Kentucky derby?Ur thoughts & comments?

I thought it was a good race, that we were lucky that everybody got a chance to make their best run.

General comment, not about the race but about the coverage it got in the press: when I got up this morning and checked the Los Angeles Times sports page, there wasn't a single mention of the Derby on the first page. This is one of the most important events in Thoroughbred racing, something people in the sport live for and die for, and it didn't merit a mention on page 1 of the sports page of one of the largest newspapers in the country.

Horse racing as a major sport is on its deathbed. Outside of those of us who have a special love for the sport, nobody else cares. And that makes me sad beyond belief.

The only thing I can think of that might pull racing out of this death spiral it's in is if Animal Kingdom proves to be The Real Deal and can win the Triple Crown. If that happens, there should be a rekindling of interest in the press.

As for the winner, right now he's blank slate we can write our dreams on. He's got 3 wins, 2 seconds out of 5 lifetime starts. His pedigree on his dam's side suggests that he's probably still somewhat immature; this is borne out, I believe, by his improvement since his first start of the year at Gulfstream Park, when he finished second in an Optional Claiming race on the turf in a somewhat green effort. He's still a somewhat green runner, as evidenced by his bearing out in the final sixteenth of the stretch drive. So I hope that he's got a lot of room for maturity and improvement during his run at the Triple Crown.

Jockey Rosie Napravnik is a nice story; I'm glad she's getting attention, although I have to confess that as someone who remembers very well the struggle that women went through to even be allowed to become jockeys in the late 1960's, it irks me that women jockeys and trainers are still enough of a novelty to be newsworthy. Women have been riding in races for nearly 40 years now: and it's been 20 years since Julie Krone became the first woman to win a Triple Crown race when she rode Colonial Affair to victory in the Belmont. There is absolutely no reason that women shouldn't be among the leading riders at every racetrack in the country. I would love to live to see the day when women riding and winning in Grade 1 stakes races are so common that nobody remarks on their gender.

Now we move on to the Preakness. I sure hope that whoever wins that race, the press takes better notice than they did with the Derby.

I found it interesting that Animal Kingdom won considering Animal Kingdom only has 4 starts lifetime -2 this year and 2 last year, no stakes races as a juvenile, a top Beyer of 93, is not a dual qualifier, his final prep was on Polytrack. And, today it was Animal Kingdom first race on a dirt surface, and what a race it was, right?!. At 21-1 odds, Animal Kingdom paid big, he was far from a favorite, or even a contender, in the Derby. However, he won the Spiral Stakes earning him a sharp prep and a stakes win this year. And, he rallies from off the pace which are both pluses. Johnny Velazquez is a great Jockey all the way around, so I'm happy for him, and all of Animal Kingdom's connections. The Best Horse Won. Yes, Nehro one of my favorites. Gotta love Nehro, for he has seconditis..lol. Coming in second is his thing..lol.

Jockey Anna Rose (Rosie) Napravnik was in the position to become the first female rider to win the Kentucky Derby (2011) yesterday on Pants On Fire, and, yes, definitely would of been awesome. She definately has talent, for she provided us with an awesome race / finish in the Kentucky Oaks with St. John’s River for a close second behind Plum Pretty the winner.

Here's the video of "Rosie" coming in for a close second behind Plum Pretty in the Oaks. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGAKFIQBJRo&

Keeping in mind, horse racing is like any other sport where mishaps can and do occur !! So aside from feel bad about Archarcharch fracturing his left leg, and is now retired from racing. I thought the results were as unpredictable as always, as we faced another mediocre field this year.

Making his first start over a dirt surface, 20-to-1 long shot Animal Kingdom came from the middle of the pack, continued to the center of the track to capture the Win by nearly three lengths. Nice !

I was happy for trainer Graham Motion, I mean with Toby’s Corner being scratched earlier in the week, and jockey John Velazquez, who with the scratch of Uncle Mo lost a third mount on a potential Derby favorite in as many years, but picked up the mount on Animal Kingdom after Robby Albarado broke his nose, so I found that interesting. I was watching for Pants On Fire, wondering if that nice story would come to light. I didn't know she (Rosie) did so well in the Kentucky Oaks the day before, so thank you Sandra (if you read this) for video. I think we'll be seeing more of her now. Overall, I still enjoyed the Derby as always.

(Nice Answer Karin & Sandra) !

Have watched the replay of the Kentucky Derby a few times now, I feel apart from the winner Animal Kingdom and second horse Neyro , who were both ridden positively and confidently ,nothing else caught my eye. I will say that my choice Dialed In, got too far back to be in contention ( but his racing manners/style was a factor ) he was making up ground at the finish. On to the Preakness, I saw a horse called Sway Away finishing like a freight train a few starts ago, if he manages to gain a start in the Preakness, watch-out !

What's there to think about ? It was the first race of the triple crown series. The race was run clean, no incidents or injuries. All the entrants were great stock and deserved to be in the race. The fastest horse there on May 7th, 2011 got to wire first. On to the Preakness. Take out the ole dartboard again to pick a winner ( :