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Who’s Your Daddy? The WirePlayers Derby Dozen (Volume 5)

Steve — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:17:38 +0000

After four months of preps, I’m not sure we have a better handle on what will happen in the Derby than when we started. This isn’t because we haven’t been paying attention, it’s just there’s about a dozen horses in the race that look to have a chance to win. Once you consider horses that can fill out the exotics, you’ve got a pretty long list (well, I do at least).

Uncertainty makes for excitement, and I gotta feeling this will be one of the most exciting Kentucky Derby’s we’ve seen in years (aided by the potential for some some HUGE exotic payouts).

But which horse is going to win? As you can tell below, opinions vary (see everyone’s entire ballots here).

For me, I’m torn between Bodemeister and Gemologist. My heart belongs to Bode, but my gut says Gemologist. Gemologist is ultra consistent with two wins at Churchill and the look of a horse that just doesn’t like to lose. But Bodemiester could be a flat out freak; the question is whether he’s ready to freak right now. For the sake of my friends at Audley Farm and my pride in the Old Dominion, I hope so. One thing’s for certain, I’ll be rooting hard for Bodemeister to make history!

I can’t say enough about the people who volunteered their time and expertise to be part of our Derby Dozen panel; many thanks!
Brian Zipse from Horse Racing Nation
Rob from Amateurcapper
Derek Brown
Geno from EquiSpace
The Turk
Tencentcielo
Tony Bada Bing from A Leg Up
Paul Mazur
Dylan Jarmulowicz
Crystal Conway

Horseplayer Paradise – WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume IV

Steve — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:18:17 +0000

Our Derby Dozen panel is filled with astute folks that understand the game and appreciate its complex history. But we are not of one mind when it comes to the top Derby contender (i.e., the most likely winner). No sir, 6 of the 12 horses on our list received #1 votes and none more than 3 apiece.

You could say that the lack of 1 or 2 clear standouts is a sign of mediocrity. I respectfully disagree. I believe it reflects a depth of talent and quality we don’t often see and which may produce a truly special horse – a gem if you will. It should also produce a terrific betting race – and by good betting race, I mean the opportunity to win a lot of money for a relatively small wager (yes, the Dime Super is your friend).

To paraphrase Sam Spade, Mrs. Munday didn’t raise any children dippy enough to make guesses about possible Triple Crown winners (considering we haven’t had one in 33 years). However, it’s likely this year’s Derby will feature a breakout performance by a remarkable horse; and at remarkably good odds (and large exotic payouts)!

But which horse? That is the question isn’t it.

Maybe “the Dozen” will help . . .

(PS – don’t sleep on the “also receiving votes” bin as there a few in there that could make some noise this Saturday)

Special thanks to our fearless Derby Dozen panel:
Brian Zipse from Horse Racing Nation
Rob from Amateurcapper
Derek Brown
Geno from EquiSpace
The Turk
Tencentcielo
Tony Bada Bing from A Leg Up
Paul Mazur
Dylan Jarmulowicz
Crystal Conway

A Cause Worth Celebrating – WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume III

Steve — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:30:27 +0000

New and improved, this edition of the Derby Dozen has three times more Baffert. Perhaps suffering a tongue lashing from the Mrs after being shut out of Volume II, Baffert raised his game. He came back strong to sweep both divisions of the Southwest Stakes and his BODEMEISTER finished a game 2nd in the San Felipe.

The biggest change is up top where CREATIVE CAUSE takes the honors despite UNION RAGS’ impressive performance in the Fountain of Youth. While each garnered four 1st place votes, it seems a few voters aren’t quite sold on ole UNION RAGS; especially our good friends in California. Is this the age old east coast vs. west coast bias?

I dunno, but I can’t recall a horse out of Dixie Union ever winning a race of any importance beyond 9 furlongs. There’s also money to be made capitalizing on the irrational exuberance of others; just ask any investor (e.g., gamblers who play the stock market). Stay tuned …

Special thanks to our friendly, dedicated, and knowledgeable Derby Dozen panel.
Brian Zipse from Horse Racing Nation
Rob from Amateurcapper
Derek Brown
Carly Kaiser
Geno from EquiSpace
The Turk
Tencentcielo
Tony Bada Bing from A Leg Up
Paul Mazur
Dylan Jarmulowicz
Crystal Conway

What’s New? It’s WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume II

Steve — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:08:23 +0000

Boy how time flies, the Derby preps are heating up and here we are with Volume II of our Derby Dozen.

After reading this list you may notice two things: 1) Bob Baffert is not very well represented (or is he?). 2) There are a couple of dudes (and I know who they are) who really like TAKE CHARGE INDY. What other nuggets of wisdom are hidden within? God only knows …

Special thanks to our tireless Derby Dozen panel (and a special shout out to new panelist Crystal!). Without these fine folks, following the Derby preps would be only half as fun.
Brian Zipse from Horse Racing Nation
Rob from Amateurcapper
Derek Brown
Carly Kaiser
Geno from EquiSpace
The Turk
Tencentcielo
Tony Bada Bing from A Leg Up
Paul Mazur
Dylan Jarmulowicz
Crystal Conway

Your Guide to KY Derby Glory – WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume I

Steve — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:12:49 +0000

Yes friends, it’s here again, Derby Road. While hopeful owners, trainers, and jockeys well . . ., jockey for a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, we’re here passing judgement with our Derby Dozen list. Sure, we offer the perfunctory 1 to 12 ranking you’ll find most anywhere, but our list offers opinions by opinionated people. If you pay attention closely you may just find a few nuggets of wisdom buried within (but no promises!).

At this point, no one knows which horse will win the Derby and it doesn’t really matter. What’s important is forming your own opinion about which horses might win the Derby and identifying those that are maturing and peaking at the right time. By following the Derby Preps closely you’ll have insights you can turn into cold hard cash come May 5th.

Follow the Derby preps using the handy dandy schedule on our KY Derby page and check in on our Derby Dozen list (we’ll vote every three weeks) to see if our opinions line up with yours. Putting the time in now may payoff later.

Special thanks to our expert Derby Dozen panel:
Brian Zipse from Horse Racing Nation
Rob from Amateurcapper
Derek Brown
Carly Kaiser
Geno from EquiSpace
The Turk
Tencentcielo
Tony Bada Bing from A Leg Up
Paul Mazur
Dylan Jarmulowicz

2012 Kentucky Derby Prep Race Schedule

Steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:31:32 +0000

This is my 2012 Kentucky Derby prep race schedule. There are many like it, but this one is mine. The Kentucky Derby is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. The Kentucky Derby, without me, is useless. Without the Kentucky Derby, I am useless.

Ok, ok, enough with my bastardization of the rifleman’s creed. At WirePlayers we’re kicking off our annual Kentucky Derby prep race coverage and here’s a handy schedule of key races. It will be updated as the Derby prep season progresses.

And stay tunned because next week we’ll debut this year’s WirePlayers Derby Dozen – guaranteed to satisfy and mystify.

2012 KY Derby & Triple Crown Prep Race Schedule

Date	Track	Stakes Race	Distance	Winner
Nov 19	Delta Downs	Delta Jackpot (G3 - $1M)	1 & 1/16 miles	SABERCAT ($18.00)
Dec 17	Hollywood Park	CashCall Futurity (G1 - $750K)	1 & 1/16 miles	LIAISON ($12.20)
Jan 7	Santa Anita	Sham Stakes (G3 - $100K)	1 & 1/16 miles	OUT OF BOUNDS ($22.60)
Jan 16	Oaklawn Park	Smarty Jones ($100K)	1 mile	JUNEBUGGED ($14.80)
Jan 21	Fair Grounds	Lecomte (G3 - $175K)	1 mile, 40 yrds	MR BOWLING ($9.20)
Jan 28	Laurel Park	Dancing Count S. ($100K)	6 furlongs	BEGGARTHYNEIGHBOR ($5.40)
Jan 29	Gulfstream Park	Holy Bull (G3 - $400K)	1 mile	ALGORITHMS ($7.00)
Feb 4	Tampa Bay Downs	Sam F. Davis (G3 - $200K)	1 and 1/16 miles	BATTLE HARDENED ($11.00)
Feb 4	Aqueduct	Withers (G3 - $200K)	1 and 1/16 miles	ALPHA ($2.70)
Feb 4	Santa Anita	Robert B. Lewis (G2 - $250K)	1 and 1/8 mile	I'LL HAVE ANOTHER ($88.60)
Feb 4	Turfway Park	WEBN Stakes ($50K)	1 mile	MR PRANKSTER ($5.80)
Feb 11	Gulfstream Park	Hutheson (G2 - $150K)	7 furlongs	THUNDER MOCCASIN ($2.40)
Feb 18	Golden Gate Fields	El Camino Real (G3 - $200K)	1 and 1/8 miles	DADDY NOSE BEST ($10.20)
Feb 19	Santa Anita	San Vincente (G2 - $150K)	7 furlongs	DRILL ($9.60)
Feb 20	Oaklawn Park	Southwest (G3 - $250K)	1 mile	CASTAWAY ($15.40)
Feb 20	Oaklawn Park	Southwest (G3 - $250K)	1 mile	SECRET CIRCLE ($3.20)
Feb 25	Fair Grounds	Risen Star (G2 - $300K)	1 and 1/16 miles	EL PADRINO ($3.60)
Feb 25	Laurel Park	Miracle Wood ($100K)	7 furlongs	THE LUMBER GUY ($2.80)
Feb 25	Sunland Park	Borderland Derby ($100K)	1 and 1/16 miles	ISN'T HE CLEVER ($5.00)
Feb 26	Gulfstream Park	Fountain of Youth (G2 - $400K)	1 and 1/16 miles	UNION RAGS ($4.40)
Mar 3	Turfway Park	John Battaglia Memorial ($100K)	1 and 1/16 miles	STATE OF PLAY ($6.00)
Mar 3	Aqueduct	Gotham (G3 - $400K)	1 and 1/16 miles	HANSEN ($3.60)
Mar 10	Gulfstream Park	Swale (G2 - $150K)	7 furlongs	TRINNIBERG ($17.20)
Mar 10	Santa Anita	San Felipe (G2 - $250K)	1 and 1/16 miles	CREATIVE CAUSE ($6.40)
Mar 10	Tampa Bay Downs	Tampa Bay Derby (G2 - $350K)	1 and 1/16 miles	PROSPECTIVE ($8.20)
Mar 11	Gulfstream Park	Palm Beach (G3 - $150K)	1 and 1/8 miles (turf)	HOWE GREAT ($3.40)
Mar 17	Oaklawn Park	Rebel (G2 - $500K)	1 and 1/16 miles	SECRET CIRCLE ($4.00)
Mar 17	Laurel Park	Private Terms ($100K)	1 mile	RACONTEUR ($5.60)
Mar 24	Turfway Park	Rushaway ($100K)	1 and 1/16 miles	FLASHY DRESSER ($5.60)
Mar 24	Turfway Park	Vinery Racing Spiral (G3 - $500K)	1 and 1/8 miles	WENT THE DAY WELL ($12.40)
Mar 25	Sunland Park	Sunland Derby (G3 - $800K)	1 and 1/8 miles	DADDY NOSE BEST ($9.40)
Mar 31	Gulfstream Park	Florida Derby (G1 - $1M)	1 and 1/8 miles	TAKE CHARGE INDY ($17.40)
Mar 31	Meydan	UAE Derby (G2 - $2M)	1,900 meters (~9.5 furlongs)	DADDY LONG LEGS ($22.80)
Apr 1	Fair Grounds	Louisiana Derby (G2 - $1M)	1 and 1/8 miles	HERO OF ORDER ($220.80)
Apr 6	Keeneland	Transylvania (G3 - $100K)	1 and 1/16 miles (Turf)	SILVER MAX ($8.60)
Apr 7	Aqueduct	Bay Shore (G3 - $250K)	7 furlongs	TRINNIBERG ($4.70)
Apr 7	Aqueduct	Wood Memorial (G1 - $1M)	1 and 1/8 miles	GEMOLOGIST ($4.40)
Apr 7	Santa Anita	Santa Anita Derby (G1 -$1M)	1 and 1/8 miles	I'LL HAVE ANOTHER ($10.20)
Apr 7	Hawthorne	Illinois Derby (G3 - $500K)	1 and 1/8 miles	DONE TALKING ($27.20)
Apr 14	Oaklawn Park	Arkansas Derby (G1 - $1M)	1 and 1/8 miles	BODEMEISTER ($6.80)
Apr 14	Keeneland	Blue Grass (G1 - $750K)	1 and 1/8 miles	DULLAHAN ($8.40)
Apr 21	Keeneland	Lexington (G3 - $200K)	1 and 1/16 miles	ALL SQUARED AWAY ($143.20)
Apr 21	Aqueduct	Jerome (G2 - $200K)	1 mile	THE LUMBER GUY ($6.50)
Apr 28	Churchill Downs	The Derby Trial (G3 - $200K)	1 mile	HIERRO ($12.00)
May 5	Churchill Downs	Kentucky Derby (G1)	1 and 1/4 miles
May 19	Pimlico	Preakness (G1)	1 and 3/16 miles
Jun 9	Belmont Park	Belmont Stakes (G1)	1 and 1/2 miles

Gasping for the Wire – Derby Dozen Volume VI

Steve — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:25:02 +0000

The Derby prep season is usually a war of attrition and this year holds form. In fact, we had our final vote just before Derby contender TOBY’s CORNER backed out due to an injury. What remains is a race with a rather ordinary field and few clear standouts.

It looks like DIALED IN will take most of the money as arguably the most consistent performer of the bunch and he gets the final #1 ranking in our poll (which we understand is highly valued among all the Derby connections). However, we’re a deeply divided group as 7 of the 20 starters received 1st place votes. And then there’s DECISIVE MOMENT who’s 50-1 on the morning line, but sneaks into the Dozen by virtue of TOBY’s withdraw. Can he sneak into the winner’s circle. Well, I know at least one guy who thinks so!

Special thanks to our tireless Derby Dozen panel:
Brian Zipse from Horse Racing Nation
Rob from Amateurcapper
Derek Brown
Brian from Railrunner
Carly Kaiser
Geno from EquiSpace
Jessica Paquette
The Turk
Tencentcielo
Tony Bada Bing from A Leg Up
Dylan Jarmulowicz

UNCLE MO Gets Taken to the Wood Shed – Derby Dozen Volume V

Steve — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:44:16 +0000

A topsy turvy three weeks has muddied the Derby picture somewhat. UNCLE MO’s surprising loss to a seemingly overmatched field in the Wood Memorial last weekend had some blaming trainer Todd Pletcher for his conservative training approach. Or maybe MO just isn’t a 9 furlong horse, never mind 10. He’s by Indian Charlie after all; a sire known for churning out milers, not classic distance runners.

Given all the uncertainty, our panel exercised some leniency and only dropped UNCLE MO one spot. A handful of voters even kept him as their #1 pick. UNCLE MO’s score may be the result of having no clear cut Derby favorite as six horses in our top twelve received #1 votes; and someone (I won’t name who), gave DECISIVE MOMENT a #1 vote which account for his entire point total.

With the Derby only four weeks away, looks like we’re in store for a wild ride.

WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume IV – No Spin Zone My Ass

Steve — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:57:37 +0000

Back from a trip to Sal Sagev and still trying to find my bearings – my head is in a daze and my knees are a little wobbly. Between throwing dice, firing back irish car bombs, and stuffing my gullet with $7 steaks, I found time to watch the Rebel Stakes.

THE FACTOR’s performance impressed enough of our Derby Dozen panel voters to rocket him to #4 on the list garnering 3 first place votes. Others were not as impressed. I didn’t toss him a single vote and Chris Hernandez, it seems, put THE FACTOR on his list just so he could rag on him.

Before betting the mortgage payment on May 7th, keep in mind he was lone speed on a speed favoring track. He looks like this year’s CONVEYANCE and I figure he’ll be done at the quarter pole in Louisville. But I’ve been wrong before, many times in fact, so we’ll just have to stay tuned to see what happens.

Until then, enjoy “the Dozen” . . .

Thanks to our Derby Dozen panel who made this possible:
Brian Zipse from Horse Racing Nation
Rob from Amateurcapper
Derek Brown
Brian from Railrunner
Carly Kaiser
Geno from EquiSpace
Jessica Paquette
The Turk
Tencentcielo
Tony Bada Bing from A Leg Up
Dylan Jarmulowicz

The Golden Sheen of Derby Dozen Volume III

Steve — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:56:00 +0000

Here’s the WirePlayers Derby Dozen shinning like a rock star in the distance. You try to reach for it, but it’s beyond the grasp of mere mortals. And if you were to fully comprehend the full power of this list, it might melt your mind.

This isn’t to say it’s greatness is beyond reproach. For instance, six of the twelve ranked horses ran in either the Risen Star or Fountain of Youth. Too many? Perhaps. Especially considering there’s not a single nominee out of the Southwest. And since Southwest Airlines will carry me to Vegas for the big dance, I should at least give them some props. It’s gonna be epic!

WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume II – Getting DIALED IN!

Steve — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:34:27 +0000

We know it’s dang early, but DIALED IN just demonstrated a powerful turn of foot. Not on Gulstream Park’s main track, but more importantly, in our Derby Dozen poll.

What would a WirePlayers Derby Dozen poll be without insightful commentary and opinions from our esteemed panel. And for good measure, I added my own addled thoughts. Is this information you can take to the windows? Sure. Then again, there’s no guarantee you’ll get anything back, but maybe you’ll have some fun and isn’t that what it’s really all about? And forgive me if I gloat, but there was a brief mention in our last edition about a certain Zito-trained maiden winner who was set to pop. And if you paired him with SWEET DUCKY in the exacta you’d have a little more change riding on your hip. And I’m not a “I told you so” kind of guy, but hey, I told you so.

Many thanks to our Derby Dozen panel!
Brian Zipse from Horse Racing Nation
Rob from Amateurcapper
Derek Brown
Brian from Railrunner
Carly Kaiser
Geno from EquiSpace
Jessica Paquette
The Turk
Tencentcielo
Tony Bada Bing from A Leg Up
Dylan Jarmulowicz

It’s Back – The 2011 Derby Dozen!

Steve — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:39:52 +0000

Buckle up folks, here comes Volume I of the 2011 WirePlayers Derby Dozen. I’ve enlisted friends from the blogosphere, Twittersphere, and Facebookosphere to track the leading Kentucky Derby contenders. With so many “Derby Dozen” lists out, why is this different? Because this one is “crowd sourced” – well, kinda anyway. It’s not based on one person’s opinion, but many persons’ opinions. Like the BCS poll, but without the artifice and manipulation.

The KY Derby is like Christmas for horse racing fans and you have to start planning early if you want to enjoy the full experience. I start getting ready for Christmas early too, in fact, my tree’s already up!

Take a look at our list and allow me to draw your attention to #12, DIALED IN. He’s running in an Allowance at Gulfstream Park on Friday and if the price is right, I might have a few of my dollars riding on his backside. If he’s on the Derby Dozen next time then I won; if he’s not, well, the less said, the better.