Using Running Styles To Identify Contenders And Pretenders In the Kentucky Derby
May 3, 2018 | Derek SimonDo Running Styles Matter? By Derek Simon Handicapping author William L. Quirin once called early speed the “universal track bias” and, despite the influx of grass racing and synthetic surfaces, statistics show that Quirin’s observation still holds true today. Even in the Kentucky Derby, a race that many believe is about as kind to frontrunners […]
Do Speed Figures Matter In The Kentucky Derby
April 23, 2018 | Derek SimonBy Derek Simon For whatever reason, some people approach big race days like they would bowling on the moon. In other words, they throw out everything they know about horse racing and handicapping and, instead, prepare themselves for a completely new experience. Take, for example, the notion that speed figures mean nothing in the Kentucky […]
Five Reasons Why Justify Won’t Win The Kentucky Derby
April 13, 2018 | Derek SimonBy Derek Simon Right now, among many horse racing fans, three things in life are certain: death, taxes and the fact that, come the first Saturday in May, Justify will win the Kentucky Derby. Currently, the chestnut cold is the 7-2 favorite to win the most famous race in America and his conditioner, Bob Baffert, is second only to Todd Pletcher (who, as […]
Race Of The Week: Wood Memorial
April 6, 2018 | Derek SimonBy Derek Simon This Saturday is “Super Saturday,” as three Grade I races offering 170 Road-to-the-Kentucky-Derby points take place. Aqueduct features the Wood Memorial, where Enticed, winner of the Gotham (G3) has been made the 6-5 morning line favorite; Keeneland, which opens on Friday, is the site of the Blue Grass Stakes (weather permitting), where […]
Kentucky Derby Road: Audible Makes Noise but Mendelssohn Is A Monster
April 4, 2018 | Derek SimonBy Derek Simon On the Kentucky Derby road, some contenders have switched gears and moved into the fast lane, while others have hit speed bumps or made pit stops that have allowed rivals to pass them by. There are plenty of highs and lows and peaks and valleys in the months leading up to the […]
Simon Says: Does Anybody Want To Win This Year’s Derby?
March 29, 2018 | Derek SimonBy Derek Simon Does anybody want to win this year’s Kentucky Derby? I mean, seriously? After watching the Louisiana Derby on Saturday, which came on the heels of a subpar Rebel Stakes, a terrible Tampa Bay Derby and a God-awful Gotham, I have doubts. I mean, the figures weren’t bad. Noble Indy earned the highest Equibase […]
Race Of The Week: Louisiana Derby
March 23, 2018 | Derek SimonBy Derek Simon No horse that used the Louisiana Derby (G2) as its final Kentucky Derby prep has ever gone on to wear the roses on the first Saturday in May and this edition of the race demonstrates why. It’s not exactly a who’s who of racing royalty. Yeah, trainer Todd Pletcher has a couple of entries […]
Race Of The Week: Rebel Stakes
March 16, 2018 | Derek SimonBy Derek Simon I’m zip for my last nine picks and now have a negative overall ROI (-10 percent) on the Race of the Week, so I was kind of hoping for a slam-dunk selection this week. Apparently, the Racing Gods hate me. As it turns out, the Rebel Stakes (G2), a prep for the […]
Simon Says: Stop It! Justify Is Not Going To Win The Kentucky Derby!
March 16, 2018 | Derek SimonBy Derek Simon I’ve heard all the hyperbole. I’ve seen all the comparisons to great Kentucky Derby champions of the past. But I’m here to tell you that Justify will not win the 2018 Kentucky Derby — or at least he shouldn’t be a short price to do so. The fact that the Bob Baffert-trained […]
Race Of The Week: Gotham Stakes
March 9, 2018 | Derek SimonBy Derek Simon The Kentucky Derby preps get underway in earnest this weekend with three graded stakes races for 3-year-olds scheduled to take place in a 22-minute span on Saturday. The festivities start at 3:20 p.m. Eastern with the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), which drew Flameaway, Vino Rossi and World of Trouble. That race is followed by […]
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