Triple Crowner  

            The headlines around horse racing this week termed it a “stunning upset” as early Derby favorite Old Fashioned was upset by 56-1 long shot Win Willy, but here at the Starting Gate, I wasn’t as surprised as the headlines were. I wrote a few weeks ago after his race in the Southwest Stakes that he didn’t impress me enough to be the favorite in the run for the roses so watching him get caught in the stretch in this race didn’t surprise me. Just like in the Southwest he raced against Silver City and while it looked like Silver City was the reason he struggled in the Southwest, Silver City might have tired him out giving Win Willy the opportunity to win this one. So as the saying goes “What have you done for me lately,” look for Old Fashioned to slip in the next round of early Derby pool betting, and look for his stable mate Friesan Fire to rise to the top. I have to give ace handicapper Matt C. credit on this one as he told me to watch out for this horse two months ago. He was right on the money with this horse and I have to agree that he seems to be the favorite right now. Friesan Fire was very impressive in the Louisana Derby making it a sweep in the three major stakes races at Fairgrounds this year. He won this race on a sloppy track and showed some great tactical speed stalking the pace and then pouncing to put the competition away in a race that was considered to be wide open.

This weekend keep your eyes on the Lanes End Stakes at Turfway where West Side Bernie will be facing off against Bittel Road. These two horses are the class of the race that features a field of 12. Bittel Road has faced tough company in California including being beat in his last two races by Pioneerof the Nile, a leading contender for the Derby. Bittel road is trained by Todd Pletcher and will have Garret Gomez as the jockey. West Side Bernie won the Kentucky Cup Juvenile last year at Turfway and drew the four post in this one. He has posted three consecutive races of over 100 Beyers and will be coming off the pace. I am taking Bittel Road over West Side Bernie though. I am looking to the outside in this race as well with the 12 horse, Proceed Bee. This horse closed very nicely in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes in February and I think he will be closing along with the favorites. I am putting it in writing here that I think this horse has the capability to pull off the upset. It is somewhat of a gut feeling, especially considering he hasn't posted a beyer above 87, but at 12-1, I am putting some money on him across the board along with him in my exotics.

            As I mentioned earlier, Matt C. was right on with Friesan Fire and with the great success of my blog here on Nesn.com and his ace handicapping, we are proud to announce that we will be launching a live radio broadcast called Track Talk over the internet beginning next Friday night at 11pm. I invite anyone to join in the conversation as we will be discussing what has happened on the Derby trail so far, and be handicapping the Florida Derby, a race won last year by Big Brown. You can listen live and call in from the internet or over the phone. We would love to hear your thoughts on the races. Check out our show page here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Triple-Crowner.