As usual the red-headed stepchild of the Triple Crown is being overlooked. It doesn't have the pomp and posh of the KY Derby nor the drama of a possible Triple Crown winning event of the Belmont.
The post positions will be drawn this afternoon. It looks like there will be a field of ten. Several of the horses are obviously hoping to cash a check for coming in 3rd, 4th or 5th.
The closest horses to giving California Chrome a challenge seem to be the enigmatic Bayern, the previous Derby favorite but very lightly raced Social Inclusion and Ride on Curlin. But I don't think any of them have a chance unless they freak.
Bayern can be scintillating or very ordinary.
Social Inclusion can be great but has little experience.
Ride on Curlin had a brutal trip in the KY Derby. Of course, I don't think he would have won anyway. A case could be made that he should have come in second. He was never a threat.
It's bizarre that the filly Ria Antonia is running Saturday. Her new owners saw how badly she ran in the KY Oaks. Why they would take on the boys so shortly afterwards seems a huge reach and ego driven.
California Chrome can leave and sit almost anywhere Espinoza wants to put hom. Then he'll pass the speed and dare anyone to catch him from behind. My guess is he goes off 3/5 or 1/2.
Like the Derby, I will be looking for a Pick 4. It's unlikely it will be as easy as the one that hit on Derby Day as I doubt there will be a second free spot like Wise Dan was. Hopefully there will be a 5x4x3 (or 4) that can pay something.
The might actually be some bridge jumpers on Saturday. A bridge jumper is someone who bets 50,000 or 100,000 or 500,000 on a lock to show. They do so to get 5% interest (the minimum a horse can pay to show is $2.10 for a $2 bet). They are called bridge jumpers because when a horse like this doesn't hit the board, they might jump off a bridge.
The post positions will be drawn this afternoon. It looks like there will be a field of ten. Several of the horses are obviously hoping to cash a check for coming in 3rd, 4th or 5th.
The closest horses to giving California Chrome a challenge seem to be the enigmatic Bayern, the previous Derby favorite but very lightly raced Social Inclusion and Ride on Curlin. But I don't think any of them have a chance unless they freak.
Bayern can be scintillating or very ordinary.
Social Inclusion can be great but has little experience.
Ride on Curlin had a brutal trip in the KY Derby. Of course, I don't think he would have won anyway. A case could be made that he should have come in second. He was never a threat.
It's bizarre that the filly Ria Antonia is running Saturday. Her new owners saw how badly she ran in the KY Oaks. Why they would take on the boys so shortly afterwards seems a huge reach and ego driven.
California Chrome can leave and sit almost anywhere Espinoza wants to put hom. Then he'll pass the speed and dare anyone to catch him from behind. My guess is he goes off 3/5 or 1/2.
Like the Derby, I will be looking for a Pick 4. It's unlikely it will be as easy as the one that hit on Derby Day as I doubt there will be a second free spot like Wise Dan was. Hopefully there will be a 5x4x3 (or 4) that can pay something.
The might actually be some bridge jumpers on Saturday. A bridge jumper is someone who bets 50,000 or 100,000 or 500,000 on a lock to show. They do so to get 5% interest (the minimum a horse can pay to show is $2.10 for a $2 bet). They are called bridge jumpers because when a horse like this doesn't hit the board, they might jump off a bridge.
