Race #10-THE KENTUCKY DERBY G1-$1,000,000-1 1/4 Mile *GRADE ONE STAKES HORSES*

Top Selection: S69 PP#8 Barbaro Prado 123/125 *SBB, FFS*

Second Selection: G75 PP#2 Steppenwolfer Albarado 120/125 *SSP, BLZ*

Third Selection: G78 PP#13 Bluegrass Cat Dominguez 116/120

Fourth Selection : S67 PP#11 Sweetnorthernsaint Desormeaux 115/125

Fifth Selection : G78 PP#3 Keyed Entry Valenzuela 112/120 *LSJ*

(*GOLD RUSH LEVEL*)FULL COMMENTS :

Barbero has done everything that has been asked of him. He is undefeated in 5 lifetime starts. He has won on turf and dirt and an off track. While Mike Matz is new to the high society of the KY Derby, there is no reason to think this one will not run big. With exceptional tactical speed, Barbero has the ability to rate well behind the horse that rocket to the lead and stalk them into the far turn. When they come for home, Edgar Prado should have excellent position to pounce and you can bet he will be pumping and driving to bring home Derby Gold. 4-1 morning line is very generous and we will take 4-1 gladly, as well as some big $$$ in the exotics. A solid horse with a one month rest will help Barbero bring home the roses.

Steppenwolfer has the best style of racing to help him run well in this oversized field. As with most Derby's, the field will swell and undulate in and out forcing horses wide and squishing others on the rail. Steppenwolfer can take back and relax for the first half of this race. With his quiet early race, he will have a lot left for the stretch run and then must negotiate a gauntlet of tiring and weaving horses through the stretch. Whileeveryone is pushing Lawyer Ron, I would tell you this is the unsung hero of the Rebel, and Arkansas Derby's. Jockey Robby Albarado is a Kentucky jockey and he knows Churchill Downs very very well. I would say and put my reputation on it that Robby will be the next Pat Day in Kentucky and Mid West racing. I think we will see very long odds of possibly 10-1 or 15-1 on Steppenwolfer, and he has the ability and racing style to help him excel and finish in the top three in this race. Our Exotics should return some big $$$ if we can get Steppenwolfer in the top 3.

Bluegrass Cat was John Velasquez hand picked horse to ride in this years Kentucky Derby. The Stick is a very strong fan and suppoter of Johhny V. We were saying years ago he was going to be the top rider in NY and the country. Well, he got hurt in a spill at Keeneland and had to miss out on riding this horse. However, Todd Pletcher gave him the choice of this one or the very speedy, Keyed Entry. Johnny V picked this one, even though he had already lost at Tampa Bay Downs. Now thats really saying something that he would stand by this horse even after he ran a very bad race at Tampa. This horse was the "NOW" horse after he set a track record winning earlier in the year. Everyone knows Todd Pletcher is a brilliant trainer, and I think he will use Keyed entry as a "RABBIT" to burn out the other front runners in favor of this horse. Bluegrass Cat is going to offer HUGE odds to the fans, and he is really a very talented and capable horse. Lets use him and thrown him into our exotics and see if can catch a price.

Sweet Northen Saint ran a huge race in the Illinois Derby, and is in fact a very powerful front runner. We would have loved this horse if he did not have to face all the other speed horses in this race. That being said, 'Saint' looks to have a solid record with almost double digit victories. His loss in NY was not that bad, and it was at a shorter distance. It would appear that 'Saint' can stretch out and should enjoy being on or near the lead in this years Derby. The only question will be can he hold on. He might and we should not be surprised to see this one finish in our Triple or Superfecta plays to help boost our payoffs into the stratosphere ! This is a live front runner with Kent Desormeaux, use him in exotics.

Keyed Entry is going to be pushed to on or near the lead also by P.Val. This one has wonderful tactical speed also, but is a question mark for staminia ? At the end of the race, he sometimes tires and stops right before the wire. This makes us question his ability to win in this race, but he is not beyond an in the money appearance, or a surprise middle move to win at very long odds. Keyed Entry may need a few more races to truly mature and develop into a top handicap horses. However, with that said, this one is trained by Todd Pletcher, and he should have this colt ready for a powerhouse performance. You call on this one.

Finally, enjoy this race, its our true Americana. This is spectacle that American's should enjoy. The race is steep in tradition and history. Lets have fun guys and hopefully bring home a big payoff ! Best Regards - MC, "The Stick"

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Race #11

Top Selection: G78 PP#8 Yes Yes Yes Gomez 107/110 *SBB*

Second Selection: S64 PP#5 Likely Leparoux 105/115 *BLZ*

Third Selection: D87 PP#2 Sunshinenbeer Castanon 103/105 *LSJ*

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Race #12

Top Selection: G73 PP#7 Silver Magnum Graham 87/90

Second Selection: G76 PP#3 Moo Man Castanon 85/90

Third Selection: D80 PP#9 Coalition Partner McKee 83/90 *SSP*

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*GO WIN BIG* and Enjoy Your Day !

Best Luck,
MC, The Stick Horse Racing Dot Com

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