The first Saturday in May always sends chills down the spines of horse-racing fans. This excitement comes not from feelings for the upcoming Mifflin Block Party but for the Kentucky Derby at the famed Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Race day is a spectacle to behold. Along with top celebrities that make the trip (usually to waste their money), one can view plenty of wealthy 75-year-olds parading around with their 25-year-old trophy wives. In addition to mingling with the rich and famous, there is the infield of Churchill Downs. For only $25, one can gain entrance to the infield and bring in a cooler containing anything. By the 10th race, almost six hours after the initial one, the revelry gets out of control and the infield looks like the setting for an episode of “Wild On!” or “Girls Gone Wild.” Needless to say, none of these people are concerned with the Kentucky Derby itself.
For race enthusiasts, this year’s Derby offers loads of excitement. All eyes will be focused on trainer Robert “Bobby” Frankel, who is saddling the two top favorites in the race. Peace Rules is the first of Frankel’s dynamic duo; all this colt did was win the Grade II Louisiana Derby March 9 and the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes April 12. Even with this notable resume, though, Peace Rules is thought to be the weaker of Frankel’s contenders. This is because Empire Maker, the trainer’s other horse, is considered the strongest horse in the Derby field. After impressively winning the Grade I Florida Derby March 15 and the Grade I Wood Memorial April 12, the praise is well deserved. Even with a recent foot injury, he will be the heavy favorite on Derby day. His odds will probably bottom out around even money, making Empire Maker’s odds the lowest odds since Arazi, who ran eighth in 1992.
Even though Empire Maker will be the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby, there is still plenty of other talent to consider on race day.
Trainer Bob Baffert, who trained last year’s Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem, will saddle a strong horse this year. In trying to win his fourth Derby in seven years, Baffert’s is investing his hopes in Indian Express, a speedy horse that raced in Panama before coming to the U.S. and placing second in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby on April 5 to Buddy Gil.
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas also starts a horse in this year’s Derby. Scrimshaw, winner of the Grade II Coolmore Lexington Stakes April 19, is Lukas’s best prospect to cross the finish first. Lukas is hoping for a repeat of 1999, when his horse, Charismatic, won the Lexington and went on to win the Derby and Preakness.
Two other horses to watch are Buddy Gil and Ten Most Wanted. For trainer Jeff Mullins, Buddy Gil has won the Grade II San Felipe Stakes March 16 and beat Bob Baffert hopeful Indian Express on his way to winning the Santa Anita Derby. Ten Most Wanted is trying to become the second horse in as many years to win the Illinois Derby and the Kentucky Derby in the same year, a feat accomplished by War Emblem.
Besides these colts, there will be an additional 10 to 15 running for the roses. That means that there will be plenty of combinations to figure.
One has three choices on Derby day. The first is to try to figure out the winner using the race program and any other information one can gather about the horses. The second option is to choose a horse based on frivolous information such as the colors of the horse on race day. Keep in mind, many times this latter option is just as successful as the former. The final option for a person: Do not bet on the race, go to the infield, get drunk, and awaken hours later after being prodded by a security guard.
So many choices, so much money to be made.
