Kentucky Derby 2014
Oh gee, I was looking forward to this years derby more than usual Why? Because the year started off with full of talent and the mediocrity of the past few years. Every year you lose some to injury or regression but to lose this many in so late in the year was heartbreaking for me. My early pick was a colt named Constitution. He came up with a hairline fracture in training. Thankfully it was discovered while training and not while he was all out on the engine during a race. He will be back but likely will miss all triple crown races. Then Cairo Prince an early favorite who had regressed but was training back into form fit for the derby- injury and he's out. I have one other favorite who is in that Constitution had beaten earlier this year but egad he's got an engine and is all heart. That leaves the overwhelming California Chrome. A magnificent animal by all standard and his resembles to secretariat is no coincidence since he carries his blood. He is not as sturdy built as the legend but he he's done nothing wrong and he's marvelous to watch. He already received standing ovation in his native California. He's the whole enchilada and is showing no signs of a bounce. Only detraction is he coming off poly tracks and no history of how he will respond to dirt. He really does have potential to a crown winner if he can hold up. Unfortunately, the rest entered so far are rather immature and quite haven't figured out to use all four legs together properly or as we say, they aren't collected yet. One other has 9 starts already and that means a very tired horse. Why the big deal? Well what would Secretariat be without Sham ( a likely crown winner himself in any other year). I can't imagine Affirmed without an equally talented Alydar matching him stride for stride in the stretch. Niatross without Storm Damage dogging him. Battery does have a decent one in the hunt but I hate him as a human and a trainer and I don't think his horse is the same quality. I reckon I'm saying is that even if we get a crown winner this year. It's gonna be, as far as the derby is concerned kinda like the Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Pitt Panthers. Oh wait I nearly forgot. There is a long long shot named Danza that beat some excellent horses but there is no way to tell if it can be repeated. I'm still anxious to see California Chrome run. He really is graceful and just floats over the surface. The field isn't set and there will be more entering but so far it appears ill be betting the tote board instead of the talent. Hey that kinda sounds like the markets dont it? Oh well that's my $10 dollars.
