KENTUCKY DERBY 2013 – PICKS
There doesn’t appear to be a real triple-crown contender this year, i.e: no real dominant horse. So, the field appears to be wide open. Also, with a 90% chance of rain at start time and continuous rain during the day, the muddy track should keep the race even more wide open.
1. REVOLUTIONARY
Even though this horse is posting from an inside position (#3, or really 2 now that #1 posted horse has scratched), this horse is being ridden by Calvin Borrel who loves the rail. Borrel has been nicknamed “Bo-rail” for his fence-skimming rides. Also, Borrel has three Derby wins in the last six years. This experience will be key on the muddy track.
As for the horse, he can run from behind to win. (Louisiana Derby; and was in last place at Withers & came in 1st – both impressive wins).
2. GOLDENCENTS
This horse has a very favorable Post Position (#8) and impressive win at Santa Anita over Flashback showing his stamina which will be key for distance.
He is trained by Doug O’Neill, who put unknown Mario Gutierrez aboard I’ll Have Another last year and won. Trying to become the first trainer to win back-to-back Derbies since Bob Baffert in 1997-98.
Horse partially owned by Rick Pitino, the Louisville Cardinals head basketball coach. He took his team to national championship this year and inducted into hall of fame next day. Momentum is with him.
Relative unknown jockey Kevin Krigger, trying to become the first black jockey to win since Jimmy Winkfield in 1902.
Only real drawback – unknown in the mud. Or, I would have placed horse higher.
3. VERRAZANO
This horse is 4-0 in his young career. He has not run as a 2-year-old, which may not bode well for the horse, as none since Apollo in 1882 has won without racing as a juvenile. Still, this horse is a physical specimen who can handle distance.
Ridden by Johnny Velazquez; Trained by Todd Pletcher
4. ORB
Inside word is that the horse worked out well at the track this week. He has a four-race winning streak coming into the Derby. He has also shown that he can come from behind to win (stamina) and has Hall of fame trainer Shug McGaughey behind him.
5. NORMANDY INVASION
Looked impressive in Wood Memorial (2nd place) vs. Verrazano & Remsen Stakes (2nd); Jockey – Javier Castellano who won a Preakness Stakes picked this horse to ride over Verrazano; Only issue is horse untested on sloppy track.
But, I love the name and owners – The colt is named for the Allied assault on Normandy in World War II because it has four D-Day veterans backing him. As a WWII history buff, this pick is partially emotional.
LONG SHOT CONTENDERS:
VYJACK I wouldn’t normally like a horse coming from outside post on a sloppy track, but this scenario has proven successful for this horse in the past. Liked showing at Wood Memorial.
FRAC DADDY Favorable position; Has proven he can win in the mud; impressive 2nd place at Kentucky Jockey Club.
MYLUTE Has shown he can come from behind & contend (Impressive 2nd place win to Revolutionary at Louisiana Derby; 3rd at Delta Downs).
Also believe in only female jockey Rosie Napravnik.
OVERANALYZE can sit back and pounce as the front-runners begin to get weary in the stretch (Arkansas Derby
POST POSITIONS:
|
Post |
Horse |
Jockey |
Trainer |
| 1 | SCR (Black Onyx) | SCR | SCR |
| 2 | Oxbow | Gary Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 3 | Revolutionary | Calvin Borel | Todd Pletcher |
| 4 | Golden Soul | Robby Albarado | Dallas Stewart |
| 5 | Normandy Invasion | Javier Castellano | Chad Brown |
| 6 | Mylute | Rosie Napravnik | Tom Amoss |
| 7 | Giant Finish | Jose L. Espinoza | Anthony W. Dutrow |
| 8 | Goldencents | Kevin Krigger | Doug O’Neill |
| 9 | Overanalyze | Rafael Bejarano | Todd Pletcher |
| 10 | Palace Malice | Mike Smith | Todd Pletcher |
| 11 | Lines of Battle | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien |
| 12 | Itsmyluckyday | Elvis Trujillo | Eddie Plesa Jr. |
| 13 | Falling Sky | Luis Saez | John Terranova II |
| 14 | Verrazano | John R. Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
| 15 | Charming Kitten | Edgar Prado | Todd Pletcher |
| 16 | Orb | Joel Rosario | Claude R. McGaughey III |
| 17 | Will Take Charge | Jon Court | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 18 | Frac Daddy | Victor Lebron | Kenny McPeek |
| 19 | Java’s War | Julien Leparoux | Kenny McPeek |
| 20 | Vyjack | Garrett Gomez | Rudy Rodriguez |
Source : Kentucky Derby Site
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