#my guy had 50pts!!!!!!!!

[rhynehoward]

#jrue holiday #milwaukee bucks #nba #my guy had 50pts!!!!!!!!

[silly-fox-in-sox]

The 2017 Kentucky Derby Field! 

1. Lookin At Lee 20-1

Lookin At Lucky x Langara Lass (Langfuhr) KY S Asumssen / C Lanerie 2-2-2 (9) $452,795

Lookin At Lee hasn’t won since August of his 2yo season, but has hit the board enough times to make it into the Derby Field. He’s the sort of horse who likes to lay far, far back and make one big run - so hopefully he can handle the dreaded 1 hole by breaking slow and laying back. He ran a decent second to Classic Empire in the G3 Iroquois in his only start over an off track.

Pedigree Note: His half-sister Battlefield was G1 placed on dirt and a stakes winner on turf.

2. Thunder Snow 20-1

Helmet (AUS) x Eastern Joy (GB) IRE S Bin Suroor / C Soumillon 4-2-0 (8) $1,627,541

Thunder Snow is the big, globe-trotting horse; when he enters the Derby gate, it will be the 4th country and 3rd continent he’s raced in. The colt has been classy from the start, running solidly in G2 Company in England on the grass and undefeated over dirt in his two starts in Dubai. He comes into this race as the only colt who’s run (and won) over 1 1/8 miles thanks to his very strong win in the G2 UAE Derby.

Pedigree Note: He’s a half-brother to stakes winner Always Smile & G2 winner Ihtimal. Their dam Eastern Joy is a half-sister to G1 winner West Wind

3. Fast and Accurate 50-1

Hansn x It’s Heidi’s Dance (Green Dancer) PA M Maker / C Hill 3-1-0 (6) $340,362

Fast And Accurate was a late supplemental entry to the Derby after he earned his way in with a win in the 50pt, G3 Spiral. This will only be his 2nd start on natural dirt, which he hasn’t raced over since running 5th against maidens at Parx. As a 3yo he’s been undefeated in both of his starts and is riding a 3 race win streak. His owner has made it clear the plan for him is to gun for the lead and try to hold it.

Pedigree Note: His dam is a half-sister to G3 winner Bwana Bull, G2 winner Bwana Charlie, & G2 winner My Pal Charlie

4. Untrapped 30-1

Trappe Shot x Exit Three (Giant’s Causeway) KY S Asmussen / R Santana Jr. 1-3-1 (6) $259,658

Untrapped hasn’t won since last November, but he’s held is own alright on the Derby trail. He finished 2nd to Guest Suite in the G3 Lecomte, and 2nd to Girvin in the G2 Risen Star before his people decided to leave the Fair Grounds and give Oaklawn a shot. In Arkansas he was 3rd behind Malagacy in the G2 Rebel and off the board in the G1 Arkansas Derby. He took to the mud well enough in his only try on an off-surface.

Pedigree Note: His dam is an un-raced granddaughter of Yarn. Yarn is a full-sister to Preach, the dam of Pulpit (Tapit’s sire) and the dam of G1 winner Minardi, G2 winner and important sire Tale of the Cat, Myth - the dam of champion Johannesburg,

5. Always Dreaming 5-1

Bodemeister x Above Perfection (In Excess) KY T Pletcher / J Velazquez 3-1-1 (5) $648,900

I wouldn’t be surprised if Always Dreaming ends up the favorite by post time. His score in the G1 Florida Derby was both among the fastest and most visually impressive of the big final preps. He’s also rolling into the Derby undefeated since turning 3 and moving into Pletcher’s barn.

Pedigree Note: He’s a half-brother to G1 winner & G3 stakes producer Hot Dixie Chick. Their dam Above Perfection was G1 placed.

6. State of Honor 30-1

To Honor and Serve x State Cup (Elusive Quality) ON M Casse / J Lezcano 1-4-2 (10) $382,548

State of Honor is tied with the maiden Sonneteer for the most pre-Derby start with 10 races under his belt. The handsome colt has been on the board in 7 of those races, but struggled to make it to the winners’ circle. He’s also had the unfortunate habit of refusing to settle early in his races, which makes me a little nervous for his chances in the 20 horse calvary charge. If he’s learned to settle he has a solid chance to make some noise in here.

Pedigree Note: His dam State Cup is a half-sister to G2 winner St Averil and his grand dam Avie’s Fancy was a G2 winner

7. Girvin 15-1

Tale of Ekati x Catch the Moon (Malibu Moon) KY J Sharp / M Smith 3-1-0 (4) $874,400

The Louisiana based colt was defeated only once in his short career, and that was on grass. He’s done nothing but run consistently well and swept the big Louisiana preps to be the top point earner of the year. It’s worth noting, that since the points system was implemented, each year’s top points earner has gone on to wear the roses, but at the same time the G2 Louisiana Derby hasn’t produced a Derby winner since Grindstone back in 1996. Word is that Girvin is also having some physical issues and has been swimming more than working lately.

Pedigree Note: His only sibling is G3 winner Cocked and Loaded

8. Hence 15-1

Street Boss x Floating Island (A.P. Indy) KY S Asmussent / F Geroux 2-1-1 (6) $462,601

The bright red colt has quickly gone from my favorite under-the-radar longshot to wise guy horse after the horses he dominated in the G3 Sunland Derby have come back to make serious noise in graded stakes. Hence hasn’t been a particularly consistent colt, throwing some occasional bombs. He did break his maiden in the slop, so if it’s as rainy as they say it will be Hence should be happy.

Pedigree Note: His dam is a half-sister to Canadian champion broodmare Pico Teneriffe - the dam of Canadian champion Marchfield

9. Irap 20-1

Tiznow x Silken Cat ( Storm Cat) KY D O’neill / M Gutierrez 1-3-1 (8) $772,600

Irap took his sweet, sweet time breaking his maiden. Even though he didn’t seem to understand what winning was, he still showed some class - finishing second to Conquest Mo Money in the Mine That Bird Derby, 2nd in the G3 Robert B Lewis, and 2nd in the G1 Los Al Futurity. Breaking his maiden with a gritty - if slow - win in the G1 Blue Grass was quite the shocker. Funny note - most of his worst finishes were when competing against maidens.

Pedigree Note: He’s a half-brother to G1 BC Sprint champ & important sire Speightstown.

10. Gunnevera 15-1

Dialed In x Unbridled Rage (Unbridled’s Song) KY A Sano / J Castellano 4-2-1 (9) $1,170,200

Gunnevera has been one of the most consistent horses on the Derby trail. His only off the board finishes came when he was a 2yo and didn’t get a particularly good trip, but he still put in his run each time. He’s been a dependable performer in the Florida prep series, running solid seconds in the G2 Holy Bull & G1 Florida Derby and getting a runaway win in the G2 Fountain of Youth. If he gets the hot pace setup he loves, Gunnevera is a serious threat.  

Pedigree Note: You don’t often see Graustark as close as the 3rd generation anymore, but he’s Gunnevera’s grand dams’ damsire (say that 3-times fast)

11. Battle of Midway 30-1

Smart Strike x Rigoletta (Concerto) KY J Hollendorfer / F Pratt 2-1-1 (4) $290,000

He’s a late-comer to the Derby trail. Battle of Midway is up against he Apollo curse since he didn’t make his first start until the end of January. On the plus-side, he’s improved with each race, and seems to appreciate the extra distance he’s gotten each time. His 2nd place finish in the Santa Anita Derby was particularly impressive after he was the only speed left standing at the end.

Pedigree Note: His dam Rigoletta was a G1 winner and he has no line-breeding in his first 5 generations.

12. Sonneteer  50-1

Midnight Lute x Ours (Half Ours) KY D O’neill / M Gutierrez 0-4-2 (10) $284,445

Tied with State of Honor as the most experienced horse in the field, this inky colt also goes to post as the only maiden in the field. If he wins, he’ll be only the 4th horse to get his first win in the Kentucky Derby, joining Buchanan(1884), Sir Barton (1919), & Brokers Tip(1933). Granted, maidens don’t contend the Derby very often, with only 10 trying since 1937, including Trojan Nation last year. Word is Sonneteer looks gorgeous on the track at Churchill.

Pedigree Note: He’s by my favorite son of Real Quiet and his grand dam is Classy Mirage, a multipe G1 winning sprinter. His dam is a half-sister to G1 winner Dublin.

13. J Boys Echo  20-1

Mineshaft x Letgomyecho (Menifee) D Romans / L Saez 2-1-1 (6) $349,600

J Boys Echo has been another perplexing runner this year. One moment he’s doing a runaway train impression in the G3 Gotham, and the next he’s struggling to finish 4th behind a maiden in the G1 Blue Grass. If he puts his best hoof forward he’s plenty good enough to win the Derby - but which horse will show up on Saturday?

Pedigree Note: He’s a half brother to G3 Unbridled Outlaw and their dam Letgomyecho was a G2 winner.

14. Classic Empire 4-1

Pioneerof the Nile x Sambuca Classica (Cat Thief) KY M Casse / J Leparoux 5-0-1 (7) $2,120,220

The “Bad Boy” champion is going to give his people whiter hair than Baffert by the time this is done. When Classic Empire decides to put his mind to business and run, he’s been unstoppable - winning the G3 Bashford Manner, G1 Breeders’ Futurity, G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and G1 Arkansas Derby. He’s won by open lengths, in a dog fight, on the mud, on a dry track, sprinting 4 1/2 f and routing 1 1/8 miles. When Classic Empire doesn’t feel agreeable, he throws his jockey (G1 Hopeful Debacle), refuses to train, and wastes all his energy throwing fits before the race (G2 Holy Bull). If he can bring his A game, we might see something really special.

Pedigree Note: His half-brother Anytime Magic is a stakes winning sprinter

15. McCraken 5-1

Ghostzapper x Ivory Empress (Seeking the Gold) KY I Wilkes / B Hernandez Jr. 4-0-1 (5) $410,848

McCraken looked like a monster in the making at the start of the year. He was an undefeated winner of the G2 KY JC at Churchill Downs and looked every bit a Derby winner in his 3yo bow - a measured win in the Sam F Davis. But then lady luck intervened and a minor physical issue derailed his Derby trail plans. He got it back together in time for the G1 Blue Grass, but couldn’t catch a maiden and was outrun by Practical Joke. He has a lot of class to fall back on, and should move forward off his disappointing Blue Grass.

Pedigree Note: His half-brother is a G3-placed turf miler. His grand dam Madame Pandit was G1 placed and the dam of G1 winning turf mare Mea Domina

16. Tapwrit 20-1

Tapit x Appealing Zophie (Successful Appeal) KY T Pletcher / J Ortiz 3-1-0 (6) $343,902

Here’s another colt that looked seriously special early on the Derby trail. He’s a gorgeous grey who looks every bit the $1.2 million spent to buy him. After breaking his maiden in second asking, he pulled away from Master Plan - the future G2 UAE Derby 3rd-place finisher - and was a fast closing second to McCraken in the G3 Sam F Davis. With McCraken out of the way, he exploded in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby. But then the G1 Blue Grass happened and he threw in a total clunker. The Blue Grass has been quite the undoing for several hot horses.

Pedigree Note: His dam Appealing Zophie won the G1 Spinaway at 2 and the G3 Silverbulletday at 3

17. Irish War Cry 6-1

Curlin x Irish Sovereign (Polish Numbers) NJ G Motion / R Maragh 4-0-0 (5) $699,460

The big son of Curlin is yet another horse who had to make a comeback from an inexplicably lousy race. He too was an undefeated, stakes winning 2yo who transitioned beautifully into his 3yo season. He looked like a future monster when he ran off with the G2 Holy Bull in his first start of the year, but then he didn’t pick up a hoof in the G2 Fountain of Youth. He got his redemption in the G2 Wood Memorial - winning with a strong speed figure and making quite the visual impression. As a son of Curlin, I bet he loves the rain

Pedigree Note: Curlin has had good luck as a sire of classic winners, with Palace Malice and Exaggerator. He has a lot of stamina in his pedigree.

18. Gormley 15-1

Malibu Moon x Race to Urga (Bernstein) KY J Shirreffs / V Espinoza 4-0-0 (6) $920,000

Gormley was a very classy 2yo who, like so many this year, has had consistency issues. His win in the G1 Front Runner was solid but he followed up with a total clunker in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. His 3yo debut was a very impressive, hard fought win in the Sham, but followed up by a blah non-effort in the G2 San Felipe. Most recently he pulled past Battle of Midway to win the G1 Santa Anita Derby in a slow time. He looks like the best of the California horses, and the West Coast has been killin’ it lately on Derby day. Also, if it rains - watch out. His best race was run over some rare So-Cal slop.

Pedigree Note: His dam Race to Urga is a stakes winner on grass and his grand dam Miss Mambo was G1 placed on the grass in France.

19. Practical Joke 20-1

Into Mischief x Halo Humor (Distorted Humor) KY C Brown / J Rosario 3-2-1 (6) $1,015,800

Next to Classic Empire, Practical Joke has the classiest 2yo record to fall back on. He won both the big NY G1 races for 2yo colts - the G1 Hopeful and the G1 Champaign. His 3rd place finish in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was a solid effort to finish out his year. This year he’s struggled to get a win, but hasn’t had a bad effort. His seconds in the G2 Fountain of Youth and the G1 Blue Grass were solid enough. A lot of people question his ability to get 1 1/4 miles based on his pedigree.

Pedigree Note: His only inbreeding is to Halo (5x5), but his close-up family is pretty speed heavy.

20. Patch 30-1

Union Rags x Windyindy (A.P. Indy) KY T Pletcher / T Gaffalione 1-2-0 (3) $230,020

The one-eyed wonder is the talk of social media. He’s the most lightly raced colt of the bunch with just 3 starts and will be fighting Apollo’s curse since he didn’t debut until mid January. Patch has impressed, breaking his maiden with a big speed figure at Gulfstream, then finishing a good second in the G2 Louisiana Derby. A lot of Derby history is up against Patch, but he’ll be a definite fan-favorite on Derby day.

Pedigree Note: He’s a half-brother to G2 winner Tiz Windy.

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AE 1 Royal Mo 20-1 AE 2 Master Plan 50-1

#horse racing #kentucky derby #my art