2015 Kentucky Derby Wrap Up

And we're back.

First things first: it was, as in years past, yet another wonderful reunion with the Derby Crew.  There are few things in life more rewarding than reconnecting with old friends, and this occasion was no exception.  Sadly, this year's get-together was, as it seems every year, much too brief; indeed, it felt as if only a few blinks of the eye had passed from the time we were saying our hellos to the moment it was time to say good-bye.  Sadder still, not all members of the crew were able to make it this year; hopefully that will change with our next scheduled gathering.

I would be remiss were I to not thank the wonderful people at Green Valley Ranch for the splendid job they all did in yet again taking care of the Derby Crew.  Indeed, the consistency with which the crew receives outstanding customer service from the staff of Green Valley Ranch makes it tempting for me to simply cut and paste everything that I wrote last year upon my return.  

Yes, as always the grounds at Green Valley Ranch were strikingly beautiful; and, yes, the rooms were yet again spacious and clean.  But as you should surmise from even a casual reading of this blog, it's the Race Book that draws the crew to Green Valley Ranch and keeps us coming back year after year.  Bert Cirincione (Director of Race and Sports Satellite Operation at Green Valley Ranch) and Celena Sams (Race and Sports Supervisor) did yet another wonderful job of seeing to it that all the Derby Crew needs were met throughout our stay, as they and the entire staff provided a level of customer service that simply cannot be surpassed.  So to Bert, Celena, our cocktail waitress Sharon, and indeed, all the waitresses, ticket writers, and each and every staff member of the Race Book in particular and GVR as a whole, thank you for all you did in adding to the crew's enjoyment of the Kentucky Derby.

As to the actual running of the Kentucky Derby, I wrote in my Derby preview post that I would be leaning heavily on # 3 Materiality (Final Odds 11.50).  So let me just state right up front that, as far as our Derby wagering was concerned, it was another case of:

Oh well; onto the next race.

But while he was not among the top finishers, it's hard to feel disappointment at the effort shown by Materiality.  The poor Post Position draw as well as his inexperience doomed Materiality from the start, as he hesitated at the break; indeed, you'll notice the remark at the top of the Equibase chart of the Kentucky Derby that the start was "Good for all except 3 [Materiality], 15 [Frosted (10.30)]".  But despite the poor beginning Materiality didn't quit, and he did a fine job of running late, gaining seven lengths on the leader in the stretch.  I don't know what plans Materiality's connections have for his future, but I believe that he showed that he is definitely a horse to keep your eyes on.

As to the winner, # 18 American Pharoah (2.90*), this marks the third year in a row that the Kentucky Derby winner was the Post Time Favorite.  Obviously the public is getting much smarter about selecting its Derby runners!  Seriously, this year's renewal of the Derby produced a very formful race, as five of the six runners who went to post at odds below 12-1 occupied the top half dozen slots on the chart.  # 5 Danzig Moon (22.60) was the only entrant with odds higher than 12-1 to finish in the top six, as he crossed the wire fifth; while # 2 Carpe Diem (7.70) was the only short priced horse to not hit the board.

So what key information can we take from the Derby to help us with our Preakness bets?  Well, as so many have already noted, the top three finishers in the Derby (American Pharoah; # 10 Firing Line (9.50); and # 8 Dortmund (4.30)) were also the top three runners at each and every call of the race.  So was this a case of the race shape heavily influencing the final result?  Or was this simply a case of the best three runners taking it to the rest of the field right from the opening bell?  Time will no doubt tell, but when I see a result where the horses that were first through fifth at the top of the stretch crossed the finish line in that exact same order, I tend to give a lot of consideration next time out to any horses that actually gained ground on the leaders during that stretch drive; and, lo and behold, that just leads us right back to Materiality, as well as # 14 Keen Ice (45.80).  As I type this, Materiality's participation in the Preakness is still unclear; while it appears that Keen Ice, a son of Curlin, is being pointed toward the Belmont.

So congrats to American Pharoah and his connections, including Jockey Victor Espinoza, who picks up his third career Kentucky Derby win; and good luck to all participants as we move forward towards the next jewel in the Triple Crown.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo