Kentucky Derby Live Blog

Posted 05/03/2008 6:53 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:53:04 -0400

Big Brown has the look of a horse who could win the Triple Crown. Now, it's on to the Preakness.

Thanks for reading today, folks. See you next year.

Posted 05/03/2008 6:31 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:31:29 -0400

Wow!

That was something.

Big Brown is clearly incredible.

My horses ran 12th, 17th, and 20th.

Again, wow.

Posted 05/03/2008 5:52 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:52:18 -0400

With the bankroll at $74, let's swing for the fences.

$20 to win on Gayego.

$5 exacta box Gayego, Monba, and Visionaire.

$1 exacta Monba over ALL

$15 to show on Anak Nakal

It's almost time for My Old Kentucky Home.

See you after the race.

Posted 05/03/2008 5:45 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:45:35 -0400

Big Brown has entered the paddock.

Posted 05/03/2008 5:41 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:41:29 -0400

The horses for the 134th Kentucky Derby are entering the paddock. We have less than 30 minutes until post time.

And the sun has been shining for hours. What a perfect day.

Posted 05/03/2008 5:29 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:29:33 -0400

Many of the horses are in the mile chute at the top of the backstretch. They'll get walked around in circles for a few minutes before the walkover to the paddock begins.

Posted 05/03/2008 5:24 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:23:36 -0400

The winners of the Wood Memorial, Blue Grass Stakes, and Arkansas Derby are 40-1, 30-1, and 20-1.

Unreal.

Posted 05/03/2008 5:19 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:19:09 -0400

The horses are on the way over to the paddock. This is one of the most exciting times of the year in our sport.

I ended up betting Gayego to win, and I will have the exacta if he, Monba, or Visionaire win.

Posted 05/03/2008 5:04 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:04:25 -0400

Derby Odds report:

Big Brown is 5-2. If you bet $2 to win on him, and he wins, you will profit $5.

Colonel John is 9-2.

Pyro is 5-1.

Eight Belles is next at 11-1.

My top picks, Gayego, Monba, and Visionaire are 19-1, 30-1, and 22-1.

Posted 05/03/2008 4:51 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:51:34 -0400

We're getting down to the wire. I can't decide where I should watch the Derby. Should I go to the paddock?

Decisions.

Posted 05/03/2008 4:33 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:33:38 -0400

The bankroll has dipped to $84 from the original $100. So we need to make a move here in race 9, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, as it's the last race before the Derby.

Speed has been virtually unbeatable on the lawn here all week. And #4 Thorn Song likes to be on the lead. But I am wondering if #1 Out of Control will be close enough to pull it out.

$10 to win on #1 Out of Control.

Posted 05/03/2008 4:25 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:25:25 -0400

Who is Heidi Montag? And why is she getting more attention on the red carpet than Smokey Robinson?

This is a crime, and it will not stand.

Heidi Montag?

Posted 05/03/2008 4:16 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:16:54 -0400

Speaking of Chelsea Clinton, is it me, or has she gotten pretty darn good-lookin' recently.

Posted 05/03/2008 4:13 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:13:50 -0400

Chelsea Clinton is scheduled to make an appearance here today. The word on the street is that she likes Eight Belles.

I haven't seen her yet. But I DID see a whole slew of bomb-sniffing dogs.

I guess they could have just been regular dogs. I'm assuming they were sniffing for bombs. Either way, they were sniffing for something.

Posted 05/03/2008 4:05 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:05:32 -0400

We're at about the two hour mark. If you're drinking, have one for me, cuz I can't drink here in the CDBCC.

Posted 05/03/2008 3:53 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:51:03 -0400

The bankroll sits at $94. Let's play $5 to win and place on #7 Miraculous Miss here in the 8th race, the Humana Disaff.

Posted 05/03/2008 3:43 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:43:53 -0400

The women in hats out number the women without hats at least 25 to 1.

The women without hats outnumber the sober people in the infield 3 to 2.

On a different note, does Eight Belles have a chance today?

Posted 05/03/2008 3:34 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:34:31 -0400

For the second time in as many days, my plan to get a cheeseburger has been thwarted. Yesterday, it was the rain. Today it is the long line, caused by the sun.

I am really hungry. And both my gambling and my blogging suffer when I am forced to go cheeseburgerless.

I saw Frank Stronach in the paddock. We exchanged hellos. Then I left before he sent security after me.

Posted 05/03/2008 3:14 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:14:22 -0400

Cheeseburger time!

Back in a few.

Posted 05/03/2008 3:10 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:10:57 -0400

Once again, speed is holding up on the turf.

I'm a tad surprised that Dreaming of Anna didn't make the lead.

The bankroll is at $94, down $6 on the day.

Posted 05/03/2008 3:05 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:05:49 -0400

I can't be sure, but I think ESPN's Hank Goldberg is wearing a pink shirt.

Posted 05/03/2008 2:52 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:52:39 -0400

HUGH HEFNER IS IN THE BUILDING!!!!!

And he brought girls.

Posted 05/03/2008 2:50 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:50:12 -0400

I think I just saw Bill Paxton. Or was it Bill Pullman. I always get those guys confused.

Wait. Nevermind. It was just a beer vendor. My bad.

Posted 05/03/2008 2:48 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:48:30 -0400

Warren Moon just picked Pyro.

Adjust accordingly.

The Red Carpet is hopping. I think I'm gonna try to sneak onto the carpet. Maybe someone from E! will try to interview me. I'm one of the most famous bloggers in the Churchill Downs Blog Command Center this week (only because Mac McBride has been busy.

Posted 05/03/2008 2:43 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:43:58 -0400

Celebrity sighting:

Bo Derek is picking Tale of Ekati to win the Derby.

Posted 05/03/2008 2:39 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:39:14 -0400

Here's a Pick 4 that you can play if you are at home.....

2,8,9
1,5,7
1,4,8
8,14,19,20

$108.....but this is not part of the bankroll.

The bankroll play is a $1 exacta box with Sharp Susan, Ventura, and Dreaming of Anna.

$6 play.

Posted 05/03/2008 2:23 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:23:33 -0400

The bankroll is back to even. Nice win by Game Face.

Stand by for a Pick 4 ticket, courtesy of the Churchill Downs Blog Command Center.

Posted 05/03/2008 1:57 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:57:11 -0400

OK, I'm back.

My math might be a little off, but based on my calculations, there are between 90 and 100 million people at Churchill Downs today.

Wait. That can't be right.

Anyway, with the bankroll in positive territory for the first time today, let's take our $8 profit and let that sweet action ride.

$4 to win and place on #1 Secret Gypsy.

Send it in.

Posted 05/03/2008 1:50 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:50:19 -0400

I haven't heard an attendance figure yet from the Churchill Downs Attendance Counting Department, so I'm gonna go outside and do the counting myself.

Be right back.

Posted 05/03/2008 1:46 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:46:47 -0400

I really, really wish I was allowed to have a mint julep.

Posted 05/03/2008 1:31 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:31:25 -0400

Yes!!!

Thank you Elite Squadron. We cleared $22 on that one. And the bankroll is up to $108.

The buzz is starting outside the Churchill Downs Blog Command Center. Maybe it's the mint juleps being consumed at a rate of 200 a minute here at the track. Or maybe the Big Brown anticipation is reaching a fever pitch.

Posted 05/03/2008 1:09 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:09:21 -0400

If you are playing the horses at home, hopefully you are having a better day than I am. The bankroll stands at $86, down from an original $100.

I think Elite Squadron will be on the lead here in the 5th. At 9-2, I'll take a stab.

$5 to win on Elite Squadron.

Go Johnny V!

Posted 05/03/2008 12:54 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:54:09 -0400

We have about five hours until the running of the 134th Kentucky Derby, and I have made just about all of my bets. Although Big Brown does not appear on any of my tickets, I would not mind seeing him win. He just might be the superstar the sport has been waiting for. I know one thing: I am going to make sure I have a good seat.

Posted 05/03/2008 12:38 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:38:19 -0400

I am not going to comment about the fact that the sun is shining brightly. I won't even mention it.

You remember You, don't you? She won here once upon a time. And her baby You and I Forever tries to get his first win here in the 4th.

The bankroll at $91, let's put $5 on You and I Forever, currently at 5-1.

Posted 05/03/2008 12:11 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:11:38 -0400

Sorry about Spin Master, folks.

The bankroll stands at $91.

Lots of racing to go.

Off to the grandstand.

Posted 05/03/2008 12:04 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:04:35 -0400

TRIVIA TIME:

Which of the following costs $1,000?

A) A one-day guest pass to my gym
B) My Italian marble toothbrush holder
C) A for-charity mint julep here at Churchill Downs in the Woodford Reserve booth

Answer: C

Posted 05/03/2008 12:00 pm by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:00:52 -0400

If you haven't left home for Churchill Downs yet, you can get a cheeseburger and fries for ONLY $11. And the line is short.

Coming up next: A report on my first trip to the grandstand.

Posted 05/03/2008 11:52 am by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 11:52:54 -0400

With the bankroll standing at $96, let's take a stab on #2 Spin Master in the 3rd race.

$5 to win on Spin Master.

And the sun is shining again!!!

Posted 05/03/2008 11:50 am by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 11:50:20 -0400

Folks, it looks like we are having some technical problems here in the Churchill Downs Blog Command Center. Please stand by.

Posted 05/03/2008 11:06 am by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 11:06:58 -0400

Stone Bird was off the board. The bankroll stands at $96.

Nice win for Nick Zito and Biker Boy in the opener. Zito sends out two in the main event, Cool Coal Man and Anak Nakal.

Posted 05/03/2008 10:53 am by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 10:53:31 -0400

BLOG SCOREBOARD

References to the weather: 3

Cheeseburgers eaten: 0, for now

Autographs given: Also 0

Posted 05/03/2008 10:50 am by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 10:50:25 -0400

I don't know if the sun is reading this blog, but if you are, please feel free to shine on us again like you did a few minutes ago. It was great seeing you.

Cut us some slack, jack.

Posted 05/03/2008 10:43 am by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 10:43:33 -0400

D. Wayne Lukas probably hoped Stone Bird would be his Derby horse this year. It's didn't pan out. But Lukas won here yesterday with a horse who was dropping from stakes company. And that's exactly what Stone Bird is doing here in the 1st race. The tote board reads 8-1. Interesting.

I'm gonna start the day with a bankroll of $100. Let's see if I can squeak out a profit.

Posted 05/03/2008 10:35 am by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 10:35:33 -0400

In what might end up being the hunch play of the day, Bullet Rain is favored in the first race with more than 20 minutes to post. While it's dry for the moment, "bullet rain" would perfectly describe what we had yesterday.

And I just saw the sun peak through the clouds! Sweet, lovely sun.

Posted 05/03/2008 10:32 am by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 10:32:00 -0400

We're live.

Rain, rain, stay away. I'm seriously afraid to look at the sky, for fear that it will open up.

The crowd in is good spirits. I have no clue how the cleaning crew got this place spotless after the mess that was left by 100,000 Oaks Day fans. But you could eat a cheeseburger off the floor here today.

Posted 05/03/2008 8:23 am by justin

justin — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:23:54 -0400

Hello? Hello!?!?!?!?!?! Is this thing on? Test. Test. Can you hear me in the back of the room?

Good morning Derby fans. Happy Derby!

We'll be live at about 10:30am. Stay tuned!