Ram (D. Wayne Lukas, Ricardo Santana Jr.) 30-1
No Chance

Keepmeinmind (Robertino Diodora, David Cohen) 15-1
Runonnamessuck


Medina Spirit (Bob Baffert, John Velazquez) +180
I just don't get it. I thought that he really extended himself in the Derby. I'm not completely dismissing him, but I'm highly skeptical.


Crowded Trade (Chad Brown, Javier Castellano) 10-1
Intriguing. He ran 3rd in my favorite race of the year, The Wood Memorial-where Bourbonic stormed from WAY back to win at the wire. Crowded Trade's path was almost as dramatic. He was WAY back and just ahead of Bourbonic. He began weaving through heavy traffic, getting shut down here and there before finally emerging three wide. His home stretch spurt was dynamic and he closed down to 2nd before Bourbonic swept past him for the win.

Midnight Bourbon (Steve Asmussen, Irad Ortiz Jr.) 5-1
Nice horse. Got really banged and pinched at the start of the Derby. Fell back. Weaved his way back and found room 5 wide on the final turn. Nice sprint past tired horses before shutting it down at the end. Finished 6th, which is quite impressive, considering.

Rombauer (Mike McCarthy, Flavien Prat) 12-1
No

France Go De Ina (Hideyuki Mori, Joel Rosario) 20-1
Out of quarantine after his trip from Japan. I hear he's big in Japan.

Unbridled Honor (Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez) 15-1
I really liked his last race, The Lexington at Keeneland. Last to 2nd. He waited out the fast first half and blasted to the front when asked only pausing briefly when he got mega mud in his face as he worked his way up in the slop. Once clear, he cranked it up a gear and finished driving on the winner. Strong looking horse. Todd Trained.

Risk Taking (Chad Brown, Jose Ortiz) 15-1
Great jockey. Likeable bloodlines. Underwhelming performances

Concert Tour (Bob Baffert, Mike Smith) +250
Hmmm Mike Smith jumped from Midnight Bourbon to this horse. This horse was more highly regarded in Bouncy Bob's Barn until they forgot to treat him for "a skin condition" with "a special cream" (I made that stuff up). Regardless, this horse is to be reckoned with.


My way too early Picks
1. Concert Tour
2. Unbridled Honor
3. Midnight Bourbon
3. Crowded Trade





[Post edited by Newt at 05/11/2021 8:28PM]