I already feel bad for whoever gets the 1 post. doomed at the start....and the 2 and 3 aren't much better. I always eliminate those 3 posts from any handicapping.

It’s been 31 years since a winner has come out of the inside-most post.

You do realize that with twenty entries almost every year the one post should have one or two wins in thirty one years?

Epicharis confirmed for Belmont Stakes; eligible for $1M bonus
By Dave Grening

Epicharis, the Japanese-bred 3-year-old who would have been eligible to run in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, was confirmed as a starter for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 10, it was announced late Tuesday night.

Should he win the Belmont, Epicharis would earn his connections a $1 million bonus the New York Racing Association announced earlier this year it was offering for any Japanese-based horse that would come and win the 1 1-2-mile race. That is on top of the $800,000 first-place purse.

It is expected that the Belmont will be offered for wagering in Japan, making it the first Triple Crown race available for simulcast in that country. Wagering will be conducted through a separate, non-commingled pool.

This will mark the second straight year that a Japanese-bred horse will run in the Belmont Stakes. Last year, Lani participated in all three Triple Crown races, his best finish being a third in the Belmont behind Creator and Destin.

Epicharis, a son of Gold Allure trained by Kiyoshi Hagiwara, won his first four starts before getting beat a nose by Thunder Snow in the $2 million UAE Derby at Meydan on March 27. Epicharis had been eligible to compete in the Kentucky Derby by earning the most qualifying points from two races that Churchill Downs dubbed as the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Epicharis is expected to ship to Belmont on June 1. His regular rider Christophe Lemaire will have the mount.

Epicharis is owned by U. Carrot Farm, a Japanese-based syndicate that won the 2005 American Oaks at Hollywood Park with Cesario, believed to be the first Japanese-bred Grade 1 winner in the U.S.

143rd KENTUCKY DERBY

1 Lookin at Lee (Steve Asmussen/Corey Lanerie) 20-1
2 Thunder Snow (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon) 20-1
3 Fast and Accurate (Mike Maker/Channing Hill) 50-1
4 Untrapped (Steve Asmussen/Ricardo Santana Jr.) 30-1
5 Always Dreaming (Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez) 5-1
6 State of Honor (Mark Casse/Jose Lezcano) 30-1
7 Girvin (Joe Sharp/Mike Smith) 15-1
8 Hence (Steve Asmussen/Florent Geroux 15-1
9 Irap (Doug O'Neill/Mario Guttierez) 20-1
10 Gunnevera (Antonio Sano/Javier Castellano) 15-1
11 Battle of Midway (Jerry Hollendorfer/Flavian Prat) 30-1
12 Sonneteer (Keith Desormeaux/Kent Desormeaux) 50-1
13 J Boys Echo (Dale Romans/Luis Saez) 20-1
14 Classic Empire (Mark Casse/Julien Leparoux) 4-1
15 McCraken (Ian Wilkes/Brian Hernandez Jr.) 5-1
16 Tapwrit (Todd Pletcher/Jose Ortiz) 20-1
17 Irish War Cry (Graham Motion/Rajiv Maragh) 6-1
18 Gormley (John Shirreffs/Victor Espinoza) 15-1
19 Practical Joke (Chad Brown/Joel Rosario) 20-1
20 Patch (Todd Pletcher/Tyler Gaffalione) 30-1
AE/21. Royal Mo (John Shirreffs/Gary Stevens) 20-1
AE/22. Master Plan (Todd Pletcher/) 50-1

Steve ...thanks

Your opinion....who was compromised who was helped...Appears to be speed seated in 2-6 except Untrapped)...#1 Lookin at Lee a closer so may not be hurt. Classic Empire and Mc Craken look good. Irish War Cry got the 0fer spot but is outside where probably really wanted to be.

The draw soundly eliminated 7 horses for me. CE drawing 14 may need to be reconsidered as much as I loathe his chances. If any horse is going to win from 17 Irish War Cry one that can certainly accomplish it.

Its there for the taking for irish war cry and 6-1 would be nice. I think winner is from posts 14 through 17.

DRF entries has an interesting lineup for the race...

I think so too, Tom. Though I am not dismissing Hence/Irap yet. Absolutely love where McCracken and Tapwrit drew.

;)

Oh I think I'd take 3yo Giants Causeway there.

Irish War Cry draws post 17

NO COLT has ever won the KD in 142 years starting from post 17

But he is a Jersey Bred, he does not know better...I think the preferred him on the outside.

Agree they got perfect spots for both of them and expect them to be much better than that last race.

It wasn't attempted in 104 of the 142 derbies.

Any free PPs with post positions included out there? I have to throw someting together quick for an office pool. Thanks in advance.

Twinspires/Brisnet has one. I tried attaching it but the file is too large.

SATURDAY OVERNIGHT: http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbH...C-CD-20170506D

BUT 17 is better than the 1 post.