This is one tough Kentucky Derby to figure out, sort of like 2009. And there’s a good chance of rain on Saturday for the 137th edition. Remember over the past three decades only four favorites have won — all in the 21st Century. Big Brown was the last in ’08; Street Sense,’07; Smarty Jones, ’04; [...]

If you’re thinking about the horse-for-the-course angle in the Kentucky Derby, better have something more in your handicapping toolbox.   More than two dozen horses that previously won as a 2-year-old at Churchill Downs failed in the Derby. The average finish of about 50 runners with at least one race on the main track was off [...]

If you have heard of the “Dosage Figure” and wondered what it was all about…..Here is the dope. Or, the math that will make your head hurt. But, we are going to break it down, and you should follow with an open mind. Dr. Steven Roman figured a way to assign certain stallions a numerical figure [...]

This year, there will be five new kids on the block. It will not be the usual faces, and for the game that is a good thing. Now on deck, we will have some new batters. They are: Anna “Rosie” Napravnik – She was the first lady rider to win the Louisiana Derby, and also [...]

Scores of upsets in major preps and injuries have muddled my Top 10 Kentucky Derby contenders. But here’s my final list from the bottom to the top: Stay Thirsty: Although the son of Bernardini ran poorly in the Florida Derby, he did defeat Wood Memorial victor Toby’s Corner in the Gotham. On April 24, he [...]

There have been more jinxes associated with the Kentucky Derby than I care to recall. But there have been memorable curses snapped during the 21st Century worth mentioning. One of the more discussed horse jinxes ended in 2007 when Street Sense became the first 2-year-old champion to capture the Derby since Spectacular Bid in ’79. [...]

This week we will begin to hear all sorts of Derby info. Some will be good and some will be disappointing. It happens each year, and this one should be no different. Where there were yearlings romping in fields a few years ago, there were great hopes on many farms. As the managers watched with [...]

Upsets galore in the major preps have played havoc with my Top 10 Kentucky Derby contenders. You can count the number of favorites that scored in key preps on one hand. How the 3-year-olds work at Churchill Downs before the first Saturday in May will determine my final standings from the bottom to the top: [...]

I am really starting to put things together in my noggin about what my tickets will look like. You will start hearing all sorts of  “ins and outs.” Rosie will be the first woman in the Derby since Rosemary, and Shane Sellers may make it back to the spotlight if Twinspired gets in. This is better [...]

After the Toyota Bluegrass and the Arkansas Derby, I have come out with a few thoughts. With all due respect; you can keep Santiva, Brilliant Speed, Uncle Mo, Elite Alex, Anthony’s Cross, Silver Medallion, Sway Away, The Factor, Comma to the Top, and Pants on Fire. Some won’t have enough earnings, and this is the [...]