With Thunder Over Louisville in the books and the official start of Derby Festival activities, let’s have some fun too. For all of you fantasy sports players as well as the upcoming NFL draft, I thought we would take a little different approach at trying to figure out who the contenders and pretenders are for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Team #1 is on the clock so let’s go to the Commissioner who’s at the podium…
With the first pick in the Derby 150 fantasy draft, Team #1 selects — FIERCENESS (2-1) Velazquez / Pletcher. The two-year-old champ showed them why in the Florida Derby. Is clearly the fastest horse by far but doesn’t always show up.
Team #2 is on the clock; the Commissioner is at the podium…
With the 2nd pick in the Derby 150 fantasy draft, Team #2 selects — SIERRA LEONE (5/2) Gaffalione / Brown. Is a nose from being undefeated. Shows up every race and stays out of trouble. $2.4 million purchase and looks like it. Most likely winner if Fierceness stubs a toe.
Team # 3 is on the clock, here’s the Commish…
With the 3rd pick in the Derby 150 fantasy draft, Team #3 selects — DORNOCH (8-1) Saez / Gargan. Dismiss his flop in the Bluegrass at your peril. Jock was told to try and rate him. That’s not his game. Look for trainer to go back to his strength which is on the lead. Don’t be surprised if he takes this field a long way and if left alone, could take it wire to wire.
Team #4 is on the clock so here’s Commissioner…
With the 4th pick in the Derby 150 fantasy draft, Team #4 selects — JUST A TOUCH (15-1) Geroux / Cox. Lightly raced colt showed he has what it takes to win the Roses with a very solid 2nd to Sierra Leone in the Bluegrass. Quickly improving for Cox.
Team #5 is on
the clock…take it
away Commish!
With the 5th pick in the Derby 150 fantasy draft, Team #5 selects — CATCHING FREEDOM (20-1) Pratt / Cox. Double barrel weapon for loaded barn. He came out of the clouds to win the Louisiana Derby, a race who hasn’t had a Derby winner since Thunder Gulch.
Team #6 is on the clock — here’s the Commish…
With the 6th pick in the Derby 150 fantasy draft, Team #6 selects — FOREVER YOUNG (20-1) Sakai / Yahagi) UAE Derby winner is undefeated and has that grinder style that can put him close. They’re going to win this race someday, maybe as soon as 5/4.
Team #7’s pick is in, here’s the Commissioner…
With the 7th pick in the Derby 150 fantasy draft, Team #7 selects — JUST STEEL (25-1) Asmussen / Lukas. The current wise guy horse couldn’t catch Muth in the Arkansas Derby but was running gamely late for 2nd. Serious player if the race falls apart and the top 2 falter. Never bet against the Coach.
Team #8 is on the clock, here’s the Commish…
With the 8th pick of the Derby 150 fantasy draft, Team #8 selects — STRONGHOLD (25-1) Fresu / D’Amato. Beat nothing in the very weak Santa Anita Derby, but it was the way he did it. He showed the grit you need to win the world’s toughest race. The Italian jockey is very talented.
Team #9’s pick is in, so let’s go to the Commissioner…
With the 9th pick in the Derby 150 fantasy draft, Team #9 selects — HONOR MARIE (30-1) Curtis / Beckman. This horse has a win over the CD surface and has a serious kick down the stretch. Looked like the winner of the Louisiana Derby but could not hold off Catching Freedom. Very serious player who will be overlooked because of unknown connections.
Team #10 is on the clock and the pick is in…
With the 10th pick in the Derby 150 fantasy draft, Team #10 selects — RESILIENCE (30-1) Jock is TBD / Mott. Improved greatly with blinkers in the Wood. Had a perfect stalking trip. Not sure he can win it, but his Hall of Fame trainer might take issue with that. Could hit the board easily.
The best of the rest
#11 — ENDLESSLY — has yet to run on dirt and owners have yet to commit to go, but the Jeff Ruby winner has the talent if he can handle the surface change. His work the other day indicated that he may not. He was struggling to keep up with the workmate.
#12 — ENCINO — won Battaglia and then the Lexington but must question why he hasn’t tackled the big boys. Godolphin and Cox are high on him so expect a big effort.
#13 — DOMESTIC PRODUCT — beat a very weak field in the Tampa Bay Derby. Must respect the connections, however.
#14 — SOCIETY MAN — ran an even 2nd to Resilience in the Wood. Another trained by Gargan. Good enough?
#15 — MYSTIC DAN — beat Just Steel in the slop in the Southwest. Could be he just prefers an off track. If the track is off on Derby Day he’s got to move up.
#16 — CATALYTIC — someone had to finish to Fierceness in Florida Derby.
#17 — WEST SARATOGA — no match for Endlessly in the Jeff Ruby. Would be a huge surprise to win but could clunk up for minor awards.
#18 — TRACK PHANTOM — many have higher but has serious distance concerns. Should be on the lead in the Derby.
#19 — GRAND MO THE FIRST — will draw in when Deterministic officially scratches. Derby fever grabs everyone this time of year. Huge price.
#20 — T.O. PASSWORD — the password is “impossible.”
OAKS NOTES
The Oaks is shaping up to be a very competitive race. Probably even more so than the Derby. I have been keeping an eye on a few that I think will run huge races. Right now, my pick to win the Oaks is Fantasy Stakes winner Thorpedo Anna. Mc Peek happened to mention that he was considering a race against the boys but changed his mind. This looks like a serious racehorse folks. Her work the other day at Churchill was a jaw dropper. Another one to watch is Chad Brown’s Ways and Means. She had a horrible trip in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. She could rebound and make for a very huge weekend for the Brown barn. Fairgrounds Oaks winner Tarifa and Ashland winner Leslie’s Rose could be co-favorites. Don’t give up on BC Juvenile Filly champ Just F.Y.I. She returned from a long layoff due to injury to run a very good 2nd in the Ashland. She should be back in form and ready to go.