The outcome of the 135th Kentucky Derby left many race fans shaking their heads. Lines were short at the mutuel windows following the race. Not much cashing going on.
I spoke with a few players that hit the Oaks / Woodford/ Derby Pick 3. The tactic was a single (Rachel Alexandra), single (Einstein), ALL. When asked if they had to take 17 horses in the Derby, would they still have cashed and the answer by all was NO.
I guess this is the ‘little horse that could.’ To me, 50-1 seems like an underlay. I am a small circuit player so I should be thrilled that a horse that couldn’t win at second tier Sunland won the biggest race in the world, completely destroying the field. I just cannot figure out how. Sure, the breeding suggested distance and slop ability. What about the other 18? They all either didn’t run a step, got nicked up, or totally regressed. There were at 13 horses that could have won and I would not have been surprised. This gelding was not in that group. I was simply wrong. So was Andy Beyer, and every other public handicapper that displayed his selections. I can only hope that Sunland Steve gave out the winner………Puzzling, but congrats to those that were able to make money. And they just ran the 3rd at Philly Park so the game goes on…..
There is no question who the star of Derby weekend is, she won the Oaks by 20 lengths- Rachel Alexandra – and never broke out of a gallop. As David Miller, whose View From The Quarter Pole blog is a must-read, said, “This is why we come to the racetrack.” This filly is so special that words can’t describe her. She is the best 3-year-old in training.
Following the Derby it seems all the connections hem and haw about the Preakness and then they all show up anyway.
Here is the latest news from Daily Racing Form:
Mine That Bird – maybe
Pioneerof the Nile – maybe
Join In The Dance – maybe
Papa Clem – maybe
West Side Bernie and Atomic Rain – unlikely
Hold Me Back, Advice, Mr. Hot Stuff, Dunkirk, Friesan Fire, Summer Bird – NO
Time to make the Sunland Derby a graded race?
Sunland officials have begged for graded status for the Sunland Derby. Those that make these decisions always say that no horse of importance runs in the race. Well, the Sunland officials now have their ammo. Meanwhile, the UAE Derby is a grade 2??? I guess Dubai has money and influence. The fact that each year those that exit that race are non-factors in the Derby makes no difference.
jm
