Archive for April, 2010

Deja-Vu?

by Ed Meyer

posted on April 25, 2010 in General Discussion, Kentucky Derby | 4 Comments >>

Today was opening day at Churchill Downs. It was raining, and the track was sloppy as 2010 kicked off. As Turfway is the night racing track, and Keeneland is the pristine jewel of the Bluegrass, Churchill is the blue collar place that transforms the game into where history is made, and legends are written. I won’t […]

Times Are A-Changing

by Ed Meyer

posted on April 25, 2010 in General Discussion | No Comments >>

Every circuit has a historic oval. In Lexington, it is the pristine Keeneland. Louisville belongs to the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. As you make your way into the track, you will find it right in the middle of a residential area that looks as if a giant crane picked up a race track and dropped […]

How Much Is Too Much?

by Ed Meyer

posted on April 23, 2010 in General Discussion, Kentucky Derby | No Comments >>

To see a runner finish up strong in their last prep has always been a sign I have looked for. I think it shows a colt’s ability to get a little better each and every time out. That is, until now….. I was reading a little stat, and I found it quite interesting.  Since 1991, […]

Tough Repeat [Free Selections]

by Ed Meyer

posted on April 23, 2010 in Free Picks and Tips, Other Events | No Comments >>

The Derby Trial is upon us. This is the last ditch effort for runners hoping to build a bankroll to get into the Derby with graded monies. This is possible, and anything is… But, this race has not produced a winner since Tim Tam in 1958. The winner of this race has gone on to […]

Derby Dance

by Ed Meyer

posted on April 23, 2010 in General Discussion, Kentucky Derby | No Comments >>

The time has arrived. You can say it is like a poker game, or a rope-a-dope boxing maneuver. When you hear trainers praising the works and deeds of another, well, that is where the music begins. Todd Pletcher has Eskendereya primed and ready. The works have not been stellar, and you must get a work […]

Last Chance [Free Selections]

by Ed Meyer

posted on April 23, 2010 in Free Picks and Tips | No Comments >>

Funny how 15 days flies by so quickly. I look forward to Keeneland all winter, and in a blink of an eye, it is gone. I was down there the other day, and was already thinking about watching the horses run in the cool crisp air of fall. Oh, the beauty. Oh, the pageantry… Many […]

Trial Stakes Could Produce Starter or Two in Derby

by Greg Melikov

posted on April 22, 2010 in General Discussion, Kentucky Derby, Other Events | No Comments >>

The Derby Trial Stakes got off to a rousing start in 1924, when Black Gold cruised home to an eight-length victory. Four days later, the son of Black Toney was favored to take the 50th Kentucky Derby. It was a rough trip on that May 3: Black Gold broke alertly from the inside post, tracked […]

Winning Derby Favorites: It’s an On-and-Off Cycle

by Greg Melikov

posted on April 21, 2010 in General Discussion, Handicapping, Kentucky Derby | No Comments >>

The Kentucky Derby isn’t the easiest race to handicap. The trend of winning favorites has been an off-and-on phenomenon dating back to the 1880s, when only two scored. Six won during the following decade. You get the idea. Four favorites scored in the ’30s and ’40s, including one of the two lowest odds-on choices in […]

Troubled Times

by Ed Meyer

posted on April 21, 2010 in General Discussion | 2 Comments >>

I have the opportunity to work at an oval that holds small claiming races. We have Ohio stakes, and many allowance races as well…. It is a quaint little oval where beauty takes you back to the days of old. As if not having any alternative gaming is enough, we have a dispute with horsemen. […]

International

by Ed Meyer

posted on April 21, 2010 in Breeders Cup, General Discussion | No Comments >>

A gent stopped by my office yesterday, and we talked about his California homeland and how racing is in bad shape. I asked, if this is true, why do they want the Breeders’ Cup?  He really had no explanation, and then I gave him something to chew on for the future. How about making this […]