Kentucky Derby 2011

[AppJumpr08]

[QUOTE=Texarkana;5592862]
It’s comical and a bit sad that they have been working him all along with the intentions of running tomorrow. Now that he can’t make the big dance, this has gone from minor enough to race him in the biggest race 3 year old race in the world to a season-ending and possibly career-ending diagnosis.

Ah, racing and all it’s money-driven idiosyncrasies…[/QUOTE]

I think Mike Repole has shown that he’s interested in longer careers of his horses, or at least one - Cool N Collective. I have doubts that a “gastrointestinal infection” is actually the problem, and wonder if there isn’t a greater issue going on that could limit/end the horse’s racing career. Though I very much hope I’m wrong.

[Toadie_s_mom]

@Madeline;5592916

I read somewhere that with the defection of Mo, everyone moves out one slot.

No, the 2 horses outside him move in.

[Melelio]

I’ll add my picks:

Nehro, Dialed In, and ArchArchArch. I really like MMM, and Midnight Interlude, too, but I don’t want to be greedy…I AM however, totally confuzzled by this field. Any one could snatch it.

[Pallas]

I AM however, totally confuzzled by this field. Any one could snatch it.

Yepper. The question for each of the many late bloomers: is the bloom on the Roses, or off? Has Nehro been lurking one race away, or is he more likely to stay one place away? Did Midnight Interlude hit his peak or hit his stride? Can Archarcharch overcome his post position? Can Borel overcome his horse (again)?

Heart wants Mucho Macho Man – alias, “Three Shoes Are Made for Walkin’” – and head says, Dialed In.

[Glimmerglass]

This is just a highly difficult field to predict and I’m sure when the winner is determined people will say “ah, of course it makes sense because he …” however I think Ray Kerrison at The Post said it best:

The public will bet at least $105 million on the Kentucky Derby tomorrow and nearly every buck that goes through the windows will be a guess bet because not even Nostradamus could predict the winner.

[Marney]

Ok so after doing a bit more research I am still on Dialed In and MMM but I got Santiva mixed up with another. I really like Nehro and Midnight Interlude too but that is being greedy:) I seem to find a reason for most…It is a tough field…

[dressagetraks]

Anybody in Louisville? Rain/no rain? Track fast?

[Rubyfree]

Thus far, no rain.

[vineyridge]

Why did Shackleford have such low odds in Glimmerglass’s post on the PPs? What’s he done to warrant that?

What I’m finding interesting is the relatively small number–almost infinitesmal-- of imported mares and sires who show up in the first two or three generations of all the starters.

If you add together all the stud fees in the first two generations for most of these starters, I and my horses could live happily and luxuriously for the rest of our lives.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=vineyridge;5593419]
Why did Shackleford have such low odds in Glimmerglass’s post on the PPs? What’s he done to warrant that?[/QUOTE]

I cited the Morning Line odds set by Mike Battaglia for Churchill Downs.

Current live odds via Twin Spire/Churchill Downs

These will vary from the pool you may put into and draw from. Example - I wager at an outlet controlled by Arlington Park but despite it being CD owned I won’t get the exact odds at you see in the link above. UK’s Bet Fair, which TVG shows, has some wild differences.

What is still insane is Calvin Borel’s effect on Twice the Appeal. He had been as low as 7-1 but it’s drifting up to 9-1 now.

Shackleford is sitting far above the morning line at 22-1.

Article on this year’s runner’s names and origin

Soldat, for example, the French word for soldier, is by War Front, out of a mare named Le Relais.

Pants On Fire, owned by George and Lori Hall, is not actually deceitful. The Associated Press reported that Lori Hall named him with a nod to his sire, Jump Start, along with some firefighters who are friends with the Halls.

Nehro is really named for Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India who helped India transform from a British colony to a democratic nation.

[Glimmerglass]

It’s raining now although not heavily …

(pdf) Another quick chart outlining the contenders by position and comments

One of the many sources of on-site Tweets - Lex Herald-Leader

Mucho Macho Man, who won’t be 3 for a couple weeks, is already 17hh.

[Glimmerglass]

Thus far the coverage on Verses. has been pretty good. They are using CD’s Mark Johnson as the caller (NBC only will use Larry) and he does love his job and gets into the action he sees on the track.

Laffit Pincay III & Randy Moss, as expected, are solid anchoring the desk and while Kenny Rice makes a terrible host for the Eclipse Awards he is a fine interviewer.

Boston Globe Editorial May 7, 2011 - “Stop and smell the roses”

There is an old saying that if you have not been to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, “you ain’t been nowhere and you ain’t seen nothin’.’’

Yet for all the changes in Americans’ entertainment tastes, and despite the economic woes of the racing industry, something of the old romance of America’s great race will be rekindled at the moment this year’s field of three-year-old thoroughbreds parades to the post for today’s Derby.

There may be no Secretariats in this year’s crop, and a single race, even the Derby, can hardly provide a magical cure for the dwindling attendance at American tracks or the continuing decline in the yearly foal crop. But the spectacle itself remains what it has always been: a sporting metaphor for all the other contests of life, a complex test of the bettor’s analytical capabilities, a fleeting aesthetic experience shared by multitudes.

[VirginiaBred]

I’ve had several of my friends tell me they will be on anything that Calvin rides. That must be all they need to know…

[Larksmom]

It’s a BOY!

They just did a story [kind of a groaner,:(] but announced that Rachael is carrying a BOY! I am flabbergasted that they can tell that so early!

[Flashy_Gray_VA]

The Borel Effect on Twice the Appeal IS insane.

On the subject of insanity:

I KNOW the coverage on NBC is aimed at a broad non-horsey audience. I know this.

But the piece they just ran on Rachel Alexandra and Curlin?

Beyond insipid. BE. YOND. INSIPID. :rolleyes:

[sparky6]

I don’t get Versus so the only coverage I’m getting this year is NBC. Makes me want to pull my hair out. At least in years past I’ve had better coverage all day to appease me and dull the pain of NBC. Bleh.

[Larksmom]

Vs coverage is over now anyway

But you gotta love Get Stormy! I was hoping he would win. I can’t believe they keep letting him get a lead with dawdling fractions and then he runs off and hides!! This was a good field too.
I was VERY impressed with Lafitte and Randy Moss. I have missed Randy since ESPN carries almost no racing anymore.

[ThisTooShallPass]

See my Thread on free Intenet coverage. Neat viewing options there from NBC. Heck, you could watch tv, & then 2 other coverage views on the Internet. How neat is that! :yes:

[ThisTooShallPass]

I love Gary Stevens, but it looks like a kindergartner dressed him this year. sorry

[Flashy_Gray_VA]

Now, now, ThisToo - don’t be busting too hard on Gary’s bespoke windowpane/gingham combo.

Damn NBC and damn their stupid Versus channel. I would have liked to have seen Lafitte and Randy M. together.