The Derby and the Dying Sport

Today is Derby Day. The first saturday in May is always warm and sunny; it's also the date of one of America's most symbolic sporting events. However, despite the popularity of the Derby, the sport of Horse Racing is dying. Perhaps this is because Horse Racing is glorified for all the wrong reasons. Nonetheless, the path to the triple crown starts now.

Orb and Verrazano are the two definite favourites coming into the Derby. They have 7-2 and 4-1 odds respectively*. Trainer Todd Pletcher has stacked the deck; he has five horses entered in this year's Derby. Orb has won all four have his last four starts including the Florida Derby. Verrazano has won the Wood Memorial, one of the most prestigious pre-Derby races. Another horse to watch is Overanalyze. Overanalyze is a Mike Repole owned horse; horses owned by him have been very good in the past, Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty both come to mind. Anyways, it looks like it will be a very exciting race because of a very talent field.

However, Horse Racing as a sport is dying. It definitely makes for good cinema; stories like Seabiscuit and Secretariat have been very successful in recent years. The excitement displayed in the days of Secretariat, however, don't seem apparent today. I think it's the focus thats done Horse Racing wrong. It's centred mainly around gambling. Thus, the sport doesn't appeal to kids, as well as people who just don't like betting. I think that Horse Racing should focus on the the character and magnificence of the horses, as well as on the people wh around the horses.This would create a much more open environment in Horse Racing.

Can this year's derby show something never seen before in Horse Racing? Can it create a rejuvenation in the popularity of the sport? Well, if this year's derby doesn't do it, I don't know which year in the future could.

*Odds at the time of publication. Odds are frequently changing due to sloppy conditions at Churchill Downs.

Last Minute Preakness Preview

The Kentucky Derby came along and I botched that, I will fully admit. Predicting Gemologist to win was a definite screw up after seeing the horse finish in sixteenth. Now, we have a field of eleven horses. However, two of them seem to be taking centre stage.


Bodemeister
Bodemeister had the derby in the bags if it wasn't for I'll Have Another. Bodemeister is a great horse with great past performances. Bodemeister had a 99 Beyer Speed Figure during the Derby. His best ever was a 108. To put things in perspective, Secretariat had a 139 during the Belmont. Anyways, Bodemeister's Beyer at the Kentucky Derby wasn't very good. If his Beyer can be better, maybe he'll be able to win this one. I expect him to at least show.


I'll Have Another
After his win at Churchill Downs, I'll Have Another is the odds favorite at the Preakness with odds of 5-2. After looking at his previous races, I think I'll Have Another is at the peak of his career. The Derby was I'll Have Another's third consecutive win. To be successful in the Preakness, I'll Have Another will have to have a slightly better run. His jockey needs not to leave it up to the last seconds of the race to make his move. Other than that, I'll Have Another should place or win.


It looks to be a great race between Bodemeister and I'll Have Another. I am very excited to see who comes out on top.

Kentucky Derby

It's that time of year again when handicappers from all over the world get set to watch America's most prestigious race. It's been 34 years since Affirmed won the triple crown in 1978. Can Union Rags, Gemologist, or Bodemeister pull of a triple crown this year?

What I Expect

Gemologist has a great grandsire (great grandfather) of Northern Dancer. Northern Dancer had a great history. He was rode by Ron Turcotte, who was the jockey for Secretariat, which in itself shows he was something major, but he also won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. This, in my opinion, shows, that the Crystal Shard (of whom Northern Dancer is a grandsire) side of the family has great speed traits, with a lack of endurance.

If you look on Gemologist's other side, you will see a great grandfather of Seattle Song. Seattle Song himself wasn't that impressive, but his Dad, Seattle Slew, was an extraordinary thoroughbred who won the Triple Crown the year after Secretariat did. 

Gemologist has a great bloodline. In my opinion, it's almost similar to the characteristics of Secretariat's inheritance. He too had speed on one side, and endurance on the other side of the family. However, there's a lot more to horse than just bloodline. Gemologist hasn't lost a single one of his five starts. He even won the Wood Memorial, which is a very prestigious pre-derby race.

If you look at the video to the left you can watch him run in the Wood Memorial. Gemologist had a close call, but if you watch his stride, it's absolutely beautiful. One of the key things I look for in a good horse is his anatomy and how muscular he his. Gemologist, in my opinion, has a great muscular body and is great at tracking down leaders.

So, I expect Gemologist to at least show in the Derby. If he doesn't win, I think Bodemeister probably will. Union Rags' recent performances have been sub par in my eyes, He should get a third or fourth finish.