Kentucky Derby Picks?
Hoops and horse racing seem to be long lost friends. Rick Pitino has been a prominent owner, as has Bobby Hurley, the former Duke superstar.
My Dad is a basketball junkie, but more than anything else he's a horse racing fanatic. For those of you hoop-heads who will be watching tomorrow's race, here is my Dad's take...
The models indicate that it is wide open this year, especially with Big Brown (the most talented in the field) on the far outside in #20. So I'm throwing out all of the speed in post positions 17 to 20.
Adriano (15) and Denis (16) don't have the numbers.
Of the remainder, the ones I like better than the rest are:
Cool Coal Man (1) 20-to-1
Excellent class and has the early pace to get out, although in the #1 hole.
Eight Belles (5) 15-to-1
The filly has the class, pressing and closing running style, breeding and speed figure to get it done.
Pyro (9) 6-to-1
My top pick. Excellent class and breeding for this, very mature, and with closing running style, the best late pace figures. It was easy to see that he couldn't stand on the polytrack at keeneland (I was there) so ignore his Bluegrass stakes performance.
Smooth Air (12) 20-to-1
Good class, pressing style and excellent BRIS speed. Breeding and pace figures not as good.
Monba (14) 15-to-1
Superior class, breeding and pressing and closing running style. The speed figures aren't as strong as some others but he can get it done. I'm obviously biased because I want to see Todd get the roses.
So in order:
Pyro
Eight Belles and Cool Coal Man
Monba and Smooth Air
Mom likes Cowboy Cal and Eight Belles.
