Saturday, May 03, 2008

As predicted, the obvious choice today for the Kentucky Derby was Big Brown.















As I wrote earlier:

Extremely weak field today, one of the weakest I've ever seen. Only three horses at less than 15-1 on the opening line. The knocks against Big Brown are the Number 20 post and not enough races. Both of those knocks are gonna eventually go, as no one really races a lot anymore and a horse will win once from the far outside, so why not this year? Big Brown won from the extreme outside at Gulfstream in the Florida Derby, a rarity. I think anything above the 3-1 morning line is quite the overlay, so go all in with a win bet on Big Brown.

The race developed somewhat the way I thought. We know Big Brown did not need the lead, and he didn't take it at the start. I thought the time for the half-mile was a very slow 47.1, that helped Big Brown. He cruised from that point forward. He destroyed the field by 5, and it was another 4 or 5 lengths back to third. Probably won't get mentioned much, but Calvin Borel almost duplicated his Street Sense ride on Denis of Cork for third today, hugging the rail almost from the start. Too bad he didn't have Street Sense today. And, of course, it was awful to see Eight Belles have to be euthanized on the track, breaking both front ankles after finishing second. The disturbing thing was NBC had a lingering shot of the horse lying down on the track and normally that's a no-no on TV coverage.

I know they don't run on paper, but who will step up for a challenge at the Preakness? Not one from today's field, I assure you.

Meal of Links

Recipes for Cinco de Mayo. Some of these are standard fare, but still look pretty good. I'm getting an early start with some burritos tonight.

This guy wants Hollywood to stop trying to kill Robert Downey, Jr.. Repeat "It's only a movie..."

Hey, Cuban. You're gettin' a Dell.

They are still trying to figure out the mystery of Stonehenge. Eddie Izzard chimes in:



Then there's always Carhenge. It's a bit closer.

Exercise Yard

The NFL Draft may hit the road. LA doesn't have a team, but they want the draft.

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34 Down: "Spanish Eyes" singer (9 letters) Answer: Al Martino

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