Kentucky Derby 2011

[ZephyrHawk]

With just 10 days left before the 137th Run for the Roses, it's time for my annual Kentucky Derby thread!!

So, for anyone who's been paying attention to the preps, man what a tough year this is! No one can seem to keep their form up for more than a single stakes race at a time. Plus, early indications are for mud at Churchill, so you can't count out the rain day horses.

My pick*? He goes from winning one race with style, to finishing a distant seventh without explanation. He spent this entire spring being referred to as "Uncle Mo's workmate". He didn't even know who his jockey would be until this morning. He is...the most interesting horse in the Derby field.

Stay Thirsty!**

(I wonder if IdesofMarch will read my post )


If you don't have a sure winner to share, tell us all how you'll be spending your most exiciting 2 minutes in sports!

My day will begin with preparing food the previous day and making mint infused simple syrup. I will then spend all of Saturday cooking burgoo and making other Derby centric treats, watching "Breakfast at Churchill" (or whatever they're calling it now), watching my copy of The First Saturday in May (it's become a tradition for me), and cleaning the house before my guests arrive. Then I'll be hosting between 11 and 15 folks for my annual Derby gala event. Am I just a bit obsessed with horse racing. Yes, yes I am.

*ZephyrHawk's Derby pick may change at a whim.

**ZephyrHawk has never picked a Derby winner. 20th time's the charm!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

You sound like us on Melbourne Cup day. Its a huge thing for our family. I share your obsession. So does DH.

 

[sam_gordon]

You want to know how I'll spend the time?

From Tues-Fri, I'll spend between 30-40 hours at Churchill Downs. Saturday morning, I'll wake up around 4:30AM so I'm at the track around 5:30AM. I'll end up leaving around 10PM.

The best side... being on the first turn when the horses come from the barn to the paddock, and when they come around during the race. A couple of my pictures from last year...

 

[Leajess99]

You want to know how I'll spend the time?

From Tues-Fri, I'll spend between 30-40 hours at Churchill Downs. Saturday morning, I'll wake up around 4:30AM so I'm at the track around 5:30AM. I'll end up leaving around 10PM.

The best side... being on the first turn when the horses come from the barn to the paddock, and when they come around during the race. A couple of my pictures from last year...

Way cool Sam!!!!

I'll be at the soccer field if the weather cooperates. I have lived here since late 94 and have yet to make it to the Derby.

 

[Aisling]

Right on time as usual, Zephyr Hawk!

 

[cpparrothead]

I will be attending my first derby this year. It is my 40th birthday present! We have 3rd level grandstand seats, but I can't imagine sitting down much that day.

 

[Leajess99]

I will be attending my first derby this year. It is my 40th birthday present! We have 3rd level grandstand seats, but I can't imagine sitting down much that day.

Very cool!!! We always have lots of celebs show up here for Derby. That would be what i would love to see.

Have fun and have safe travels down here.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

Sam Gordon, I am sooo jealous! Great pictures. Thanks for sharing!

I've never made it to the Derby even though it's my favorite sporting event of the year. I've loved horses since before I could walk, and have had them most of my life.

ZephyrHawk, I picked three Derby winners in a row, I kid you not. And FIVE Belmont winners in a row. This was during Woody Stephens/Claiborne Farms/Pincay years. What thrilling years those were in horse racing!

 

[Hillbeans]

Hi Z! Has it been a year already??

I guess Uncle Mo will go off as the favorite? Lets hope for a decent post as the favorite usually gets a terrible draw.

I'll be following along next Saturday

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

No OTB in NYC, going to have to hike to Long Island just to play. Curse you Mayor Bloomberg!!!

I got to go find that old bookie number

 

[ZephyrHawk]

You sound like us on Melbourne Cup day. Its a huge thing for our family. I share your obsession. So does DH.

Ooh, Aussie horse fans! I hear you have a mare down there named Black Caviar who may be coming to the states. I look forward to seeing her.

From Tues-Fri, I'll spend between 30-40 hours at Churchill Downs. Saturday morning, I'll wake up around 4:30AM so I'm at the track around 5:30AM. I'll end up leaving around 10PM.

First, I hate you.

Second, I went to my first Derby last year. Sat right near the 3/16 pole. I brought my DSLR and rented a 100-400 lens just for the trip. I got great shots on Oaks Day! Then my camera froze. Just. Before. The. Derby. Epic fail. I think the humidity got to it. I have 3 poor quality photos of the race I managed to snap with DH's point and shoot.

Third, did I mention I hate you?

I will be attending my first derby this year. It is my 40th birthday present! We have 3rd level grandstand seats, but I can't imagine sitting down much that day.

Congratulations! Those should be good seats if for no other reason than they are under cover. ZephyrHawk's first lesson from her first Derby - buy a rain kit for her camera. Her second lesson? Spend the extra money for seats under a roof.

ZephyrHawk, I picked three Derby winners in a row, I kid you not. And FIVE Belmont winners in a row. This was during Woody Stephens/Claiborne Farms/Pincay years. What thrilling years those were in horse racing!

Yeah, yeah...rub it in. I've called a couple Preakness and Belmont exactas, but that's my only claim to fame. Years of handicapping experience and never picked a Derby winner. I am shame.

I guess Uncle Mo will go off as the favorite? Lets hope for a decent post as the favorite usually gets a terrible draw.

Well, he would have, if he hadn't gone and taken third in the Wood Memorial. He supposedly had an intestinal infection and grabbed a quarter in the race. Whatever, excuses are excuses. Despite the strange similarities he's no Secretariat [who, for those not up on their horse racing history, also shockingly came in 3rd in the Wood Memorial]. Nor is Arthur's Tale (the optional claimer who finished in second) anything like Sham. I'm willing to give Toby's Corner (the winner) a comparison to Angle Light, but that's as far as I'll go with my 1973 references.

No, at this point the favorite is still up in the air, but it will likely be Dialed In, winner of the Florida Derby. My Bloodhorse information link says he worked a half in 48 and change this morning.

As usual, the Oaks is easier for me to pick. I am in love with Plum Pretty.

 

[JCJRSmith]

A friend of mine from my office is one of the owners of Mucho Macho Man. This is their first horse ever to run in the Derby.

 

[sam_gordon]

First, I hate you.

Second, I went to my first Derby last year. Sat right near the 3/16 pole. I brought my DSLR and rented a 100-400 lens just for the trip. I got great shots on Oaks Day! Then my camera froze. Just. Before. The. Derby. Epic fail. I think the humidity got to it. I have 3 poor quality photos of the race I managed to snap with DH's point and shoot.

Third, did I mention I hate you?

I'll rub it in then... I (hopefully obviously) get paid to be there. This will be my 11th in a row and I think 13th out of the last 15 (or something like that). But it's not all "fun and roses". Long days, heavy labor, little sleep, etc. But it helps pay for our Disney trip! Oh, and I can't pick a winner worth a &*($.

Also, those pictures were with a kit 55-200 lens.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

1. Archarcharch
2. Brilliant Speed
3. Twice the Appeal
4. Stay Thirsty
5. Decisive Moment
6. Comma to the Top
7. Pants on Fire
8. Dialed In
9. Derby Kitten
10. Twinspired
11. Master of Hounds
12. Santiva
13. Mucho Macho Man
14. Shackleford
15. Midnight Interlude
16. Animal Kingdom
17. Soldat
18. Uncle Mo
19. Nehro
20. Watch Me Go

A friend of mine from my office is one of the owners of Mucho Macho Man. This is their first horse ever to run in the Derby.

3M's story is an awesome one. Such a late foal, and they thought he was dead when he was born, then he jumped right up and ran off. He's definitely on my short list.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Ooh, Aussie horse fans! I hear you have a mare down there named Black Caviar who may be coming to the states. I look forward to seeing her.

Oh, she is awesome. She's so exciting to watch. There is tons of stuff on youtube about her but I found this link and I have watched it over and over again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VkpmImLeVw

We have seen her race a few times but last year we were at the Cox Plate (our premier weight for age race) and were lucky enough to see her win and also see 'So You Think' win the Cox Plate for the second time. Unfortunately he was sold and is now being trained by Aiden O'Brian in Ireland now but just won his first race over there by 10 lengths.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Well, news this morning is that Uncle Mo is scratched. Not a big surprise to those of us who have been following Todd Pletcher's wishy washy comments about the colt's improvement, but still, a surprise. Today we've got the Lillies for the Fillies. Anyone want to pose a competitor for my vote of Plum Pretty?

 

[Deb in IA]

Wow, what a wide open field this year!

No clear favorites, but some are listing Nehru pretty high. Archarcharch also was looking really good in workouts, but unfornately drew the post position in a really crowded field.

Mucho Macho Man is a sentimental favorite, with his trainer Kathy Ritvo having had a heart transplant.

And for a long-shot, I'm going with Animal Kingdom, only because its name is the same as the Disney park!

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Longshot I am going with Twinspired.

What is Dialed in going to go off at tomorrow with MO out.

 

[dyna]

Race time I'll be at Epcot.....I lived local to the Derby till a few months ago. Never been to the Derby or any offical derby event. Was always just another day to me sometimes watched the race sometimes did not.

On the other hand my 5 yr old gson got hooked on horse racing last year watching the derby picked the winner last year. LOVES LOVES watching the horse racing channel on TV more often than not picks the winning horse an is also GREAT at pretending to be the aanouncer for the races.

Gson did not like overnight hotel stay even tho there was an indoor pool with water slides etc he could play on he wanted the horse racing channel on tv instead lol

 

[Leajess99]

Well, news this morning is that Uncle Mo is scratched. Not a big surprise to those of us who have been following Todd Pletcher's wishy washy comments about the colt's improvement, but still, a surprise. Today we've got the Lillies for the Fillies. Anyone want to pose a competitor for my vote of Plum Pretty?

The Fillies got a really good day to run. Tomorrow is not looking so good again. Storms are supposed to start around 1pm but hopefully they will stay gone until later.