2008 Kentucky Derby

[Shoeless Joe]

Has anyone from a smaller paper ever tried to get credentials to the Derby?

I did about 10 years ago and was treated poorly. I called about credentials; said I was ASE of and out of state but regional paper; outlined that I wanted to do a story on the Derby experience, not just the race itself; made it a point to say I wasn't asking for a press box seat or even parking; just let me on the grounds.

Guy asked about circulation. I told him 18K. He said he couldn't give me Derby credentials but I could come up all week through Oaks day on Friday (which, I guess means I wasn't treated poorly, in retrospect).

I reiterated that I wasn't asking for a press box seat. I could do my story if they'd just let me in the door and maybe access to the barns to interview people. Dude says "Sorry, we just can't have an 18K circulation paper HERE on Derby day." I kinda took offense to that and said, "You know what? If I want to come to your horse race, I'll buy a ****ing ticket."

I covered my first two Derby's at a 10,000-circ and was never treated with anything but respect by the Derby flaks.

I actually got a mild bit of ironic revenge a few years later. A buddy and I were in Louisville and went to the track. We got there really early, even before the ticket windows opened. The security guy went ahead and let us in for free. I know they haven't gone under because they didn't get my $2 admission that day, but it gave me a laugh.

 

[cranberry]

Big Brown may get out in front from the 20 spot, but I can't see him doing that and then staying in front for a mile and a quarter. There are a ton of unanswered questions on Big Brown, who has only three career starts, and I just can't put him on top. I'll include him in my trifectas — what ELSE would a person with my username bet — but there are some quality horses with attractive odds.

If anyone's wondering what kind of weather they'll have, Friday and Saturday they're calling for mid-70s with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Trainer says Big Brown likes to run from the outside and he should have enough speed to get out in front, assuming he gets a good break. I think he's still definitely in the money. Maybe the Polytrack Bluegrass was a fluke for Pyro, though? His workouts have been impressive.

This whole Polytrack issue is confusing as hell. I'm inclined to exclude Polytrack races, altogether, when picking Triple Crown races. But then you have a horse like Santa Anita winner Colonel John, which has never even run on a dirt track but whose workouts suggest it isn't going to be a factor for him.

To me, Pyro remains the key to the race. He's going to be out of my triple but I know damn well he can screw me up.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Big Brown may get out in front from the 20 spot, but I can't see him doing that and then staying in front for a mile and a quarter. There are a ton of unanswered questions on Big Brown, who has only three career starts, and I just can't put him on top. I'll include him in my trifectas — what ELSE would a person with my username bet — but there are some quality horses with attractive odds.

If anyone's wondering what kind of weather they'll have, Friday and Saturday they're calling for mid-70s with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Trainer says Big Brown likes to run from the outside and he should have enough speed to get out in front, assuming he gets a good break. I think he's still definitely in the money. Maybe the Polytrack Bluegrass was a fluke for Pyro, though? His workouts have been impressive.

This whole Polytrack issue is confusing as hell. I'm inclined to exclude Polytrack races, altogether, when picking Triple Crown races. But then you have a horse like Santa Anita winner Colonel John, which has never even run on a dirt track but whose workouts suggest it isn't going to be a factor for him.

To me, Pyro remains the key to the race. He's going to be out of my triple but I know damn well he can screw me up.

Let's put it this way . . . if Kent sends BB on or close to the lead early, and the horse still manages to win from the 20, with all the other speed in this race, he's one of the five best horses ever to RUN in the Derby, let alone win it.

Can he do it? Maybe. Would I take 3-1 on him, under the conditions? No.

 

[cranberry]

Which horse is going to set the early pace?

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Roussel has said that they're going to send Capturetheglory . . . and given that they're stuck in 19, Eddie Baird and Gayego don't have much choice.

So Dutrow can try to outrun those to speedsters drawn just inside him . . . or try to drop a bit inside off the break without giving away too much ground.

The draw was VERY bad for BB, on multiple levels.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Big Brown may get out in front from the 20 spot, but I can't see him doing that and then staying in front for a mile and a quarter. There are a ton of unanswered questions on Big Brown, who has only three career starts, and I just can't put him on top. I'll include him in my trifectas — what ELSE would a person with my username bet — but there are some quality horses with attractive odds.

If anyone's wondering what kind of weather they'll have, Friday and Saturday they're calling for mid-70s with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Trainer says Big Brown likes to run from the outside and he should have enough speed to get out in front, assuming he gets a good break. I think he's still definitely in the money. Maybe the Polytrack Bluegrass was a fluke for Pyro, though? His workouts have been impressive.

This whole Polytrack issue is confusing as hell. I'm inclined to exclude Polytrack races, altogether, when picking Triple Crown races. But then you have a horse like Santa Anita winner Colonel John, which has never even run on a dirt track but whose workouts suggest it isn't going to be a factor for him.

To me, Pyro remains the key to the race. He's going to be out of my triple but I know damn well he can screw me up.

Let's put it this way . . . if Kent sends BB on or close to the lead early, and the horse still manages to win from the 20, with all the other speed in this race, he's one of the five best horses ever to RUN in the Derby, let alone win it.

And that is why I am making the ultra-rare grip to the horse betting window.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

If he can do all that in his fourth career start, you'll get paid . . . not enough, given the risk/reward, but, hey . . .

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

Look for Pyro to do big things. I have never seen the horse race, but it has a great name.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

If he can do all that in his fourth career start, you'll get paid . . . not enough, given the risk/reward, but, hey . . .

what the hell

 

[Ben_Hecht]

If he can do all that in his fourth career start, you'll get paid . . . not enough, given the risk/reward, but, hey . . .

what the hell

If you think I'm going to talk anybody OUT of playing a horse with this much clearcut natural ability, you're out of your mind. Godspeed.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

There's a horse race during the Derby? I always just thought it was an excuse to drink bourbon.

And the women folk to buy big hats.

 

[fishwrapper]

There's a horse race during the Derby? I always just thought it was an excuse to drink bourbon.

And the women folk to buy big hats.

My Bucket List:

1. Kentucky Derby.
2.

 

[GB-Hack]

The AP notebook today said one other horse won from the 20 slot in the history of the Derby: Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

The AP notebook today said one other horse won from the 20 slot in the history of the Derby: Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.

The first gelding to win the Derby, I believe . . . owned and trained, of course,
by Clyde Van Dusen.

And the newsreel footage is available on YouTube . . . what a joy.

 

[cranberry]

1. Adriano
2. Col. John
3. Pyro

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

1. Adriano
2. Col. John
3. Pyro

Not without a euthanization.

 

[cranberry]

I'm convinced Big Brown is overhyped -- bad feet, bad post position and only his fourth start. I've been sufficiently scared off.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

I'm convinced Big Brown is overhyped -- bad feet, bad post position and only his fourth start. I've been sufficiently scared off.

Feet are an issue.

I'll give you that.

The other two are non-starters.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

NYP reported that the Big Brown folks will be three-jets strong on the scene of the crime.

Dutrow also said he'd be delighted to get 8-5.

Do find it hard to believe, but if they're shipping in a host of hedge-fund action hounds who love this horse, they just might have a tangible effect on the on-track price.

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

I want to bet a trifecta of Monba, Recapturetheglory and Big Brown, yet, I don't know which order.