Derby Blogs

Jill Byrne
Mid-West

March Madness, bracketology, and the road to the roses.

Monday, March 12, 2007

As college basketball is in full swing with March Madness , I've come up with my team of potential Kentucky Derby contenders headed for the "Elite 8". The problem is that 5 of them all have the same "coach".

From the Pletcher stable I can easily see Circular Quay, Scat Daddy, Ravel, Any Given Saturday and Cowtown Cat making it to the big dance off recent dominating performances. Great Hunter , Street Sense, and no, I haven't given up on him yet, Nobiz Like Shobiz, round out my top eight. But, is there a George Mason or Gonzaga out there that could break into the mix with the next round of play coming up ? Could it come from the West Region with Cobalt Blue ? How about the Midwest region with maybe Curlin or Flying First Class ? And in the South Region could Chelokee pull an upsetter in the final seconds ? As Dick Vitale would say " It's awesome baby ! " and the excitement that unfolds in the final road to the roses is horse racing's May Madness.

Posted by Jill Byrne | Jill's Blog

7 Responses

william french

March 14, 2007 - 8:39pm #

Thank you for responding! I'm not a swami kinda guy he's been my horse since his alw. win at Kee. The way he ran against Tiz wonderful in the jockey club at CD shows all kinds of ability. Street Sense never showed that kind run before he caught a speed bias track, which CD is known for doing on huge racing days. Although it would not surprise me in the least if won. I just think all these two preps then onto the derby is odd, but that is me being selfish because I've been waiting for Grapelli and Ravel for two months. Thanks again....

Jill Byrne

March 14, 2007 - 1:48pm #

I will be at Turfway Lanes End day so I will take a close look at him. Once again , as a member of the Pletcher bench he has to be given strong consideration.

Jill Byrne

March 14, 2007 - 1:46pm #

Thank you for the comments ! And yes if you are a believer in the "swami" angle then I would say Any Given Saturday is as good as it gets. Interesting to see how he does on saturday in the Tampa Bay Derby against Street Sense. He has the recent race and race over the track advantage for an edge, but I still haven't seen him really belly down in the stretch yet. Street Sense may not win this round with his running style but I feel he is potentially a better horse. His Breeders Cup juvenile run was as impressive a performance as I have seen and he has been subsequently flattered by Circular Quay , Great Hunter and Stormello.

william french

March 13, 2007 - 9:27pm #

Jill, you possibly have the best blogs on the entire sight!! You actually update your site, and take time to give great analysis. Born and bred in Louisville and being 5mins. from the track my cousin and I talk derby and horses all the time. I just wanted to tell you keep it up..... OH Any Given Saturday the first saturday in may is there some similarity there?

Craig Johnson

March 12, 2007 - 11:39pm #

When Twilight Meteor gets done with the Lane's End. Add him to the mix. That is a big stoudt, long striding colt

Jill Byrne

March 12, 2007 - 9:34pm #

I guess you could add Wafi City after his decent second in the Gotham as an underdog. Sam P. , once again, same coach, and may not be in his top group. I also think he has had enough opportunities to break through.........but with Pletcher you sure can't discount him.

Jeffrey Bessa

March 12, 2007 - 3:03pm #

Nice analogy Jill. Here's an underdog....Bwana Bull or maybe BirdBirdistheWord (who could improve 2nd off the layoff in next start). You also didn't mention Sam P. Is he an underdog?