Union Rags (#4) Leparoux / Matz (9-2)
I've been impressed with this son of Dixie Union since his authoritative victory in last Fall's Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park.... my "best bet" in last year's Breeder's Cup Juvenile he, endure a very wide trip and still finished gamely.... this year he had a brilliant return in the Fountain of Youth & troubled trip in the Florida Derby.... today he makes amends for that last start and duplicates what his former barn mate; Barbaro did six years ago.
Daddy Nose Best (#10) Gomez / Asmussen (15-1)
The most experienced colt in the field, he comes into the race off of a closing victory in the Sunland Derby earning a triple digit Beyer speed figure (100) only three other horse have this year.... considered by some as the "now" horse going into the race....training "lights out" at Churchill, he is a proven winner on all three surfaces (dirt, synthetic & turf).
Bodemeister (#6) Smith / Baffert (4-1)
The "new kid" on the block, this lightly raced son of Empire Maker became the "horse to beat" with his impressive victory in the Arkansas Derby.... with only four career starts and NOT raced as a two year old, he has a LOT to overcome in winning this race.... five year's ago, Curlin tried it & was NOT successful.... but became a champion horse after this race, remember this for down the road!
Gemologist (#15) Castellano / Pletcher (6-1)
This son of Tiznow is undefeated, a perfect 5 for 5 coming off a gutsy win in the Wood Memorial.... has the credentials to win this race, but will be tested today against the toughest field he has faced yet.... would be no surprise at a square price.
El Padrino (#16) Bejarano / Pletcher (20-1)
Kind of the forgotten horse after his dull effort in the Florida Derby with a non-threatening 4th last time out....winner of the Risen Star Stakes two starts back in a gutsy effort, I have a feeling that he'll bounce back good today and at a nice price!
Creative Cause (#8) Rosario / Harrington (12-1)
This gray son of Giant's Causeway has been a gem of consistency this year, narrowly missing last time out in the Santa Anita Derby.... raced with blinkers OFF last time out and raced an even 3rd over this strip last Fall behind my top pick.... love his 12-1 morning line odds & may get over looked in the wagering.
Alpha (#11) Maragh / McLaughlin (15-1)
Godolphin racing only Derby contender this year, he comes off a even 2nd behind Gemologist last time out in the Wood Memorial.... soon after had an infection that force him to ship late to Churchill.....nice workout in NY signals he's over that issue....this smallish colt always puts forward a good effort though.
Take Charge Indy (#3) Borel / Byrne (15-1)
Wire to wire winner of the Florida Derby last time out.... lightly raced this year, gets the "Derby" master in the reins and draws near the inside.... I have a feeling he'll be a pace factor along with all the other speed horses entered....question is how much he'll have left in the stretch drive?
Went the Day Well (#13) Velazquez / Motion (20-1)
This runner comes from the same connections who won this race last year and also took the same path getting here (Spiral Stakes victory at Turfway Park), the difference here is that this colt has had two victories over a dirt surface.....faces tougher competition today.
Dullahan (#5) Desormeaux / Romans (8-1)
Winner of the Blue Grass Stakes last time out at Keeneland on the polytrack surface.... mirrors another Romans runner from a few year's back named; Paddy O'Prado and like him, seems much suited for turf or synthetic surface.... may be a triple factor or superfecta play at best.
I'll Have Another (#19) Gutierrez / O'Neill (12-1)
Upset winner of the RB Lewis Stakes, two starts back at 43-1.... came right back to win the Santa Anita Derby by a nose.... jock's first Kentucky Derby & must negotiate far outside post..... it's been 15 years since the winner of the Santa Derby has won this race.
Hansen (#14) Dominguez / Maker (10-1)
This nearly white runner has been the darling of the racing world ever since his Breeder's Cup Juvenile victory last Fall here at Churchill Downs....a proven front runner, he'll mix it up with a lot of other speed today..... I question whether he'll get the mile and a quarter distance, STILL.
Sabercat (#18) Nakatani / Asmussen (30-1)
Oldest experience runner of the group with a debut last May as a two year old.... lightly raced this year and improved in his second start off the bench with a 3rd in the Arkansas Derby..... could spice up your exotic bets at a price!
Optimizer (#2) Court / Lukas (50-1)
Late addition to the field for Hall of Fame trainer; D.Wayne Lukas..... everything about this horse, screams out GRASS.... but, it is the master and could cluck up for a piece in the superfectas at a huge price..... other than that, not much to recommend!
Prospective (#12) Contreras / Casse (30-1)
Canadian based invader, won the Tampa Bay Derby two starts back & was no factor last time out on the polytrack at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes.... his race in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile last here was awful....don't know what to make of him today.
Daddy Long Legs (#1) O'Donoghue / O'Brien (30-1)
Won the UAE Derby on a synthetic surface in Dubai and shipped over for this..... his Breeder's Cup Juvenile race here wasn't good & draws the dreaded inside post today..... a non-factor for me on all levels.
Done Talking (#17) Russell / Smith (50-1)
Dead closer won at 12-1 versus a suspect field in the Illinois Derby, nice Mid Atlantic based colt seems to be a second tier runner and faces a tough group today.
Rousing Sermon (#7) Lezcano / Hollendorfer (50-1)
No factor 3rd in the Louisiana Derby, his two victories were against California breds.... "Derby fever" horse in my opinion.
Liaison (#20) Garcia / Baffert (50-1)
Shown nothing in his three starts this year.....draws "killer" post 20..... not sure why he is even in this race!
Trinniberg (#9) Martinez / Parboo (50-1)
This horse is a nice three year old sprinter...... SPRINTER!!!! it's very sad that he is even entered here.
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