The Triple Crown is still in play this year for Derby winner Animal Kingdom so I thought I would share some Triple Crown musings.  The first Triple Crown winner - the winner of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes - was Sir Barton in 1919 although the term Triple Crown had not yet been coined at the time. The term Triple Crown was used by sportswriter Charles Halton in 1930 when writing about the second Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox. There have only been 11 Triple Crown winners.  Following Gallant Fox were Omaha in 1935, War Admiral in 1937, Whirlaway in 1941, Count Fleet in 1943, Assault in 1946, Citation in 1948, Secretariat in 1973, Seattle Slew in 1977 and Affirmed in 1978. After Seattle Slew and Affirmed won back to back Triple Crowns, Spectacular Bid looked like he would make it a triple - Triple Crown the following year winning both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but he finished third in the Belmont and began a very long drought between Triple Crown winners.  Although no horse has been able to win the Triple Crown since 1978 there have been many others after Spectacular Bid that have won the first two legs only to fail at the Belmont.  All of these horses won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness then failed to win at Belmont.  Pleasant Colony in 1981, Alysheba in 1987, Sunday Silence in 1989, Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998, Charismatic in 1999, War Emblem in 2002, Funny Cide in 2003, Smarty Jones in 2004 and what was supposed to be a mortal lock, Big Brown in 2008.  Can Animal Kingdom break the longstanding Triple Crown drought?  I believe he has two very big things working in his favor.  He has received very little hype so disappointing the crowd is not a factor and he is very lightly raced so he is moving forward in his ability at just the right time of his three year old season.  With expectations low and Animal Kingdom fresh and improving I think he has an excellent chance of winning the Triple Crown!

Interesting Kentucky Derby Post Position Statistics

With the draw for Derby post positions happening tonight I found these past statistics to be pretty interesting.  Posts 17 through 20 are a combined 2 for 68 over the past 33 years but post 15 and 16 each have had three Derby winners.  Big Brown was the first Kentucky Derby winner to win from the 20 post in the seven times that there has been a horse breaking from the far outside gate. Post positions 5 through 10 have accounted for 16 of the past 33 Derby winners with PP 10 having 6 of those winners. The rail has produced only one Derby winner in the past 33 years while many of the horses finishing third and fourth have drawn inside posts.

The Kentucky Oaks, featuring three year old fillies, is the sister event to the Kentucky Derby and takes place Friday the day before "the Run for the Roses". The first time I went to the Derby I had never heard of the Oaks race and had no idea of its size or importance.  I quickly found out that it is a HUGE day of racing. Matter of fact, the vibe at Churchill Downs on Oaks day is really just as exciting as Saturday. The attendees treat it just like the Derby by dressing to the hilt...and the Juleps and hats are a plenty!  Of course, I recommend going to both the Oaks and the Derby, but if you find the prices to the Derby overwhelming, tickets to the Oaks are much more reasonable and the pageantry remains the same. I personally believe the lower cost is the reason that Oaks day has become so huge.  I am not saying it's the poor man's substitute for the Derby because that would be down grading this great event - I'm just saying if you want the Derby without Derby prices - G-O!  Put your finest duds on and enjoy the Oaks like you would the Derby and you will not be disappointed. I took this picture from the track in the 3rd race on Oaks day a few years ago to give an idea of the larger than expected crowds!

So you have decided to go to the Derby at the last minute..the hunt begins by looking for tickets at the Churchill Downs web site or figuring you will buy general admission at the track. That's cool but I have one piece of advice for you - listen up - buy a ticket with a seat!  Whether it's a bleacher seat in the infield or an inner room table seat - you must have a seat. Derby day and Oaks day are long days at the track. First post is early and the time between races is longer than usual to allow for the crowds and television. Trust me when I say that finding a place (other than the floor) to rest your pups is no given and in fact, I can't tell you how many times I have seen really gorgeous women dressed to the nines sitting on the floor in the clubhouse because they only have walk around passes. They finally realize that they can't drink five Mint Juleps and stand all day. It's not a pretty sight so do yourself a favor and buy a seat! 

    At risk of giving you a "well, duh" moment, two other must haves are sunscreen and sunglasses. Yes, you can buy $140  Maui Jims at the entrance to the clubhouse like I had to last year but that's money you could wager on the Derby IF you just remember your sunglasses from home. There is also sunscreen for sale at a few of the souvenir booths but by the time you decide you need it because your neck and nose are fried there won't be a tube available.  Trust me, sunburn is not the souvenir you want to take home!  So do yourself a favor and plan ahead and don't make a sunburn, a glare headache and a sore back part of your Derby experience.  It's that simple.

We all know that the possible contenders for the Derby have been competing in their final prep races, but what about us, the race goers?  I am prepping too - I'm brushing up on my handicapping so the Derby weekend can be profitable as well as fun. Picking winners on this particular weekend can be extremely difficult...especially for those who aren't prepared. A few of my watch points: which jockeys are hot at Keeneland and is there a major track bias the first week of the Churchill meet?  Like many others, this circuit tends to be dominated by a handful of jockeys and I have found that track bias has been dramatic during the week leading up to the Derby!  This is just a starting point but I strongly suggest brushing up on your handicapping if you plan on betting every race Thursday through Saturday before you walk through those majestic gates. Happy handicapping!