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Expert Picks

John Asher

After covering his first Kentucky Derby as a radio journalist in 1982, John Asher has not missed the “Run for the Roses” since that debut.  He joined Churchill Downs in 1997 as a publicist and racing analyst, and moved to his current role as vice president of Racing Communications two years later.  Before his arrival at Churchill Downs, Asher earned five media Eclipse Awards for Outstanding National Radio Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing at Louisville radio stations WHAS and WAVG.  He served as Churchill Downs’ on-air TV host and analyst when the track was honored with the inaugural “National Simulcast Award” in 1997.

Derby

  1. Revolutionary
  2. Orb
  3. Normandy Invasion
  4. Verrazano
  5. Goldencents
  6. Itsmyluckyday
  7. Palace Malice
  8. Frac Daddy
  9. Golden Soul
  10. Will Take Charge

Oaks

  1. Midnight Lucky
  2. Close Hatches
  3. Dreaming of Julia
  4. Beholder
  5. Unlimited Budget
  6. Rose to Gold
  7. Flashy Gray
  8. Silsita
  9. Princess of Sylmar
  10. Pure Fun

Jill Byrne

Jill is the Director of On Air Communications and official handicapper at Churchill Downs. She is a regular contributor to HRTV's racing programs, Pursuit of the Crown and Pursuit of the Cup and along with her on-air skills and top-notch racing analysis, Byrne is an accomplished horsewoman who worked in the development of 1997 Horse of the Year and juvenile champion Favorite Trick and Countess Diana, that year’s champion 2-year-old filly. She was also involved in the campaign of Awesome Again who defeated 1997 Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Silver Charm to win the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Churchill Downs in 1998.

Derby

  1. Revolutionary
  2. Orb
  3. Normandy Invasion
  4. Goldencents
  5. Palace Malice
  6. Itsmyluckyday
  7. Verrazano
  8. Overanalyze
  9. Oxbow
  10. Vyjack

Oaks

  1. Unlimited Budget
  2. Close Hatches
  3. Midnight Lucky
  4. Dreaming Of Julia
  5. Beholder
  6. Rose to Gold
  7. Silsita
  8. Pure Fun
  9. Seaneen Girl
  10. Princess of Sylmar

Ed DeRosa

Ed DeRosa is director of marketing for Brisnet.com, the official data source of the Kentucky Derby and TwinSpires.com. Ed joined Brisnet.com in July 2011 following nine years as a writer and editor with Thoroughbred Times. He grew up in Cleveland and learned to love horse racing while going to Thistledown with his grandfather. Ed is a diehard Indians fan, leaving him to wonder which--if either--will come first: A Triple Crown winner or an Indians world championship. Ed's favorite horses are Real Quiet, Ghostzapper, and Rachel Alexandra.

Derby

  1. Itsmyluckyday
  2. Revolutionary
  3. Goldencents
  4. Orb
  5. Verrazano
  6. Overanalyze
  7. Mylute
  8. Normandy Invasion
  9. Falling Sky
  10. Lines of Battle

Oaks

  1. Dreaming of Julia
  2. Rose To Gold
  3. Princess of Sylmar
  4. Unlimited Budget
  5. Pure Fun
  6. Midnight Lucky
  7. Beholder
  8. Close Hatches
  9. Silsita
  10. Seaneen Girl

James Scully

James Scully is editor of the Handicapper’s Edge and Bloodstock Journal daily newsletters at brisnet.com and was a panelist on the “Breeders’ Cup Handicapping Summit” at Churchill Downs in 2010. A lifelong University of Kentucky fan, James attended his first Kentucky Derby in 1981 (Pleasant Colony).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derby

  1. Orb
  2. Itsmyluckyday
  3. Overanalyze
  4. Revolutionary
  5. Will Take Charge
  6. Verrazano
  7. Normandy Invasion
  8. Goldencents
  9. Frac Daddy
  10. Oxbow

Oaks

  1. Close Hatches
  2. Midnight Lucky
  3. Dreaming of Julia
  4. Unlimited Budget
  5. Seaneen Girl
  6. Beholder
  7. Rose to Gold
  8. Pure Fun
  9. Princess of Sylmar
  10. Silsita

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