5/5: Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby Day)

[golfer]

10th: 26th Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1), 4+, 9f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Feels like the race on the card that will play the most straightforwardly with speeds assuring a fair chance for all styles..

Most Likely: #2 Turallure 5-2 7th
Next Best: #6 Doubles Partner 4-1 4th
Best Value: #5 Slim Shadey 20-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #10 Brilliant Speed 12-1 3rd

Surprised there has been no mention here (as far as I can see) about the curious way this race was run. On paper, while I believed Little Mike would lead the way, the presence of Get Stormy and Turbo Compressor should have ensured at the very least a legitimate, if not super fast pace. It seems Dominguez and Bejarano had other ideas. Their surprising tactical decision did not help their mounts, who finished 9th and 8th respectively, nor did it help any of the closers in the race (obviously), or most people who handicapped the race. It did help Little Mike.

I happened to catch Brad Thomas on the Meadowlands feed, LAMBASTE (my word) the jocks in question, calling the tactics "bad for the game". He also said stewards should met out punishment in situation like this. I thought that was refreshingly honest for him to say what many of us were thinking.