Sports fans eagerly await the Kentucky Derby. And 4 preps are this weekend. So we can post our pix.
As far as being Derby prepes, these 1 1/16 mile events will hide the best Derby contenders behind sprint winners. Derby horses to watch for will be more like Free Country than Friesan Fire.
So you think you can handicap? How about a real test on these 4 Derby prep races?
Post the program number, name of horse, and any comments:
REBEL at Oaklawn-Big Favorite is Old Fashioned, who'll be more like 2-5 than the realistic odds I'm posting: I'll try to beat him.
9. WIN WILLY 15-1-Has the best bloodlines in the race for derby distance, but this is only 1 1/16, but I would pick him over the favorite in a heartbeat if the race was longer.
1. OLD FASHIONED 6-5 Super classy.
6. HIS GREATNESS 3-1 the best horses run at Keeneland
7 CAPTAIN CHEROKEE 15-1 Asmussen trains hard, and he'll still be running good this month
8. Silver City 4-1 has speed to go a long way
2. Hamazing Destiny 30-1 doesn't have great times, but has a top trainer and bloodlines.
5. Wise Kid 30-1 could close some ground
3. Poltergeist 30-1 faded at a grade 3 mile here, and needs to improve
4. Pointing Home 30-1 has sprint breeding from sire, and distance from the dam. He came along slowly to get into good form, but loses a trainer, steps up in class, and began a long career in May of a 2 year old season. Not good signs.
San Felipe:
4. SHAFTED 6-1 best bred in the race, although Casse underachieves a lot. Will take at nice odds
2. PIONEER OF THE NILE 4-5 the class here, and obvious choice for most. The top two are well above the others
5. JERANIMO 12-1 looks a bit better than most others
7. NEW BAY 8-1 is solid in a weak field for a Grade 2.
6. Kelly Leak 4-1 closed ground against weaker, and could easily get in the money
1. He's Really Big 20-1 looks outguned, so trainer must have him on the top of his game to look for a minor check. Wouldn't leave him off the tri or super
3. Feisty Suances 20-1 looks outmatched, and fades against weaker.
Louisiana Derby:
1. FREE COUNTRY 8-1 has the best bloodlines by far, especially for Derby distance. This is only 1 1/16, but his forward move puts him as the one to beat. It'll be close in a super balanced field
6. GIANT OAK 8-1 Has stamina on sire's side, and speed on the dam's side, which is usually the best formula. Solid
4. TERRAIN 8-1 coming off layoff, he figures to be all or nothing. I wouldn't put him in 3rd or 4th in a trifecta or superfecta in a lot of tickets, only in general wheels. Could be a gangbuster or need another race
2. SOUL WARRIOR 4-1 Slight chalk in maybe the most balanced field of these four. Asmussen does great in March
3. Patena 8-1 is stakes placed, and has the sprint bloodlines from sire, and stamina from the dam. Woodbine runners haven't fared well in the recent years, but are doing better this season
9. Friesan Fire 8-1 won the grade 3 prep to this, and appears about even with a few others from that race
7. Uno Mas 8-1 figures to do his best in March under Asmussen
8. Papa Clem 8-1 is lightly raced, and comes from Santa Anita. He could surprise, but looks midpack
5 Flying Pegasus 8-1 is bred for speed, and will appreciate this distance as close to his max.
10. Nowhere to Hide 8-1 Zito maybe one of the best trainers, and this one is well bred, but hard to endorse off of times and form. In this race, anyone could surprise, however. Wide open
Tampa Bay Derby
4. HELLO BROADWAY 5-2 Strong bloodlines, good form, a good trainer, and constantly there in graded stakes. Obvious pick in a less than stellar field
6. SUMOR 8-1 has a good running style, and my pick to get second
7. JOIN IN THE DANCE 12-1 Pletcher, like Asmussen, does well this time of year
5. WARRIOR'S REWARD 12-1 is lightly raced, which is good, despite the hype. And he has good form. Could surprise
2. Musket Man 8-1 is about even with others from the gade 3 prep
8. General's Quarters 3-1 won the grade 3 prep, but is a bit cheap for this
3. Nowhere To Hide 15-1 Zito again, who can get improvement from his runners. Could be dangerous at long odds.
9. Bear's Rocket 15-1 came from Woodbine to run 2nd in tough Grade 3 at Gulgstream
10. Justdontcallmejeri 15-1 Comes out of Santa Anita off good but cheap races. Would be a surprise
11. Top Seed 30-1 needs to show more
1. Perfect Bull 30-1 Turf runner already has 10 lifetime starts. Way too many at this age. Will be lucky to run a few more
Post your picks before post time to be counted. I'll give scores. I'm scoring placement of first for 10, 2nd for 6, 3rd for 4, 4th for 2, and fifth for 1. Where your top pick comes in will be multiplied by 5, your 2nd pick by 4, your third pick by 2, and your fourth pick by 1.
Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time 
that's not funny!
Keywords: Derby prep races: Rebel Stakes: San Felipe: Louisiana Derby: Tampa Bay Derby: Handicapping contest:
