Racetrack Lenny

Derby Post Position Update

Well, post positions are set and we're ready to go. A very good betting race. Speed horses generally drew poorly. Read The Footnotes-Post 14, Smarty Jones- Post 15, Pollard's Vision- Post 17 and Quinton's Gold Rush- Post 20. The lone speed that drew very well was Lion Heart-Post 3.

Post positions definitely will play a big part in this race. Lion Heart with a favorable post should get right out and make a bee line to the rail. Look for the outside speed horses to get out fast trying to get to mid-pack and perhaps forced to be 5 wide or more at the first turn. If none of the outside speed is able to get to Lion Heart quickly and the first quarter goes in anything slower than 23-4/5, Lion Heart then has a chance. I just doubt he can get the distance.

Contenders: Smarty Jones, despite Post 15, has proven his talent coming into the Derby undefeated. His workout earlier this week (5 furlongs in 58) was sensational. He seems primed for a top effort. Tapit's slow speed figure in the Wood Memorial should be discounted. It was a bizarre race and he came from way out of it to win it. This one-run closer gets Post 18 which will guarantee that he will have no problem securing a last or next to last position early. Should there be a fast pace, he could be this year's Gato Del Sol. Imperialism is the most experienced horse in the race- 15 starts. He can stalk the pace from mid-pack or close from far back. His latest workouts have been good and he could be in the hunt late. The Cliff's Edge was impressive beating Lion Heart and he's another versatile sort that wins these type of races. Borrego was the only horse doing some serious running at Smarty Jones in the Arkansas Derby and a similar effort puts him right there. Finally- our sentimental choice, Minister Eric, drew very well. He's a mid-pack runner who launches one run and he should be able to get to mid-pack fairly easily. Will he have the stamina to get the distance-iffy.

Pretenders: Action This Day continues to be highly touted because of his Breeders Cup Juvenile win. It would be a miracle if he pulls off the upset given his sorry record this year. The Breeder's Cup curse continues. Friends Lake is here on the strength of his Florida Derby win. He upset that field because of a pace meltdown and that may be unlikely in the Derby. Master David is always knocking around, but, he had the Wood seemingly won when he ran out of gas and was passed easily by Tapit. Read The Footnotes knows one thing-speed. He got fried in the Florida Derby battling with Second of June. I don't think he's yet recovered from that grueling race. Castledale is an Irish bred who can definitely get the distance and he won the Santa Anita Derby. But, that race was deceiving. It was run in a slow time and Castledale was able to last. He will not get soft fractions in the Derby. Castledale has the look of a good Belmont horse. Quinton's Gold Rush ran extremely well in his last race; but, he draws Post 20 and speed is his game. Too much to overcome.

All others merit no mention.
Bets: $10 WPS- Smarty Jones, Tapit, Imperialism
$2 WPS- Minister Eric
$2 Exacta Box: Smarty Jones, Tapit, Imperialism
$1 Exacta: The Cliff's Edge, Tapit, Smarty Jones over The Cliff's Edge, Tapit, Smarty Jones, Borrego, Minister Eric
$1 Triple: Smarty Jones, Tapit, Imperialism over Tapit, Imperialism, Borrego over Smarty Jones, Borrego, Minister Eric, The Cliff's Edge
$1 Superfecta: Smarty Jones, Tapit over Smarty Jones, Tapit over The Cliff's Edge, Borrego over The Cliff's Edge, Borrego, Minister EricGood luck everyone, may the Horse be with you.

Catherine Detweiler went to the post at @ 9:46 PM