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  Well, we are finally here. Time to make Derby selections. Considering the inconsistency of many of the top 3-year-olds, inexperience of some of the contenders (mainly Big Brown), and trying to decipher how these synthetic track horses will run on the Churchill dirt, this year's handicapping challenge has been daunting. But after being ...

By Patrick Patten First, a blog is always about helping people and a “n00b” is slang for newbie, or rookie. You’re welcome. So, you’re also new to the Kentucky Derby, and you’re looking to make your first pick and not look too foolish. Have no fear; I’m here to help you. Don’t pick the favorite; it’s a total rookie mistake. The favorite has ...

Courtesy of The New York Times Dean Keppler, author of Betting the Kentucky Derby: How to Wager and Win on America’s Biggest Horse Race from DRF Press, discussed his approach to betting the Derby earlier this week. Now with the post positions set, he gives us his picks:1) PYRO2) ADRIANO3) Z FORTUNEFor his reasoning and more on how to bet ...

A few minutes ago, I posted some notes about Saturday's Kentucky Derby and name my favorites.  I'd like to know who you think should win it, based solely on pedigree.  Check out this week's poll.

I made the trip to Louisville safely and awoke at 4:30am to prep my self for the track with my partners in media crime. The track was very busy, dare I say swamped today. Everyone seemed to be in high hopes and in good terms. Trainers, horses, grounds personnel, and even the track shuttle driver told some dry jokes at 6:00am, too early to really ...

This poll has ended.  The question was:  Derby 134 Pedigree Picks: Whose pedigree do you like best?

BloodHorse.com experiences a predictable and understandable bump in traffic in the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby.*  This year, fans would need to set aside a whole day to see all of the content available on the Web site. I've mentioned my friend Jason Shandler's Triple Crown Talk blog and the Triple Crown Mania home page before; now I ...

With the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands mere days away, we thought it was worth giving TrueNicks a tryout on the leading contenders. TrueNicks came through its Derby Trial with flying colors. Of the top 24 contenders at time of writing, nine (37.5%) were A++; 17 (71%) were A or above; 21 (87.5%) were B+ or higher. Of the remaining three, ...

Win, lose or post position draw, this should be the final year that Kentucky Derby eligibility is determined by earnings, graded or otherwise.The system has outlived its utility and no longer makes sense. Twenty Derby starters is the modern rule, not the exception. And it matters not whether that this year’s draw involving the filly Eight Belles ...

By Peter Blair, NYTimes.comIf you watched the Kentucky Derby post position draw Wednesday on ESPN2, perhaps you caught a glimpse of the internationally famous sports artist LeRoy Neiman — how could you miss his mustache? — scribbling away in the crowd. Neiman’s artwork will be an important part of Derby day. To celebrate the 35th anniversary of ...