I've started writing this blog three times so far, and because of some technology issues, I'm starting from scratch yet again.  Maybe it had to do with me having so many screen open- between YouTube and past performance sheets, my notes, other articles... I'll admit it once again, I've caught the Derby Fever.  By now... I usually know who I'll be cheering for the first weekend in May... but not this year. With only four weeks until Derby, I feel like I have more questions than answers.  Hopefully, this weekend will clear some of it up for me.

Let's start with the Wood Memorial.  Eskendereya is the clear front runner, but the fact that we have only seen some of these horses run once this year, it shakes my confidence.  Don't get me wrong, I get the warm fuzzies watching his race replays.  I like this horse.  His performance this weekend will show if he is the real deal.  He will be facing some stiff competition, two standouts for mebeing Schoolyard Dreams and Awesome Act.  This is a race that trying to handicap has cost me two pots of coffee, a highlighter, and quite a few exasperated sighs.  Probably not a race I'll bet, but definately one I'll be watching.

Moving on to the Santa Anita Derby... the battle of Sidney's Candy and Lookin At Lucky.  Like I said last week, I'm a fan of the Baffert/ Gomez combination, and I expect big things from Lookin At Lucky.  I may have picked him for my RTTR stable based on the jockey/trainer combination, but so far its working for me!  My triactor key will be Lookin At Lucky in front of Sidney's Candy, Setsuko and Caracortado.

Lastly of my picks for the week, the Illinois Derby.  There doesn't seem to be any true speed horses in here.  I think Yawanna Twist is one of the most intriguing Derby contenders in this race,  coming second to Awesome Act in the Gotham.  Boulder Creek will be making his dirt debut, which I hope will prove fruitful after a sixth place in the Sham Stakes... on paper he doesn't look great, but this is another horse I've liked from the beginning.  The only other horse I had to keep in my picks was Backtalk, his workouts haven't been impressive, but he looked good his first start of the year.  My pick for the triactor box will be Yawanna Twist, Boulder Creek and Balktalk.  Turf Melody on paper seems to be a closer, but is having his eleventh start at his eleventh track (one of them being Woodbine).

Tomorrow is also Standardbreds Forever Day at Northlands Park, and starting at noon you can get your picture taken with the 2004 Horse of the Year in Alberta, Disagreement.  There is also a harness handicapping contest at Northlands on April 10th a chance to win a  2010 Dodge Challenger and up to $1000 in cash. 

Happy Handicapping,

Kelli