If one of my favorite bands of all time is The Police, then why can't one of my favorite sweets of all time win...Chocolate Candy? Truthfully I expect Pioneerof the Nile or Quality Road to win the derby.
Photo: S. Dorman
Caption: Giacomo
Many of you have negative thoughts on closers in the race with no "speed" represented in the Derby this year. I am still going to cheer for Chocolate Candy. For me, this year is truthfully going to come down to one word: Paddock. I will have to see the horses in the paddock this year to really judge who will be in good shape in a matched field of competition. How do you plan on using pace in your handicapping for the Kentucky Derby?
Scouting the competition with my favorites:
The tool I am using is our neat horse profile feature. These profiles list the horse's information, and stories related with the horse.
1 Pioneerof the Nile $1,193,250 (last three races 3-0-0)
Being an Empire Maker is a big advantage for me in picking this horse. I love Empire Maker. The experience of Baffert and Gomez will be a great advantage in the Derby this year. Baffert is officially in the hall of fame. It is a sign that he is going to cement his legacy.
Gary Stevens said on HRTV's Pursuit of the Crown, Pioneerof the Nile had no problems working on dirt and weather didn't bother his work either. He will get the mile and quarter from what I can see.
Pedigree Profile by Alan Porter
2 Chocolate Candy $370,000 (last three races 2-1-0) Trainer: Hollendorfer Jockey: Mike Smith
This horse grabbed me as a two-year-old so I am sticking with him. Meeting Chocolate Candy's dad this past winter, and knowing how well Candy Ride's
3-year-olds are doing this year, Chocolate Candy has an advantage. I think pace will appear in the race, and help with a set up in the stretch. It has been a big year for Candy Ride's offspring.
Pedigree Profile by Avalyn Hunter
3 Quality Road (Elusive Quality) $600,000 (last three races 2-1-0) Trainer: James Jerkins
The "Giant Killers" revenge via son James Jerkins. Quality Road just has a spark I like.
Pedigree Profile by Alan Porter
4 Friesan Fire $570,465 (last three races 3-0-0) Trainer: Larry Jones
An A. P. Indy who is 3-0 and is trained by Larry Jones. That is enough to boast, even with a 7 week layoff.
Pedigree Profile by Avalyn Hunter
5 I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even) $774,000 (last three races: 2-0-1) Jockey: Joe Talamo
After watching a few interviews by people who have surrounded Joe, from jockeys to trainers, they seem confident he is Derby ready. I previously counted him out due to his rookie status in the KY Derby. Now I have been put at ease and feel if he races this like any other race, he will do fine...the question is can he handle the pressure and lime light, but I think he can.
Pedigree Profile by Avalyn Hunter
6 Mr. Hot Stuff (last three races 1-0-2) $114,000
A tiznow and full brother to a favorite Derby pick of mine last year, Colonel Jon. Yet Mr. Hot Stuff will be a price and has what it takes to finish in the money.
7 General Quarters $595,645
8 Musket Man $485,000
9 Hold Me Back $438,000
10 Dunkirk $150,000 (not enough graded experience for me)
We are launching an exclusive video series of Past Derby Winners. New video added daily, one of the horses featured is Giacomo. Check our video portal every day for the newest video to watch. I believe there are 8 in all. Then start watching for daily news minutes and special Derby episodes of our weekly shows!
Photo: S. Dorman
Caption: Giacomo
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Radio Time:
Check out some of us on the radio...
Tuesday, April 28:
The Francene Show. Steve Haskin will appear on WHAS 840 AM at 11:10 a.m. ET (11:10-11:30). Steve will discuss all things Derby… history, behind the scenes, great moments, etc. To listen to the live stream, visit: http://whas.com/main.html Click on the “Listen Live” button.
Thursday, April 30:
ABC/ESPN Radio Affiliates across the country. Steve Haskin will appear on several ESPN/ABC Radio affiliates at 5:30 ET (5:30-6:05 ET approx.) Steve will preview the Kentucky Derby as part of an ABC “radio tour” (speaking to 3-4 stations across the country for 8 minutes each).
Schedule of specific stations TBD on Wed., April 29 by ABC.
Friday, May 1 – Oaks Day:
The Francene Show. Jason Shandler will appear on WHAS 840 AM at 10:35 a.m. ET (10:35-10:55). Jason will handicap the Oaks field. To listen to the live stream, visit: http://whas.com/main.html Click on the “Listen Live” button.
Saturday, May 2 – Derby Day:
WGSO Sports with Sports Director Ken Trahan. Dan Liebman will appear on WGSO 990 AM in Louisiana between 10-11 a.m. CENTRAL TIME. (9-10 ET) To listen to the live stream, visit: http://wgso.com/home/listen-now.html
