Any other horse racing fans here? I feel like there ought to be, considering how well a cigar pairs with a day at the track.

Post positions for the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby were drawn moments ago. Take Charge Indy's spot is most intriguing, as he broke from the 3rd spot when he took a wire-to-wire victory in the Florida Derby. He'll also have the same jockey, Calvin Borel, on board. Union Rags was the favorite in all the futures pools, but it'll be very interesting to see how his third-place Fl Derby finish and the subsequent races by other contenders factor into the odds. I'll be posting the Morning Line when it is available.

1- Daddy Long Legs
2- Optimizer
3- Take Charge Indy
4- Union Rags
5- Dullahan
6- Bodemeister
7- Rousing Sermon
8- Creative Cause
9- Trinniberg
10- Daddy Knows Best
11- Alpha
12- Prospective
13- Went The Day Well
14- Hansen
15- Gemologist
16- El Padrino
17- Done Talking
18- Sabercat
19- I'll Have Another
20- Liaison
Also Eligible: My Adonis
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Love the Derby. When I was growing up we would work cows every holiday as there were extra people around to work. I don't ever remember being back in time for the meal as scheduled.

The Derby was the one exception. We would always be in by post time.

I have loved Union Rags since the beginning of the season and am still in that camp. Hansen is a longer shot soft spot for me because of the local ties.
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There is a Kentucky Derby contest on here every year (along with the other big races). Even people who have no idea what they are doing (me!) have fun with it.
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Just remember that not everyone with access to this thread has access to the Contests sub-forum.
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Ah yes, good point. :-)
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No apology needed, MJ.
Just wanted to clear up any "where can I find the contest?" confusion.
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Been to the Derby many times and love it, especially with a good cigar and great friends. I like Union Rags myself, but am no handicaper. Heading to the track tomorrow to make my annual donation to Churchill Downs. Never can win, but only take what I expect to lose. Steve
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Like me :-)


I'd love to have the chance to attend the Derby. This year, I was fortunate enough to go see the Florida Derby, but even with a record 18,000 in attendance there, I feel like Churchill Downs would have such a better atmosphere.
Also, I second the donations sentiment. Even betting by the numbers hasn't gotten me anywhere.
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Additional sub-forums come with time and participation. Stick around and you'll have access before you know it. (Probably not for the KY Derby, though. :-))
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Haha, it's all good. I've got plenty of patience to go around. And I'll just take it out on yall next year. :-)
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1- Daddy Long Legs 30-1
2- Optimizer 50-1
3- Take Charge Indy 15-1
4- Union Rags 9-2
5- Dullahan 8-1
6- Bodemeister 4-1
7- Rousing Sermon 50-1
8- Creative Cause 12-1
9- Trinniberg 50-1
10- Daddy Knows Best 15-1
11- Alpha 15-1
12- Prospective 30-1
13- Went The Day Well 20-1
14- Hansen 10-1
15- Gemologist 6-1
16- El Padrino 20-1
17- Done Talking 50-1
18- Sabercat 30-1
19- I'll Have Another 12-1
20- Liaison 50-1

Didn't see the edit button on my original post >.>
Here is the morning line. Arkansas Derby champ Bodemeister opens as the favorite, with Union Rags a close second. Gemologist has gotten solid attention lately; he will have Javier Castellano, the winningest jockey thus far in 2012, aboard, and is 2-for-2 in graded stakes. Interestingly enough, none of Churchill Downs' sponsored experts has Bodemeister figuring in the superfecta, let alone competing for the win. In my opinion, Take Charge Indy offers a very solid price at 15-1, though I'm admittedly a bit biased having seen him run first hand.
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I am a big fan. I worked for a time at The Fairgrounds, the 3rd Oldest racetrack in America
behind only Saratoga and Pimlico. Once you get around those horses, look out. But I do not
get out to the OTB much, so I have let my racing jones die out. I am sure I will watch the
run for the roses, though.....I am gonna take a 4-16 Exacta plus a $20 win on the 4.
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I'll be at beautiful Monmouth Park. I haven't decided on my bets yet.
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Very interesting choice. Also, it's pretty cool that you worked at Fairgrounds. I've bet their simulcasts a few times.

I'll be watching from Calder. I'm a bit bummed that the Gulfstream season ends before the Triple Crown, because that's far and away a nicer facility than Calder.

I also have yet to make my decision, but I came across a gem of a mathematical breakdown of the field: http://xpressbet.com/ReadPostTime?id=3963
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Very Interesting article.
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So, you're a Gulfstream Park guy. We share the same track announcer, Larry Collmus. Is he calling the Derby again this year?
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I knew his voice sounded familiar when I heard him calling the races at Gulfstream, I just couldn't place it. He will indeed be calling the Crown Jewels again this year.
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M.J., I don't see your picks yet in the contest! Anyone else that can see the thread is welcome to play. Keep posting Galen, you'll get there.
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Ah! Totally spaced!
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What a coincidence...I SHOT their simulcast ALL the times, lol.
I was up in a tower at the end of the backstretch, shooting that view for the OTB feed. Granted, this was 20 years ago.
As the odds shake out, I am sticking with my pick. NOT Scientific, The Fairgrounds original name was "Union Racecourse"
translating to Union Rags, and I went with El Padrino because of the cigar-type connection. I imagine it's not unlike the
"gray horse" phenomenon betting. I selected Union Rags before I knew he was a favorite. never won BIG with this kind
of foolishness, but I have WON with name-picking. I find it's as good as anything else. I've scoured the DRF before and
went home as broke as ever.
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