Talkin' Derby

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Don't worry, I plagarize yet again today. This document is much easier to decipher here than it is below. It's a juxtaposition of the Derby Prep races from 2008 to 2009, and was compiled by Daily Racing Form editor-in-chief, Steven Crist. He took the data from this useful page. (sorry this chart looks like crap, I had a super difficult time with it. I'd recommend just clicking the first link)

2009 winner	BSF	Race	BSF	2008 winner

. Friesan Fire 93 LeComte 95 Z Fortune . The Pamplemousse 96 San Rafael 98 El Gato Malo . Saratoga Sinner 96 Holy Bull 88 Hey Byrn . Pioneerof the Nile 94 RB Lewis 93 Crown of Thorns . Friesan Fire 96 Risen Star 90 Pyro . General Quarters 100 Sam Davis 85 Fierce Wind . Chocolate Candy 90 El Camino Real 88 Autism Awareness . Old Fashioned 93 Southwest 96 Denis of Cork . Quality Road 113 Fountain of Youth 98 Cool Coal Man . The Pamplemousse 103 Sham 86 Colonel John . I Want Revenge 113 Gotham 98 Visionaire . Friesan Fire 104 Louisiana Derby 95 Pyro . Pioneerof the Nile 90 San Felipe 92 Georgie Boy . Win Willy 102 Rebel 99 Sierra Sunset . Musket Man 90 Tampa Bay Derby 93 Big Truck . Hold Me Back 97 Lane's End 92 Adriano . Quality Road 111 Florida Derby 106 Big Brown . Musket Man 98 Illinois Derby 102 Recapturetheglory . I Want Revenge 103 Wood Memorial 93 Tale of Ekati . Pioneerof the Nile 96 SA Derby 95 Colonel John

. Papa Clem 99 Arkansas Derby 103 Gayego . General Quarters 95 Blue Grass 92 Monba . . 98.7 AVERAGE 94.4

Point being that this year's crop is much faster than last year's. Last year's trifecta was Big Brown, Eight Belles and Denis of Cork. Eight Belles is not featured on this list (being female, all of her Derby preps were against other females). Denis of Cork beat his 2009 counterpart, whereas Big Brown, the Derby winner and overwhelming favorite "lost" to his 2009 counterpart, Quality Road, who likely be the second or third favorite this year. Colonel John, the winner of the 2008 Santa Anita Derby and (if my memory is correct) was about the 2nd, 3rd or 4th betting favorite in the Derby finished way back. The Derby was his first race on dirt, much like it will be for the 2009 Santa Anita Derby winner, Pioneer of the Nile. One of my biggest knocks on Pioneer of the Nile is my fear that he is the 2009 Colonel John.

Should be a great Derby.