for showing me how to enjoy the simple things in life. R.I.P.
Good Luck
Phil
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