So I was wrong yesterday with Swiss Skydiver. But I wasn't really wrong because she beat the favorite, Gamine. Shedaresthedevil just had the race of her life and ran the 1 1/8 mile faster than any horse in the history of the Oaks. It was truly unbelievable. Hats off to the Shedaresthedevil group but I still think Swiss Skydiver is the horse of the year. It was a great day of races yesterday.
But today is something else.
Today is the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby. Usually reserved for the first Saturday in May, and a telltale sign that spring has sprung, this year we have the fortune of enjoying what is possibly the world's most prestigious sporting event in September. This year it's not football, but horse racing that will transition us from Summer to Fall. What better way to kickstart your Labor Day weekend than with a victory at Churchill Downs. Here's how we're going to do it:
Win early, Win often.
The Derby isn't the only Stakes race today. In fact we have races at Churchill Downs AND Saratoga on Derby Day for the first time ever (probably).
Without much fanfare, here's who looks good in some of the earlier races:
American Turf Stakes - Churchill Downs - Grade II Stakes - 8 1/2 furlongs - Post Time: 2:55 pm
4 - Field Pass (2-1) 4 wins in last 6 times out. 102 speed figure last time out.
5 - Smooth Like Strait (8-5) First, First, Second in last three races. Early pace setter.
2 - American Butterfly (12-1) American Pharoah blood in the veins. Finished in the money in 7 of 8 races this year. Might have fatigue from overracing.
My Bet: 2 (American Butterfly) Across The Board
Pat Day Mile Stakes - Churchill Downs - Grade II Stakes - 8 furlongs - Post Time 3:35 pm
2 - Echo Town (9-2) Finished in the money in all 7 races this year, including 4 wins.
6 - Tap It To Win (4-1) Tapit offspring with 2 wins and a second in four attempts this year.
Note: The favorite, Cezanne, (a Bob Baffert horse) scratched.
My Bet: 6 (Tap It To Win) Place/Show
Iroquois Stakes - Churchill Downs - Grade III Stakes - 8 furlongs - Post Time 4:07 pm
7 - Pico d'Oro (5-1) Curlin bred. Javier riding. Won his last race on 8/9 at Ellis Park.
1 - Drop Anchor (15-1) After losing out on the Oaks yesterday, Kenneth McPeek might find redemption in the Iroquois with Drop Anchor.
My Bet: 1 (Drop Anchor) Win/Place
Official Derby Preview to come. Make money early so you can win even bigger in the big race.
Commentaires