Looking at the pedigrees of recent Derby winners

[Calzone Lord]

The Derby is about as brutal of a race to handicap as you'll see all year...but it's also a great race to analyze after it is over.

Really, the most exciting and anticipatory thing about the Derby -- should be the moment when the pace figures and speed figures are released...allowing you to finally fire up the DVR and watch the replay, which includes the greatest angle of all...the overhead blimp shot!

In a sane world, the Preakness should be the most anticipated race.

The Derby answers all of the many questions you don't know. The Preakness is a test of whether or not you have a good opinion...

And by the Belmont, you're left dealing with more questions. Between the unusual 12 furlong distance, and wondering who has or hasn't been knocked out by the meat-grinder Triple Crown series, it's also a very challenging race to handicap...generally speaking.