Pedigree Spotlight: The Selections
Finally, it's the week of the Kentucky Derby, and like most of you, I'm feeling like a kid in a candy store who's eagerly awaiting his chocolate milk balls and bubble gum gum-drops.
This is the time of the week we normally take a peek into a Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks contender's pedigree. Well, having already studied the pedigrees of the entire field, we're going to, at long last, put the knowledge we've gained over the past few weeks into action. It's time to make our plays for the Kentucky Derby.
This week, I'm going to countdown my top 5 Kentucky Derby Pedigrees and my top 3 Kentucky Oaks Pedigrees and we'll throw in a little betting strategy on how i'm going to use these horses. Let's start with the Oaks countdown.
Plum Pretty is a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro - out of the A.P.Indy mare Liszy.
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Medaglia d'Oro, is what?
Why, Rachel Alexandra, of course. Now let's not get crazy and compare this filly to Rachel, but she is bred very nicely, and her damsire A.P.Indy was an absolute freak on the track and in the breeding shed. She's coming off a super impressive win in the grade III Sunland Park Oaks, so she has a long-shot chance of shaking up the tote board this Friday.
Joyful Victory is a daughter of the sensational sire Tapit - out of the Wild Again mare - Wild Lucy Black. Tapit just sires incredible looking fillies with loads of talent. This year alone, 3 of his fillies – Zazu, Joyful Victory, and Dancinginherdreams- have already notched graded stakes victories. Her damsire, Wild Again, won the Inaugural Breeders' Cup Classic at odds of 31-1, He's sired greats in Milwaukee Brew, Sarava, and Offlee Wild.
Zazu is another daughter of the aforementioned Tapit, she's out of the Mr.Greeley mare Rhumb Line. Zazu is one of the best bred fillies I've seen in a long time. Her sire is known for producing sensational fillies and her damsire, Mr. Greeley, is the father of several graded stakes winners including; El Corredor, WhyWhyWhy, and Miraculous Miss.
My Kentucky Oaks Bet – 1 tri wheel, I'm keying Joyful Victory in 1st, with Plum Pretty,Kathmanblu, and Zazu in 2nd, with Plum Pretty, Kathmanblu,and Zazu in 3rd.
I'm taking a stand against R Heat Lightning (which might be dangerous to my health, and my wallet) But, we're trying to get paid here!
Now, let's get to the big show ... My Top 5 Kentucky Derby Pedigrees.
You would think being out of Indian Charlie, that I am border-line certifiable for placing Uncle Mo on this list. But, I have my reasons. Indian Charlie has sired a graded stakes winner at the Classic distance in Champion Older Mare, Fleet Indian. She won the grade I Personal Ensign Handicap. His damsire is Arch, Arch is an extremely versatile sire, just look at last year's Breeders' Cup Classic winner to see if his offspring like 10 furlongs.
This son of Mineshaft has really been on the improve. Mineshaft, himself, was an extremely talented horse, winning twice in graded stakes at the 10 furlong distance. Stamina was one thing Mineshaft had in abundace. Nehro's damsire, Afleet, was a multiple grade I winner and Canadian Horse of the year. Afleet's son, A Fleet's Dancer, won the grade III Dominion Day Handicap at the 10 furlong distance.
In my opinion, this colt has been totally mishandled. Being moved from barn to barn, from different surface to different surface, has just taken its toll on him. But he's royally bred.
He's the son of Giant's Causeway, who himself, won three times in graded stakes company at the Classic Derby distance.
The son of the aforementioned Arch, Triple Arch is coming off one of those “special” races, where maybe, a champion might have been discovered. His grand-sire Kris S. has been prolific at siring distance horses. His damsire, “Woodman,” was versatile on the track and has been just as versatile in the breeding shed. He is the father of Preakness and Belmont winner, Hansel.
Dialed In is another son of Mineshaft (See Above)
Dialed In's grand-dam won the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies and was named Juvenile Filly Champion.
How am I going to play this? Simple. I'm going to play an exacta wheel, Arch Arch Arch and Uncle Mo keyed in 1st, with Archarcharch, Uncle Mo, Dialed In, Santiva, Nehro, and Pants On Fire keyed in the 2ndspot. I'm also going to play an Oaks-Derby Double, I'm going to key Joyful Victory and Kathmanblu in the Kentucky Oaks and Archarcharch, Nehro, Uncle Mo, and Pants On Fire in the Kentucky Derby.
Good Luck Everyone!