Odds and Ends
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Here we go again, days before the Oaks and Derby and the contenders are dropping like flies. The probable favorite and one of my picks, R Heat Lightning is out with an injury changing up my picks for the Oaks. I have decided not to change my lineup; I am simply taking R Heat Lightning out and going with a two horse exacta of Kathmanblu and Joyful Victory. I also wanted to note that Leparoux is back on Kathmanblu, so that is where my flat bet will be.
Now on to the Derby picture, Toby’s Corner is out and Uncle Mo is questionable. Questionable!!! All I have heard since his August is how this horse will be the favorite in the Derby. I have heard it over and over from the handicappers that I have come to admire and OVER and OVER from the owner of the horse. It was just Sunday that Repole told reporters that his horse would go off as the favorite because he was going to bet so much money on him, Monday was a quiet day and then Tuesday we find out that Uncle Mo may sit out the Derby if he is not 100%. Ok, so is the damn horse ready or not!! I am not waiting around to find out, I am changing my picks. I actually thought long and hard about it and on May 2, I commented on my previous blog stating that I changed my picks. Here they are: my exacta will feature a box using Dialed In, Nehro and ArchArchArch and again Dialed In will get my flat bet. So there it is, now let’s just pray the rain stays away…
Just watched the Derby draw, I pulled post position #8 with my favorite Dialed In and with that, I am happy!!!
Machen, one of the many horses we looked forward to seeing in the Derby, has found his niche. I was very high on this horse going into the Risen Star and when he turned up only 4th, I was willing to give him one more shot until I found out that jockey Jamie Theriot would not be guiding him. I jumped off his bandwagon when Theriot jumped off his back, but it was great to watch him Saturday evening in the Derby Trial. I am glad he has found a distance he likes; I just wish he had not beaten my bet by a nose.
Moving on, I was happy to see Tyler Baze back in action and back in the winner’s circle since his long, long layoff. Baze was sidelined for about 9 months with a facial injury and since returning to the track at the end of April, he has a 27% win percentage. Way to go Tyler, I am looking forward to him shaking up the rankings in California.
In other news, Robby Albarado cannot catch a break. He was out some of last year with an injury, came back just in time for some Derby prep races this year, took some bad press and has now had a spill the Wednesday before Derby Day. They say he will still be riding, broken nose and all. He is not my pick for the Derby, but I have to wish him well or at least better than he has had.
Finally, sad to hear about the passing of Devil May Care; I was so happy to root her on in each of her races. RIP
Talk to you all after the Derby. Best of luck to all of the horses, especially the ones I am putting money on.
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