It's Kentucky Derby Time

 We have waded through all of the preps. It is time. KD 148 day.

Churchill Downs Race 12 {Kentucky Derby~G1~1 1/4 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A full field of twenty combatants will enter the gate in the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Past Performances used:  DRF Classic.

This is the most competitive field in a number of years. Any one of these lads could pull off the victory. There is plenty of speed to keep the pace humming and give those coming from off the pace a chance to hit the wire first. Speed numbers are fairly close with a number in this robust field ready for large improvement. Two millionaires show up in the race. It will be one of the most exciting Kentucky Derby's in a number of years.

#3 Epicenter (Rosario / Asmussen) is one of the deserved favorites with the highest (tie) last out speed numbers and three strong peaking workouts. He should race close to the pace, ready for battle on the front end heading into the stretch. This guy has a win at this approximate distance. A son of Not This Time, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#7 Crown Pride [JPN] (LeMaire / Seemer) has prepped better than any of these quality horses after arriving from Dubai, UAE. Winner of the UAE Derby he comes in with improving speed figs and five superlative workouts including two half mile bullets. This guy can be expected to track the pace closely. A son of Reach the Crown, he is 75% in the money from four career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#6 Messier (J. Velazquez / Yakteen) this former Bob Baffert charge is rounding into form nicely. He holds the second highest last out speed number and two strong workouts. He could be part of the pace scenario with a good break from the gate. A son of Empire Maker, he is 100% in the money from six career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#10 Zandon (Prat / C. Brown) is a closer that deserves to be the morning line favorite. He comes in with the third highest last out speed fig and two dynamite workouts. This colt will be desirous of a frothy pace. A son of Upstart, he is 100% in the money from four career starts.

#1 Mo Donegal (I. Ortiz / Pletcher) is another seeking a heated pace to make the charge in the stretch. He holds the fourth highest last out (tie) speed number and two sound workouts. A son of Uncle Mo, he is 100% in the money from five career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($4.00)

#3 Epicenter  //  #7 Crown Pride [JPN],  #6 Messier,  #10 Zandon,  #1 Mo Donegal.

50 CENT Trifecta Box ($3.00)

#3 Epicenter  +  #7 Crown Pride [JPN]  +  #6 Messier.

50 CENT Trifecta Straight ($1.50)

#3 Epicenter  /  #7 Crown Pride [JPN]  /  #6 Messier,  #10 Zandon,  #1 Mo Donegal.

$1 Superfecta Straight ($2.00)

#3 Epicenter  /  #7 Crown Pride [JPN]  /  #6 Messier  /  #10 Zandon,  #1 Mo Donegal.

$1 Pentafecta Straight ($1.00)

#3 Epicenter  /  #7 Crown Pride [JPN]  /  #6 Messier  /  #10 Zandon  /  #1 Mo Donegal.

Best of luck to all. Be sure to include some of the long shots in your exotic plays as this Derby has a deep and talented field. Cheers!!!!

Kentucky Derby 145 Notable Nine

On this the first Saturday in May we look at the greatest two minutes in sports, The 145th running of the KENTUCKY DERBY.

Churchill Downs Race 12 {KENTUCKY DERBY~G1~1 1/4 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A smashing field of nineteen will go the gate this afternoon (6:50 pm EDT) to compete in the greatest horse race in the world. The pace will be fast. The speed numbers are fairly close which makes this the most competitive Kentucky Derby in recent memory. There are already two millionaires in the field, Game Winner and Plus Que Parfait, both bred to relish this distance. The program numbers remain the same, but with the scratch of Derby favorite, Omaha Beach and Haikal, the post positions have changed somewhat.  Wager and watch what will be the absolute best race of the year.

#16 Game Winner (Rosario / Baffert) has been peaked for this race by his connections as he will make his third start in the form cycle. He holds the second highest (tie) last out speed number and has put in two stamina producing workouts in preparation. A son of Candy Ride [ARG], he should be tracking the pace closely. The juvenile champ is ready to conquer this field over the track he was crowned as such.
$2 WIN  /  $3 SHOW  /  $5 PLACE

#1 War of Will (Gaffalione / M. Casse) has the best pedigree to get this distance. His chances have greatly improved since the scratch of Haikal as he will launch out of post position two and not the dreaded post position one. It is possible for him to wire this field just as Serengetti Empress did in yesterday's Kentucky Oaks. His connections have already indicated he will use his speed from the gate. This colt did not fair well in his last race, but has put together the best workout tab of any in this field, stringing together four powerful peaking workouts. A son of War Front, do not underestimate his talent.
$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#8 Tacitus (J. Ortiz / Mott) should challenge from a great post position. This lad shares the second highest last out speed number combined with two hearty workouts. He comes into KD145 on a three race winning streak. This colt has improved in each race run and should continue to do so. A son of Tapit, he will be tracking the pace looking for openings to move through the pack.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#7 Maximum Security (L. Saez / Ja. Servis) will contend. As of this writing he is the favorite at 9-2 among the current wagers. The winner of the Florida Derby, he should be forwardly placed. Undefeated in his four career races, this guy could do it for the same ownership that owns our top selection. A son of New Year's Day, this guy has put in three quality workouts prepping for this Derby.

#5 Improbable (I. Ortiz / Baffert) should be in the mix with the highest last out speed number and three hearty workouts. He has been victorious over the Churchill track. A son of City Zip, he should be running close to the pace ready to strike in the long stretch.

#9 Plus Que Parfait (Santana / B. Walsh) has the stamina for this distance. While there are those that do not give much weight to the winner of the UAE Derby in Dubai, this guy is different. He is 100% in the money over the Churchill track from two starts. Should the pace get a little frothy, this guy will be running late. A son of Point of Entry, he is what the Brits like to call a "stayer".

#6 Vekoma (Castellano / Weaver) is another that is 100% in the money from four career starts. He holds some excellent last out speed numbers and two robust workouts. This lad should be sitting in the mid-pack with so many others looking for holes to shoot through. Another son of Candy Ride [ARG], he won the Bluegrass Stakes last time out.

#13 Code of Honor (J. Velazquez / McGaughey) will be closing gamely into a strong pace. This colt holds the second highest (tie) overall speed number and has put in three solid peaking workouts in preparation for the big dance. A son of Noble Mission [GB], he is 80% in the money from five career starts.

#20 Country House (Prat / Mott) is another closer that has a chance to break into the exotics. He has improved with every race run and has put in two superb workouts in preparation. A son of Lookin at Lucky, he could surprise.

Exotic Plays

50 CENT TRIFECTA;  #16 Game Winner  /  #1 War of Will, #8 Tacitus  /  #7 Maximum Security, #5 Improbable, #9 Plus Que Parfait, #6 Vekoma, #13 Code of Honor, #20 Country House. ($6.00 wager).

$1 SUPERFECTA:  #16 Game Winner  /  #1 War of Will  /  #8 Tacitus  /  #7 Maximum Security, #5 Improbable, #9 Plus Que Parfait, #6 Vekoma,  #13 Code of Honor,  #20 Country House.  ($6.00 wager)

$1 SUPER HI-FIVE:  #16 Game Winner  /  #1 War of Will  /  #8 Tacitus  /  #7 Maximum Security  /  #5 Improbable, #9 Plus Que Parfait, #13 Code of Honor, #20 Country House.  ($5.00 wager).

$1 EXACTA Wheel  #16 Game Winner /  #1, #8, #7, #5, #9, #6, #13, #20.  ($8.00 wager).




Last Superfecta Sunday (4/28) Results
Lone Star Park R7.  Steve Sexton Mile.  We just missed on our 10 CENT Superfecta box effort, capturing three of the four wagering interests required to cash. Superfecta went 9-4-1-6.
Our Bronze Horseshoe selection, Forevamo, finished 7th.
Bankroll drops to $53.26.