Horse Racing Fantasy Community

- You have to feel sorry for jockey Jon Court. The journeyman rider looked to have finally found a live Derby mount after upsetting the Arkansas Derby at 17-1 odds with Line of David, but trainer John Sadler and the connections have decided to go with Rafael Bejarano in the Run for the Roses. Court has won more than 3,000 races since breaking his maiden at someplace called Centennial Park in 1980. He deserved a shot in the big dance.

- The Wertheimer brothers have campaigned many top horses over the years and they have outfits in Europe and on both coasts here in the states. While they are eligible and assured a spot in the starting gate for the Derby with Interactif, you can bet they would rather have Santa Anita Derby runner-up Setsuko in the Run for the Roses, but he is currently sitting at #25 by graded earnings and could be kept out of the race. Things could get interesting if the late decision by Todd Pletcher to enter Devil May Care kee ps out Setsuko. It could very well lead to the end of Pletcher training for the powerful Wertheimer stable. Winning a race is tough enough without one of your trainers working against you.

- Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Joe Torre was at Churchill Downs on Wednesday morning to visit with trainer Richard Dutrow and his potential Derby starter Homeboykris. Surely, Torre would not have a middle reliever come off a layoff to be the starting pitcher in the seventh game of the World Series, but he has no trouble running his middle-distance colt off a long layoff in the Derby. Torre has been an amazing manager of athletes through his career, his horse deserves the same treatment.

- After a potential disaster was averted last year when a loose horse almost collided with Rachel Alexandra in morning training hours, Churchill Downs has decided to give Oaks and Derby contenders a private training session right after main track is renovated at 8:30 a.m. While many of the trainers are happy with this change, it has been to the detriment of fans and handicappers. Unlike in past years when the horses were sent out at various times to train, the majority are now on the track at the same time. It makes it very tough for those on-track to see all the horses in this short window of time. Deciding which horse to watch train during the busy session is almost as tough as trying to pick a winner.

- Since the year 2001, four freshman sires have produced a Kentucky Derby winner in there first crop: 2001 - Monarchos (Maria's Mon); 2003 - Funny Cide (Distorted Humor); 2007 - Street Sense (Street Cry); 2009 - Mine That Bird (Birdstone)... If you think that trend will continue this year, there are plenty of options: Homeboyrkis and Rule (Roman Ruler); Stately Victor (Ghostzapper); Dean's KItten (Kitten's Joy); Setsuko (Pleasantly Perfect); Dublin (Afleet Alex).

- Despite his countless billions, Sheikh Mohammed has come to learn one can not buy a victory in the Kentucky Derby. While optimistic owners are willing to pay millions for a yearling trying to get Derby success, there are no million dollar purchases headed for the Derby this year. The most expensive purchase expected to enter the starting gate is Dublin, a $ graduate of the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.