Preakness Thoughts & Bodie Pics
Yazan: Steve | 17 May 2012 | No Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
The 2nd leg of the Triple Crown shifts from blue grass Kentucky to blue collar Baltimore. Whereas the Kentucky Derby is Mint Juleps and fancy hats, the Preakness is beer and ‘wife beaters.’ Saturday’s crowd at Pimlico will reflect Baltimore’s intriguingly unassuming quirkiness compared to Churchill’s predictably conformist high-class posers. Neither event is better or [...]
Who’s Your Daddy? The WirePlayers Derby Dozen (Volume 5)
Yazan: Steve | 03 May 2012 | 1 Comment
Categories: Horse Racing
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 [...]
Discovering Untouched Talent at Virginia’s Audley Farm
Yazan: Steve | 29 April 2012 | 2 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
In 137 runnings of the Kentucky Derby, only four Virginia bred horses have ever won. The most recent was SEA HERO in 1993 and the most notable was Triple Crown winner SECRETARIAT in 1973, arguably the greatest horse to ever win the Derby. Arkansas Derby winner BODEMEISTER is considered by some to be a California [...]
Horseplayer Paradise – WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume IV
Yazan: Steve | 11 April 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
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 [...]
A Cause Worth Celebrating – WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume III
Yazan: Steve | 14 March 2012 | 3 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
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 [...]
Who Is Ponce de Leon? Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes Preview
Yazan: Dylan | 26 February 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
Gulfstream Park’s $400k Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes takes the Sunday spotlight. Very few Fountain of Youth winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby (Thunder Gulch in 1995 was the most recent and before that, Spectacular Bid in 1979), but several have gone on to successful stud careers (notably 1997 winner Pulpit [...]
What’s New? It’s WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume II
Yazan: Steve | 23 February 2012 | 2 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
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 [...]
Your Guide to KY Derby Glory – WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume I
Yazan: Steve | 01 February 2012 | 6 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
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 [...]
2012 Kentucky Derby Prep Race Schedule
Yazan: Steve | 26 January 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Horse Racing
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, [...]
What I’ve Learned – Triple Crown Edition
Yazan: Derek | 13 June 2011 | Comments Off
Categories: Horse Racing
Now that the dust has settled on one of the stranger Triple Crown seasons of recent memory, Derek Brown takes some time to reflect on what the last five weeks have taught him about playing the races and making the most of the Triple Crown experience. [...]
Five Reasons You Can’t Blame Animal Kingdom for Losing the Preakness
Yazan: Steve | 25 May 2011 | Comments Off
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
It’s been four days and I’m still trying to figure out why ANIMAL KINGDOM lost to SHACKELFORD in the Preakness. It’s not that ANIMAL KINGDOM was a lock to win, it’s just that I didn’t figure on SHACKELFORD being able to hold off ANIMAL KINGDOM given the predicted pace scenario. With a nod to ESPN, [...]
Talkin’ Preakness Stakes, Suffolk Opening Day, SSoH & More!
Yazan: Dylan | 20 May 2011 | 6 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
In addition to the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, Saturday is opening day for Suffolk Downs and Dylan J. is here to provide his take on the card. Fans are always ready and excited for Opening Day, whether it is a rainy April Day at Fenway Park, or a Sunny day in May across town at [...]
Preakness – 2nd Jewel in the Pick 4 Triple Crown
Yazan: Derek | 19 May 2011 | 6 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
After a juicy pick 4 on Derby day that paid over $6,000 for $.50, it’s time to jump back into the pool on Saturday for Pimlico’s late pick 4 sequence that ends with the Preakness in race 12. While it has the potential to be a chalky sequence, I’ve put together a $72 ticket that [...]
WirePlayers “League of Destiny” Run for the Roses Final Standings
Yazan: Steve | 13 May 2011 | Comments Off
Categories: Horse Racing
Congratulations to Marike Emery of Toronto for winning the WirePlayers Run for the Roses “League of Destiny.” As our champion, Marike is entitled to a $25 gift card of her choice (so long as I can find it at the local grocery store). WirePlayers League of Destiny Top 10 Rank Points Stable Name Contestant 1 [...]
Gasping for the Wire – Derby Dozen Volume VI
Yazan: Steve | 04 May 2011 | 7 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
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 [...]
