2020 Kentucky Derby thread

[HanSenSE]

Can you get a good mint julep in September?

Anyway, Belmont Stakes (remember that?) winner Tiz the Law is morning line favorite at 3-5, but also draws No. 17 post. And, just skimming the AP story in the paper, all the favorites drew outside posts.

So, ladies and gentlemen, start your horses!

 

[Huggy]

I am betting to beat the favourite. With what I am not sure right now.

Bonne chance to all!

 

[Inky_Wretch]

I am betting to beat the favourite.

That's always my play in the Derby.

As for the mint julep, Maker's Mark makes a bottled version that isn't half bad.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

Looks like the Preakness is still on for Oct. 3?

 

[Songbird]

1st Saturday in Maytember is the best Saturday of the year!

 

[HanSenSE]

Looks like the Preakness is still on for Oct. 3?

Yup.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Churchill with no fans is damn weird. But the exacta in the last race was nice.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

I’m glad there won’t be a Triple Crown winner this year. That would be just weird.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Damn good race. Also a cashed ticket. When in doubt, go with Baffert.

 

[Moderator1]

Damn good race. Also a cashed ticket. When in doubt, go with Baffert.

Is his other horse OK? Required scratch, it sounded like, since the horse hit his head.

Baffert getting knocked on his ass in the winner's circle was, uh, interesting. I'd still be trying to get up.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Is his other horse OK? Required scratch, it sounded like, since the horse hit his head.

Baffert getting knocked on his ass in the winner's circle was, uh, interesting. I'd still be trying to get up.

Horse that was scratched was given a clean bill of health by the vets after examination last night.

 

[Moderator1]

Good. I hate to see stuff like that.

 

[The Big Ragu]

I have a cousin who has gone to every Derby for at least the last 20 to 25 years. His year revolves around that weekend. Same group of guys do it every year. I went with them in 2004 -- Smarty Jones. The Derby was on my bucket list and he made it happen for me. It was one of the most fun weekends I have ever had. Needless to say, this year just sucked for him and his crew.

I have been doing so little since the pandemic. And I have been alone for the last few weeks with my better half having gone to see her parents.

My cousin called me up last weekend, knowing I am alone. They were getting together at Monmouth Park in NJ for racing yesterday -- making the best of it. He asked me if I wanted to meet up with them. I was pretty apprehensive about it, wasn't sure it was a good idea. The track said they were limiting capacity to 25 percent, temp checks, masks required, but I know most people are idiots and I had a feeling it could be a ****show. I decided to go, telling myself if I was uncomfortable, I could always leave.

It wasn't quite as bad as my worst fears, but still a lot of idiots getting too much in my personal space, a good many of them not wearing masks once inside etc.

I decided to bet only the races at Monmouth and ignore Churchill Downs until the Derby. It's a weird track. The quality of the horses is pretty weak, and with a relatively small crowd, the odds were meaningless -- every race was a total crapshoot with longshots having as much chance as the supposed favorites. It took me 2 races to figure that out, and then I got lucky and picked a triple and 3 exactas, to come home with some money. Small bets, it was complete luck.

On the Derby, we threw some longshots in with Tiz, trying to win a triple. It didn't matter because none of us were on Authentic or Mr. Big News. One of the guys I was with had the 10 horse that was scratched on a stack of tickets, and I felt bad for him having only a short time to cancel them out and re-bet. I am glad the horse is OK.

F'in Baffert.