My father should have always said that it takes a wise man to tip his hat to his superiors rather than try to beat them. I'm sure he did at some point. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I can't beat the Crafty Veteran so I'll meekly tip my hat and congratulate him on one of the more insightful handicapping posts I've ever read.
Anywho. Here's the field from the rail out as I see it.
Sedgefield: Never before raced on dirt. Now this is a hell of a spot to test a hunch. It's like bringing a horse who cant swim to the Olympics to play water polo.
Curlin: I'm not sure whether or not I wish I was making this up. Named for a freed slave who fought for the, thats right, Confederacy during the Civil War. What I'd give to be a fly on the wall at that family reunion. The horse can fly, or at least when running alone which he's done for his entire career of 3 races. I dont think he can do it this weekend but he's the morning line favorite and there's a reason I'm not a professional gambler.
Zanjero: Run 3 times this year, finished 3rd 3 times this year, a couple of times backing up to do it. I dont think he has 3rd in him on Saturday but his owner gets a rental car so whatever works.
Storm In May: He's blind in one eye! His jockey's too tall, his trainer's too old, and I'm too old to know the difference! He's a grey horse so my mom will bet him...which will balance out 99 people who dont come race time.
Imawildandcrazyguy: Imnotgoingtobetthishorse Youcanifyouwanttoo Imnotgoingtostopyou
Cowtown Cat: The closest to the rail of Pletcher's 5. Won the Illinois Derby and the Gotham. More Cowtown than Cat, this is his trip to the big city.
Street Sense: Never run out of the money including a scorching Breeder's Cup Juvenile win. Should be the favorite going in.
Hard Spun: Had the fastest Pre-Derby work since 1979 going 5 furlongs in 57 3/5. Maybe he's cooked, maybe he's hitting the prime of his life. We shall see, but for now I think he likes the track.
Liquidity: Won his maiden and hasnt felt the need to get back in the winner's cirlce in the next 6 races, having been beaten by 7 different Derby horses in the mean time.
Teuflesberg: Cute that he's here. Shouldnt be a factor. I'm jumping out the window if he's a factor.
Bwana Bull: I Bwana see Chelokee in the Derby but we dont all get what we bwant.
Nobiz Like Shobiz: If I had to pick a favorite, and I do, this might be him. Consistently in the picture, consistently the man.
Sam P. : No T. The least likely of the Pletcher 5, I'm not sure Pletcher even knows this one is here. Great picture on the Superfecta Blog concerning Pletcher's horses.
Scat Dadddy: Have heard him referred to twice in the last two days as Scar Daddy. Maybe someone should look into the name. Got to see him win the Florida Derby in fairly convincing fashion. He'll round out my trifecta.
Tiago: As hard as it has been for me to block out the 2005 Derby, the horse racing gods have deemed to screw me over again with another sub par boring horse. But at least he won a race this time. I'm going to get Auburn John to bet on this one.
Circular Quay: Won the Louisiana Derby and was kind enough to slow down for Slew's Tizzy fallen jockey to lose the Risen Star. Other than that he's been spectacular and should be a factor when all is said and done.
Stormello: No relation to Thunderello as far as I know. I expect him off the pace early and about 12 back at the end. My Dad sees him in the winners circle and I've vowed to frame the $20 win ticket he had on him in the Florida Derby if he does.
Any Given Saturday: I dont really know what to say except he loses spectacularly. He's good, no graded stakes wins but always in the picture. Another of Pletcher's, one he might possibly be able to pick out of a lineup.
Dominican: Won a weird race in the Blue Grass. I dont really know what else to say. Not one of my top 10 but not really just filling up space either. Has a reason to be here but doesnt have a shot all at the same time.
Great Hunter: I dont know that I've ever liked a horse so much that I knew so little about. Maybe Candy Ride. Great Hunter has been my back up plan behind Nobiz since the beginning, quietly earning a spot in the field. Might have snuck in and won but the 20 post is a little tough to start from.
I'm no Crafty Veteran but that's the field as I see it.
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