Kentucky Derby

We%26#39;ll be in Vegas for the Kentucky Derby so naturally I must bet on it-must bet on everything while I%26#39;m there! So does anyone know any of the leading contenders as of yet?

Kentucky Derby

It%26#39;s a long way until the first Saturday in May and many prep races are yet to be run. The link below will show you the top 24 horses or so as of the first Derby futures pool. EASIEST way to pick your horse? Pick up USA Today the day before the race, look at all the expert analysis, horses, etc. and who the ';expert writers'; select and then cross out all the horses that more than 3 of those guys picked. The ';bandwagons'; are always wrong. For instance, I believe 2 out of 20 of those guys/gals selected Smarty Jones last year.

kentuckyderby.com/2005/…

Kentucky Derby

I will be there Ky Derby week myself, however I will be coming home the day before the Derby. I am from Kentucky and its considered a sin if you dont do one of two things on Derby day. Either you go to the derby itself, or throw a party at your house. Regardless you are always intoxicated by post time.

My money at this time is on Afleet Alex. Great looking colt and is training very well right now. Should get decent odds as well. Hopefully after clearing the tears from my eyes from singing My Old Kentucky Home I will see Alex under the wire in front of the pack. Good luck and have a great time.

GO BABY GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

derbyboy -- greatest road trip in my life was to the Kentucky Derby in 1978 back in my college days in RI. I was a diehard Alydar fan, I remain a diehard Alydar fan, and to my dying day I will believe that Alydar was the superior horse. (Certainly his record as a stallion, prior to his murder, bear me out. And I still get goosebumps watching the video of his son Alysheba%26#39;s Derby victory. What an unbelievable race that was!)

drake:

Agree on Alydar, I thought he was a better horse than Affirmed. I followed his sons religiously also with Alysheba being my favorite and then Strike The Gold and Easy Goer. You know what really s*cks is that last I heard, Alysheba was standing in Saudi Arabia and Strike The Gold was standing in Turkey. What a shame, where are the great American breeders anymore?

Steve--Alysheba%26#39;s in Saudi Arabia? Didn%26#39;t know that...that%26#39;s a real shame. I hope JVB or someone in that greedy family who retired him too darn soon finds a way to bring him home before he ends up as someone%26#39;s dinner in France. One more year in racing and he would%26#39;ve been remembered in the top pantheon of greats.

And Strike the Gold in Turkey? I didn%26#39;t even know they raced in Turkey!

I remember after Alydar%26#39;s retirement waiting year after year for one of his colts to emerge. When Alysheba won, even after clipping heels and almost going down at the top of the stretch, what a thrill it was and remains.

Great to hear from another Alydar fan!

Drake, considering the fact that 1978 was the year of my birth I didn%26#39;t exactly see that derby live. I do however have a collection of derby videos that has that year on it and he looked very impressive. I have been several times to the derby and it is an experience that everyone should have at least once in a lifetime. However for my money you cant beat the beauty of Keeneland. If anyone is ever in the Lexington area just let me know and Ill show you around Keeneland and the historic farms in the area. And a trip to the horse park to see Cigar is always worth the trip.

Derbyboy:

I LOVE Keeneland and will probably watch my next Kentucky Derby there rather than CD. I%26#39;ve been to four Breeder%26#39;s Cups at CD (1991, 1994, 1998 and 2000) and love Louisville for that day of racing, but I%26#39;ll pass on the Derby madness.

One of these days I%26#39;m going to the Derby!! I want to wear a fussy hat, sing My Old Kentucky Home and drink too many mint juleps. I know I%26#39;ll pay way too much but I%26#39;ve just got to do it. I went to the 2003 Breeder%26#39; Cup but it just wasn%26#39;t the same.

I%26#39;ve been in Vegas several times for the Triple Crown races but the best was the Preakness last year. The Sports Book at the Mirage was PACKED with screaming Smarty Jones fans. There was a mixed boo/applause response for Rock Hard Ten but the place went nuts when Smarty Jones came out. Great fun!

My Derby pick is a long shot from Northern California: Lost in the Fog has won 3 of 3 and he looks great! I hope you have a great time and win lots!

lahain..:

You might want to make plans for Breeder%26#39;s Cup 2006 at Churchill Downs. I%26#39;ve been to four Breeder%26#39;s Cups at CD and two Derbies and the Breeder%26#39;s Cups were ALL much more fun and exciting days. 120,000 folks Derby Day vs. 75,000 BC Day and SEVEN Championship races vs. ONE Kentucky Derby.

Room rates were also less than half for BC vs. Derby.

Staunchsteve: I know what you are saying and I agree that the BC racing is better. Having said that, I%26#39;ve just got to go to that Derby. What can I say? I%26#39;m a sucker for the tradition.