Blog of a Horse Racing Enthusiast

The early line for the Arkansas Derby is out and my opinion about who the main players are in this race remain Optimizer and Secret Circle. Here is a breakdown of the field and how I'll be betting.

El Padrino is a Pulpit and Enchanted Rock colt. He was #18 on the earnings list as of April 1st, but with his loss in the Florida Derby and a few other upset wins in major graded stakes races, it is very unlikely he'll make an appearance on May 5th. There are some new hopefuls in the top 20 and there's not enough time for El Padrino to get a final prep race in. Unless there are a few sit-outs, don't expect to see El Padrino.

Reveron is a Songandaprayer and Carolina Sunrise colt. In seven career starts he's 3-2-2, never finishing out of the money. That includes a win in the Gulfstream Park Derby, a show in the Sam F. Davis G3, and most recently a place in the Florida Derby. Despite all that, this horse is not getting the attention he deserves.

Unfortunately, without seeing a line for either race, all I have is a foggy idea of what horses I will be using. Check back Friday afternoon for a final update on these two races.

Isn't He Clever is a Smarty Jones and Sharp Minister colt. He's got 4 wins and 2 places in 7 attempts. He ran strong in the Sunland Derby but was edged out by Daddy Nose Best at the wire. His next start is scheduled for the Arkansas Derby.

Optimizer is an English Channel and Indy Pick colt. He broke his maiden on his first attempt and finished third in the Breeders' Futurity during his two-year old campaign. Despite not placing in the money in his first two races as a three-year old, he finished second in the Rebel G2 under new jockey Jon Court.

Alpha is a Bernardini and Munnaya colt. He broke his maiden in convincing fashion and, despite a disappointing finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile G1, has gotten off to a solid 3 year old campaign. He won the Count Fleet and Withers G3 at Aqueduct earlier this year and ran a very solid 2nd in the Wood Memorial. He came very close to edging out Gemologist but had to pull up twice during the race.

Trinniberg is a Teuflesberg and Bella Dorato colt. He won the Swale G3 at Gulfstream Park in his three year old debut which shows signs of progress after a disappointing 7th place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint.

Castaway rates for an entry simply because he was #24 on the earnings lists effective April 1st. However, this will be a brief update because we don't believe we'll see Castaway in the Run for the Roses on May 5th. He's a Street Sense and Priceless Storm colt who required six races and five different jockeys to break his maiden. Despite a win in the Southwest G3 at Oaklawn Park, he was unable to handle the pace in the Sunland Derby and finished well out of the money at 7th.

My God, I love all the Southern California tracks, but my betting fortunes over there have been less than stellar. It was at Santa Anita that I first learned I could make winning bets and lose money. Here is a breakdown of the field and how I'll be betting.