"That's not a vernacular. That's a Derby."

Finally, the greatest sports day of the year is here. Two sports that no one cares about except me take center stage today. It's the Kentucky Derby and Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in the biggest fight in recent memory. Plus, it's Cinco de Mayo, too. Bueno.

Kentucky Derby

Do you know Arlington Park in Chicago has a Derbypalooza today? What do we get at Thistledown, face painting? The thing you notice right off the bat is how slow the Derby preps were run this year. Plus, we have some horses that are fighting history, others with long layoffs, a few who shouldn't be here, some wiseguy horses and some overlooked ones. Let's take a look.

Any Given Saturday is a Todd Pletcher-trained horse. Pletcher's record in the Derby, 0-14. This is the wiseguy horse, even though he's coming from post 18. Horse likes to lay back and finish with a kick. Gave Street Sense all he could handle at Tampa, but threw in a stinker in the Wood. Can't overlook him.

Circular Quay, another Pletcher trainee. Out of Thunder Gulch, a Derby winner. Already a million dollar winner. Coming off an 8-week layoff. That sounds insane. But Rags to Riches, a Pletcher filly, came off the same sort of layoff and won the Kentucky Oaks yesterday. Another late runner.

Curlin. Steve Asmussen trains. Has raced only three times as a three-year old and historically, that's betting death in this race. Later in the year, maybe, but not today.

Nobiz Like Shobiz is trained by Barclay Tagg, who also trained Derby-winner Funny Cide. Cannot win because Bruce Drennan would write a song about him. Oh, wait, he can't because "All Bets Are Off". Won the Wood, so don't overlook.

Scat Daddy is out of Johannesburg and trained by who else, Todd Pletcher. Pletcher has five horses entered today. Remember Johannesburg? He won the BC Juvenile a few years back. Anyhow, this is your Florida Derby winner. The knock is those times were slow, as he also won the Champagne and Fountain of Youth.

Street Sense is trained by Carl Nafzger, who also trained Unbridled, a Derby winner. Street Sense is out of Street Cry, a Dubai World Cup winner. Hard to knock this horse. He is trying to become the first Breeders Cup Juvenile winner at 2, to win the Derby at 3. Will be the favorite, as he can rate pretty good and make his move. Eventually, this jinx will go away and he has the skills. Haven't had a two-year old champ win the Derby since Spectacular Bid. Sunny's Halo was the last Derby winner to win off of only two preps. That's '79 and '83 if you're scoring at home, but a boatload of history to overcome.



















My pick: Circular Quay. I think we'll get a good price and Pletcher's unorthodox move worked for the Oaks, why can't it work today for the Derby?

The Last Great Fight

That's what the press is calling it. Let me tell you, I refuse to watch UFC, so if boxing's gonna die, well, I'm goin' down for the ten count with it. Floyd Mayweather is the favorite tonight, but Oscar de la Hoya has been gaining betting momentum this week. It reminds me of Super Bowls, where there tend to be clear cut favorites until the week before and people start dreaming. This is the largest box office for a live gate and has potential to be the biggest PPV in boxing history, surpassing Tyson-Holyfield II.

OK, who's gonna win?

Let's look at Oscar. Only 3 bouts in the last 3 years. But I always say, "Never underestimate Oscar at the lower weights." Tonight's bout is at 154, an ideal weight for him. Oscar is taller and will outweigh Mayweather, so he can use that reach. Big left hand from Oscar, too. He needs to cut off that ring, counterpunch and stick to business. I don't wanna see Oscar start strong and then quit in the later rounds, but that potential exists.

The unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is the current golden goose in boxing. Everyone wants to fight him because they know they'll get the big payday. He came in at 150 and let's not forget he did most of his damage at 140. Superior handspeed is his strength, and that will be a problem for Oscar. He is very good at avoiding punches. Not the best when using his jab, leads with the power punch quite a bit. If he gets in and gets out, he can do some damage. But when he decides to come in, Oscar can time that and might be able to land some blows. I think Mayweather's style points to this being a long fight and will go the distance.



















My pick: Oscar de la Hoya, in an Elwayesque swan song.

Meal of Links

Someone paid $10 million for the General Lee. No wonder they hate us.

The 10 worst Spider-Man tie-ins. The underwear made me laugh. And speaking of spider sense, Spidey's was really lacking in this latest movie.

It's the annual all you ever wanted to know about Cinco de Mayo article. Have a cerveza today.

Hitch takes on God. Not Lou Dobbs, God.



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