Today is the day we will start to see the favorites for next month's Kentucky Derby make their way to the top of the odds board. Three races will decide today those that will bear much responsibility next month in making the most exciting two minutes in sports truly that. The Wood Memorial, Bluegrass Stakes and Santa Anita Derby should all be exciting for many reasons. For today, one could be the weather as Lexington is expected to have a cold afternoon, Santa Anita has a 90% chance of rain and New York will have rain sleet or snow as well. These conditions will make it very interesting to test the horses as well as the distance and the other contenders as well. Old and new faces will battle it out for a place in history.
Wood Memorial
The first race to be held today is the Wood Memorial over a mile and an eighth at Aqueduct in New York. Over the years, this race has brought many Derby contenders and winners, into the spotlight. Although no winner of the Wood has worn the roses since Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000. No winner has come from the Wood since Funny Cide in 2003. Many people point that this race has not produced winners and gripe, but it has not only produced numerous favorites in this century, but has had unfair treatment in that one must throw out two of those winners who could have easily won the Derby and should have. Eskendereya and I Want Revenge would have been the favorites for the Roes by a lot. For whatever reason, it did not happen though and we must keep searching. This year, the Wood posts no firm favorite. Shagaf will go off as the favorite with Outwork and Matt King Cole not far behind. This race is so unpredictable it will be so much fun to watch. I do not know what to expect from Matt King Cole because I cannot find the race that he won a month ago. He is 3-1 on the morning line and will probably go to the lead. Outwork I like in the Tampa Bay Derby, but I'm not sue of the contenders in that race especially with the uncharacteristic Brody's Cause who did not show his true talent. Shagaf has similar issues with his Gotham win. Predicting this race will be difficult.
1. Outwork
2. Matt King Cole
3. Shagaf
Bluegrass Stakes
The Bluegrass boasts ten contenders. Last year, the first Bluegrass on grass in a while, propelled Carpe Diem on tot the Derby as a contenders who fizzled to finish seventh. This year, the race is also a toss up between one of three or four contenders. Brody's Cause will do much better than in the Tampa Bay Derby and has a win over this track. Zulu looked impressive against Mohaymen but after the Florida Derby, that race looks less impressive. In a field with 14 entries, it is fine for a horse like My Man Sam to break from the far outside because he will get to the back without much problem he is 10-1. Donegal Moon could also make a play but has not faced high competition. Star Hill could also hit the board. In a race like this also, look for a long shot to hit the board.
1. Zulu
2. My Man Sam
3. Brody's Cause
Santa Anita Derby
The least wide-open race, this horse looks as though it will be between only two horses with one more who could make a play. Mor Spirit looked good coming back in the San Felipe to take second and was a contender for a while. Owned by the same owners of One Lucky Dane last year who did not get to the starting gates due to injury and they are also the same owners of Eskendereya. Could this be their horse? Danzing Candy also looked good in the San Felipe and will go to the lead without a doubt. He could definitely lead wire to wire in the factored rain. Rain is the biggest competition for these young and relatively untested horses. I think the race will come at the stretch with Mor Spirit coming back from the pack and Danzing Candy trying to hold on. The last horse to consider is Smokey's Image. He was 6-6 coming into the San Felipe but did not go on. the question is whether that was just a bump and he will be back in full force today or whether that were his true colors. I think he will fire back today but probably will not win.
1. Mor Spirit
2. Danzing Candy
3. Smokey Image
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