2009 Kentucky Derby - This Year's Opportunity

The 135th Kentucky Derby is less than three weeks away and as I say every year, let all of us "Good Horsepeople" take advantage of this opportunity to promote the horse industry by educating our friends, families and co-workers about our favorite animals. By talking intelligently about the pros and cons of the racing industry in a constructive and supportive way, we can raise awareness for responsible racing and horse-keeping practices, and for the thousands of ex-racehorses that need help transitioning into new careers as sport horses, pleasure horses and companion animals that support and contribute to the equine industry in this country.

Each year the Derby attracts more than 150,000 people to Churchill Downs and millions more will tune in on television. People who rarely interact with horses are suddenly interested in the contenders, their stories and the action on race day. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with a couple of the horses and their stories, as well as the issues current to the racing industry today, especially the retirement and placement of off-the-track racehorses. To learn more, check out CANTER (the communication alliance to network Thoroughbred racehorses) and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Here are the The Good Horseperson's early picks. If you can't make it to the race, online Kentucky Derby betting is a simple and easy option.

I Want Revenge: This colt by Stephen Got Even recently won the Wood Memorial Stakes, despite the fact that he lost valuable seconds in the beginning of the race after rearing in the starting gate and lurching out of the box slightly behind the rest of the field. In a New York Times article by Joe Drape, I Want Revenge's jockey complements his mount, calling him "such a smart animal" and "mature for his age." He may only have 3 victories in eight starts, but I Want Revenge has plenty of heart and a cool-headed jockey who believes in him.

Papa Clem: A handsome bay colt by Smart Strike (Mr. Prospector), Papa Clem just won the million dollar Arkansas Derby last Saturday, edging out Derby favorite Old Fashioned, who is now out of the race with an injury. Papa Clem's trainer, Gary Stute, has been feeling very good about his colt, who he feels is at the top of his game. After watching the video of Arkansas Derby, Papa Clem seems like the kind of horse who has staying power and the ability to dig in and get the lead at the right moment.

Friesian Fire: This bright bay colt by A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew) has the bloodlines and more wins than Papa Clem and I Want Revenge - he is actually unbeaten so far this year, and ran away with a 7 length lead in the Louisiana Derby. Friesian Fire is trainer Larry Jones's only hope in what he's calling his last trip in the run for the roses. Jones will attempt to run him after a 7 week lay-off, which has raised some eyebrows, but clockers caught the colt running very well this morning on the dirt at Keeneland.

image courtesy of www.kentuckyderby.info

An Up Close Look at Big Brown, Now Sponsored by UPS

The GoodHorseperson's Pick to win the Kentucky Derby arrived at Churchill Downs the day before yesterday - click the video above to get an up-close peek at Big Brown! He looks healthy, fit and happy - a gorgeous horse! Yesterday, UPS announced it would sponsor the aptly named Big Brown - jockey Kent Desormeaux will wear brown pants with the UPS logo.

The Derby will only be Big Brown's fourth career start - we hope he will remain undefeated and that his win will encourage the kind of purposeful and careful training we have seen his trainer, Rick Dutrow, have so much success with.

Television coverage of the Derby starts at 5pm on Sunday, May 3rd on NBC. The post time for the race is 6:04pm. You might also consider Kentucky Derby online betting as an easy alternative to the travel and the crowds.

UPDATE!

Congrats to Big Brown and all his People for Winning the Derby!

Good HorsePersons Picks for the 134th Kentucky Derby

Calling all Good HorsePeople! Now is the time to bone up on your racing repertoire...the Derby is less than a month away!

Every year, the Kentucky Derby (a racing tradition since 1875) attracts a crowd more than 150,000 strong to watch the Thoroughbreds battle it out on the track...millions more tune in on their television sets and computer screens. That's millions of people watching and admiring horses; many people who may never have actually patted a horse on a neck. What this means, for all of us HorsePeople, is that we are presented a unique opportunity to talk, talk, talk about our favorite animal and the respect that they deserve. This year, when you talk about the favorites and the odds, remember to talk about what can happen to these beautiful horses AFTER their racing career has ended. Bring attention to the cause that organizations like CANTER (Communication for the Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racers) are working so hard to further. Talk about how retrained racehorses make amazing and easy-going pleasure riding mounts, sport horses and companion horses. Show pictures of your off-the-track-thoroughbred or find one on CANTER's Horse Listings. Tell people to look you up on Facebook and check out your Horsebook! Or send them here to see pictures of Grande Finale, Parker's Way and Star Style on the sidebar - all three are retired racehorses.

Here's the Good HorsePerson's Picks for the Derby so far:
1) Big Brown: this gorgeous light bay colt by Boundary (Northern Dancer lines) has only raced three times! And all three times, he won with grace and good form. We admire the way this colt has been carefully and steadily brought back from problem quarter cracks last year. And we really admire BB's current trainer, Rick Dutrow, and his strategy of using work-outs instead of races to prepare for the Derby. Not only is it kinder for the horse (and so, a good example for the entire racing community) it's also the strategy Michael Matz used to prepare Barbaro when he won the Derby two years ago.

2) Pyro: Since two good showings in the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby, this dark bay grandson of A.P. Indy has topped favorite lists around the web.

3) War Pass: On the opposite end of the earnings spectrum than Big Brown (over 1.5 million), this grandson of Mr. Prospector was on the way to Derby undefeated before coming in last in the Tampa Bay Derby (he had won the six previous races). But the colt redeemed himself by fighting hard on Saturday, when he finished second in the Wood Memorial, even with three staples in his chin from a accidental cut he got while traveling the Thursday before. His trainer, Nick Zito, reports that he is proud of the effort.

Online betting and detailed coverage on the history, opinions and picks for the 2008 Kentucky Derby is available online at a reputable racebook.