Six Days to Derby...Some horses to Consider

IS THE RUN FOR THE ROSES BAFFERT'S TO LOSE?


The 141st. Kentucky Derby is six days away. If Bob Baffert is practicing his winning trainer speech already, few could blame him. Mr. White-Hair has two of the best in the probable field, you see...in AMERICAN PHAROAH and DORTMUND.

Some are calling the two the strongest trainer entry for the "fastest two minutes in sports" ever. American Pharoah obliterated the field in the Arkansas Derby with Victor Espinoza on board. Dortmund blew away the competition in the Santa Anita Derby under a confident ride by Martin Garcia. 

They are monsters, for sure...but they aren't the only two horses in the mile and a quarter event. 

Todd Pletcher has a very viable contender in CARPE DIEM. The best jockey in the world (IMHO) Johnny Velazquez stays on board after they ruled the Bluegrass Stakes. If you play the "exotics" the Giant Causeway son cannot be excluded.

Calvin Borel climbs aboard EL KABIER. This is a "horse for the course" and loves Churchill Downs. Nobody knows Churchill better that veteran Calvin Borel. Don't neglect this Kentucky Jockey Club winner as a two-year old.  

INTERNATIONAL STAR won the Louisiana Derby and swept all three Louisiana Derby prep races. Miguel Mena, another jockey who knows Churchill inside and out, stays on as the rider and I fully expect him to come from behind and sweep by most of the field in that long Churchill homestretch.

So...there you have it. The top five I'm looking at six days out. Things can always change. Post positions, weather conditions and how the horses adapt to Churchill and the largest crowd any of them have ever seen. 

I'll keep a watchful eye on Ocho Ocho Ocho, Mubtaahij and Frosted. Firing Line and Upstart round out my top ten.

paulie
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