Serious and Silly Picks for the 2011 Kentucky Derby Horses

Once again it’s that time of year where all eyes turn to Louisville, Kentucky for the fastest two-minutes in sports: the Kentucky Derby.

This late in the game, I almost didn’t bother to do my usual heads up on the horses. But then my mother chastised me for not posting about the best part of the race – the horses – so she knew who to watch for. It made me realize that while I do know the top contenders, I don’t know anything about the rest of the field. And it’s always so much more fun to watch when you know who the horses are.

So for us crazy horsey people and only casual race fans, here’s a quick inside look at the horses set to step on to the dirt track at Churchill Downs tomorrow evening.

2011 Kentucky Derby Horses by Post Position

Post Position	Horse		Odds
1		Archarcharch Has won 2 out 3 of his 2011 prep races, including the G1 Arkansas Derby. He tends to break in the middle of pack, and then close fast at the end of the race to win. Archarcharch full info…	10-1
2		Brilliant Speed Brilliant Speed’s pedigree is very much suited for the 1 1/4 mile Kentucky Derby distance. He won the Grade 1 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes in prep for the Derby. He tends to do better on turf than on dirt. Brilliant Speed full info…	30-1
3		Twice the Appeal He won the Grade 3 Sunland Derby earlier this year, and his biggest advantage is having 3-time Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel in the saddle. The only other thing he has going for him is that weather predictions are calling for rain, and Twice the Appeal does well over a sloppy track. Twice the Appeal full info…	20-1
4		Stay Thirsty Won the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes and the Grade 1 Three Chimneys Hopeful. He lost to Dialed In in the Florida Derby. His chances could be improved now that stablemate Uncle Mo has been scratched from the race. Stay Thirsty full info…	20-1
5		Decisive Moment He has run second in several Grade 3 races leading up to the Kentucky Derby. He can handle a muddy track, which could be in his favor tomorrow. Decisive Moment full info…	30-1
6		Comma to the Top He is one of the more heavily raced Derby horses with a win in the Grade 1 2010 Cashcall Futurity and a 2nd in the 2011 Santa Anita Derby. He is a speed horse who likes to go the front. He is the most experienced horse in the field, but may not be able to handle the distance. Comma to the Top full info…	30-1
7		Pants on Fire Won the Grade 1 Louisiana Derby this year. He’s experienced, has great speed, stamina in his pedigree, and is coming off a 6-week break. Pants on Fire full info…	20-1
8		Dialed In Is the current favorite after winning the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes and Grade 1 Florida Derby. Dialed in is an exciting closer with a penchant from running last to first. He runs very consistently, but has also never been in a field with more than 12 horses. Dialed In full info…	4-1
9		Derby Kitten Is coming off a win in the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes. While Derby Kitten has run well on turf and synthetic tracks, his one race on dirt was abysmal. However, his style and background is reminiscent of another recent long-shot Derby winner: Charismatic.	30-1
10		Twinspired Twinspired has a pedigree good on stamina – and the KY Derby distance. He’s a seasoned horse, with wins in two Graded races and spots in the money in several others. The longer the distance, the better he does. Twinspired full info…	30-1
11		Master of Hounds European-bred horse, Master of Hounds is going to have to prove in the Derby that he can run on dirt. Most of his races have been international, and while he finishes in the money doesn’t have any wins. He will likely start off the pace. Master of Hounds full info…	30-1
12		Santiva Won the Grade 1 Kentucky Jockey Club last year, and has a 2nd and a 9th in his two starts this year. He’s a stalker, meaning he sits behind the leader for most of the race and overtakes them at the end. Santiva full info…	30-1
13		Mucho Macho Man Won the Grade 2 Risen Star and ran 3rd in the Grade 1 Louisiana Derby. Mucho Macho Man has some solid momentum coming into the Derby and some good tactical speed. While his pedigree isn’t great, he has proven himself consistent and a horse to watch in his 8 starts. He can run well as a stalker or sticking close to the leaders. Mucho Macho Man full info…	12-1
14		Shackleford Lost by a head to Dialed In in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. He has won over the Churchill Downs track, and tends to go straight to the lead. Shackleford full info…	12-1
15		Midnight Interlude Midnight Interlude is trained by Bob Baffert, a 3-time Derby winner and comes with a win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. He was unraced as a 2-year-old though, which doesn’t bode well as the last time a horse that started as a 3-year-old won was 1882. He has early speed, but likes to sit just off the pace and save himself for the end. Midnight Interlude full info…	10-1
16		Animal Kingdom Won the Grade 3 Vinary Racing Spiral Stakes and has one other win in his 4-start history. He won the Spiral Stakes by 9 lengths easily, and should be well-suited for the Kentucky Derby length. He has never run on dirt, however. Animal Kingdom full info…	30-1
17		Soldat Won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes and led wire-to-wire, before tanking in the Florida Derby where he was the favorite. This horse has speed and is experienced on dirt. We should see him very close to the pace in the Derby. Soldat full info…	12-1
18		Uncle Mo – SCRATCHED
19		Nehro Ran 2nd in two Grade 2 races: the Arkansas Derby and Louisiana Derby. He lost by 22 lengths in January, just to come back and break his maiden a month later. He’s a late bloomer, but has been getting better with each race. He’s a late runner, so will likely be towards the back of the pack and making a dash for it with Dialed In. Nehro full info…	6-1
20		Watch Me Go Won the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby and has been very successful as a sprinter. While he hasn’t been consistent, that race shows that he has what it takes on the right day. He’s definitely the long-shot – but the one who could just be the surprise. Watch Me Go full info…	50-1

 

Regarding Horses 2011 Kentucky Derby Picks

Best Name: Pants on Fire

If a horse were to win the Kentucky Derby based on name alone, Pants on Fire would be a shoe in.

Prettiest Face: Master of Hounds

I don’t think he has a shot at winning the Kentucky Derby, but he’d do well if it was a beauty pagaent. I love his chocolate color, star and snip, and happily pointed ears as he gallops through his workout. He just looks happy.

Best Running Style: Dialed In

I can’t help but love a horse who can go from dead last to ahead at the wire – every time. He was losing the Florida Derby by 14 lengths just to rally and win by a head. This is the Derby race I’m hoping for. I don’t usually like to pick the favorite, but this is one of the few times he has my vote.

Most Likely To Win Long Shot: Twice the Appeal

He hasn’t done a whole lot, but I simply can’t discount any horse running with Calvin Borel on his back.

Best Story: Mucho Macho Man

He has a super cool trainer: Kathy Ritvo. She was born into a racing family and took over the family business just last year when her husband took a job in race management. Mucho Macho Man is her first Kentucky Derby starter. I’ll give her a big thumbs up if she wins.

So, there you have the quick run-down of the Kentucky Derby horses, as well as my top picks. Do you have any favorites, whether it be to win the race or simply because you think they’re pretty and would make a great jumper post-race-days?

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