Kentucky Derby 137

I was at an out-of-state tournament for Slambino. That was a bizarre day at Saratoga on the grass, when all the winners came from a zillion lengths off in the middle of the turf course. It was, of course, no surprise Slambino dind't win again for at least the next 18 months.

 

The turf courses can be a tricky read sometimes because you're dealing with some unusual circumstances, including the weather, of course, but also the fact that they're pounding it six days a week for six weeks.

 

1 Archarcharch (Jon Court), 10-1
2 Brilliant Speed (Joel Rosario), 30-1
3 Twice the Appeal (Calvin Borel), 20-1
4 Stay Thirsty (Ramon Dominguez), 20-1
5 Decisive Moment (Kerwin Clark), 30-1
6 Comma to the Top (Pat Valenzuela), 30-1
7 Pants on Fire (Rosie Napravnik), 20-1
8 Dialed In (Julien Leparoux), 4-1
9 Derby Kitten (J.J. Castellano), 30-1
10 Twinspired (Mike Smith), 30-1
11 Master of Hounds (Garrett Gomez), 30-1
12 Santiva (Shaun Bridgmohan), 30-1
13 Mucho Macho Man (Rajiv Maragh), 12-1
14 Shackleford (Jesus Castanon), 12-1
15 Midnight Interlude (Victor Espinoza), 10-1
16 Animal Kingdom (Robby Albarado), 30-1
17 Soldat (Alan Garcia), 12-1
18 Uncle Mo (John Velasquez), 9-2
19 Nehro (Corey Nakatani), 6-1
20 Watch Me Go (Rafael Bejarano), 50-1

 

By far the biggest cheer was when Mucho Macho Man was announced with the No. 13 post. It was the 17th pill pulled.

I was disappointed Nehro drew 19, but Asmussen said it wasn't a big deal, and he could foresee a mini-squadron of Nehro, Mo, Soldat and Shackleford getting the jump on them before the first turn. Then Nehro can pick his spot on the backside. I'll believe that when I see it.

Poor Jinks Fires. He had to sit there the whole time waiting for Archarcharch, then was stuck with the one hole by default after 19 pills were drawn.

Baffert threw his fist in the air when Midnight Interlude got the 15 (see: Lookin At Lucky).

 

So we've got Bo-Rail starting at the No. 3 position? Should I save myself three days of studying and simply empty the 401(k) on Twice the Appeal?

 

Please don't do that.

 

To be fair, hb, that's a lot less money than he could have gambled on him two years ago.

 

OK, that's a good point.

Uncle Mo camp sending mixed signals about whether he'll run or not.

 

If he doesn't run, I'm putting my money on Nehro, 19 slot or not.

 

Is Stay Thirsty owned by the most interesting man in the world? If so, that's a lock.

 

Stay Thirsty is my horse. Might combine him w/Uncle Mo and Dialed In.

 

Oh, great, kill my price why don't you.

Judging from the pack around Mike Repole while discussing Uncle Mo this morning, he is in fact the most interesting man in the world (he also owns Stay Thirsty, whose name is a VitaminWater commercial, of sorts).