Lawyer Ron will win the Kentucky Derby.
There you go. Sit back, sip your mint julep and amaze friends with your horse knowledge. Just send my 10 percent on Monday.
Most Americans care about horse racing one day annually. Marylanders add a second for the Preakness Stakes on May 20. And if the Triple Crown is a possibility, then circle June 10 for the Belmont Stakes. Otherwise, horse racing draws a niche audience.
This is the first time since 1986 I’m not sitting at Churchill Downs. For those who have never smelled the roses, seen the wild hats, drank a nasty mint julep or even bet on a horse, let me just say you’re missing out on the best day in sports.
It starts in the early hours when fans line up long before the gates open at 8 a.m. The sun rises over the Twin Spires at 6 a.m. as the backstretch buzzes over 150,000 people soon to arrive. It is the spring prom in Louisville where women dress to impress, men don a sports coat and reunions fill the infield. The Preakness is a lot less formal, but roughly the same spring celebration.
By 11 a.m., the first race is off and everyone begins studying their Racing Form. A millionaire can ask advice from a bum and no one thinks twice. It’s a big-money day in the industry as fans nationwide head to tracks. Indeed, Laurel Park, Rosecroft Raceway and Pimlico all accept Derby wagering, as do many Internet Web sites.
Everyone wants to get lucky.
By 5 p.m., the horses take “The Walk” from the barn area to the paddock. The railbirds cheer their favorites and jeer their foes as the trainers and owners lead the horses around the track. The energy is enormous as veteran racegoers begin looking for signs of horses unnerved by the noise.
Ten minutes before post time, horses return to the track to “My Old Kentucky Home.” If you’re not teary when the crowd sings “weep no more, my lady” head to the nearest cemetery and jump into a hole.
Twenty horses spring from the starting gate for the 1 1/4 mile race. This might be one of the deeper fields of contenders in recent years. Four undefeated horses, several brilliant early speedsters and plenty of savvy trainers and jockeys.
Maryland’s Sweetnorthernsaint figures to rate among the early front-runners, but the bad part is no one leading this race midway is going to be around at the end. The key to handicapping many Derbies — and take this from someone who has won two of 20 with a $42 winner and lots of seconds — is finding the horse who can stay a few lengths back of the lead until the final turn and have a jockey good enough to weave through tiring horses to take the lead early in the stretch.
Lawyer Ron, Brother Derek, Point Determined and A.P. Warrior are the ones to watch late. Lawyer Ron has won six straight out of Arkansas, but has a young rider. Brother Derek could be golden if not too compromised early by the No. 18 post. Point Determined is the son of Point Given, who won two-thirds of the Triple Crown but lost the Derby because of a bad ride. A.P. Warrior’s trainer John Shirreffs won the Derby last year with 50 to 1 long shot Giacomo.
Go with your gut when betting. My triple will read Lawyer Ron, Point Determined and A.P. Warrior with a $2 long shot play on Sweetnorthernsaint.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
