Kentucky Derby 2017

[ZephyrHawk]

It's a mere 11 days until this year's spectacular Run for the Roses, so it's time to break out the fancy hats and start the annual Derby thread.

Unfortunately, my SIL has decided to graduate on that day (AGAIN!), so I'll neither be watching the race nor hosting my annual Derby party. Perhaps that has contributed to my ambivalence about this year's race, but I must admit that the current field has been rather underwhelming, as well. No one really seems to stand out. I'm picking Gunnevera because I liked him a lot before his disappointing last race, and I didn't think he fared too poorly even in his loss.

So, who are you rooting for? Who's going to the track? Who will raise a mint julep for me (while I watch a neverending parade of graduates across a stage).

 

[DisneyHardin]

My DH is a Sheriff Deputy and his assignment at Derby the last couple years is to provide security for a Derby contender horse. As soon as he gets his assigned horse, then that will be the one that I root for. Last year it was Whitmore.

I won't go to the Derby, but will be there Oaks day.

 

[rastahomie]

Usually when I know nothing about the KD, I just pick a horse whose name I like, and if I have money and time to get to an OTB (I have neither this year), I'll place a wager.

This time I'm picking McCracken, for no other reason than his name reminds me of McLovin.

 

[lynxstch]

I picked McCracken weeks ago, and I'm sticking with him. My second pick is/was Gunnevera. Can't wait for race day!

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

I detest horse racing. I think there is so much cruelty in this sport that I find it hard to watch. Seeing so many horses break down breaks my heart over and over and over again.

That being said, I have started to follow it again after becoming friends with one of the jockeys and his family. I'll be watching through my fingers and hoping for a safe and injury free race day...and hoping to see Gunnevera cross the finish line first.

 

[Brazen Wench]

I will look at the horses a day or two before the race goes off and pick the one that has a cool name and the prettiest colors on the Jockeys Shirt.

 

[Brer_Papa]

I keep looking and looking...

I can't get HENCE out of my mind...

I know he's a bit of a long shot...but...so was Animal Kingdom...

Might not be the year for the favorites anyway....in such a wide open field...

Of course...the post position draws will be my deciding factor by the time I plunk my money down...

Good Luck everybody!

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Not going to make it to the track nextweek. I did go to a fantastic Thunder Over Louisville party Saturday, though!

 

[Julie's Haircut]

I picked McCracken weeks ago, and I'm sticking with him. My second pick is/was Gunnevera. Can't wait for race day!

I have a colleague with the last name of McCracken who loves horse racing and has been to the Kentucky Derby several times. I'll bet he's ecstatic about that horse's name. I'll have to ask him about it tomorrow.

 

[crazymomof4]

My Derby fave was Mastery so......
for the first time in many years, I am going into this Derby without a clear favorite.
Would love to see John Shirreffs / Mosses in the winner's circle again but not sure Gormley has what it takes.

 

[crazymomof4]

Our Derby "party" is my DH, DD16 and I. I did a big party for years and found I did more entertaining than anything else and missed so much of the TV coverage! So now we do our Bourbon marinated pork tenderloin with some Southern sides, Mint Juleps and Pecan Pie. DD and I dress and don our fancy hats. I get out the Derby decorations (lots of silk red roses) We cook while watch all the undercard races that are televised. Fun!

 

[crazymomof4]

I keep looking and looking...

I can't get HENCE out of my mind...

I know he's a bit of a long shot...but...so was Animal Kingdom...

Might not be the year for the favorites anyway....in such a wide open field...

Of course...the post position draws will be my deciding factor by the time I plunk my money down...

Good Luck everybody!

My daughter picked Animal Kingdom........ and she never lets me forget it!! She was only 10 but she's always been good at picking horses.

 

[AlohaNow]

I placed an advance wager on Irish War Cry, using my highly scientific method of picking by coolest name. I will be at a wedding during the derby, so I’ll check my phone to find out the winner!

(I have relatives that live in McCracken county!)

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

My heart vote will go to Patch. He only has one eye.

 

[crazymomof4]

I placed an advance wager on Irish War Cry, using my highly scientific method of picking by coolest name. I will be at a wedding during the derby, so I’ll check my phone to find out the winner!

(I have relatives that live in McCracken county!)

Hey, I pick novels by how pretty the cover is. It's never failed me yet! LOL

 

[ZephyrHawk]

My heart vote will go to Patch. He only has one eye.

Patch is definitely cool. However, Gunnevera's got a good story, too. His dam died the week after he was born, so he had to be raised by a nurse mare. His trainer emigrated from Venezuela after the second time he was kidnapped for ransom.

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

Patch is definitely cool. However, Gunnevera's got a good story, too. His dam died the week after he was born, so he had to be raised by a nurse mare. His trainer emigrated from Venezuela after the second time he was kidnapped for ransom.

But that's just it - what about the nurse mare's biological foal? What happened to that baby? Probably killed.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

But that's just it - what about the nurse mare's biological foal? What happened to that baby? Probably killed.

Well.....horses have more than one teat, you know. They can nurse more than one. Additionally, you can wean one baby a bit early and the mare will continue to nurse for some time.

Horse breeders are not known for just killing foals needlessly. There's always a need for good non-racing stock around barns. They become teasers, lead ponies, trainer mares, working stock....

In all honesty, it blows my mind that anyone would think they just blindly kill a nurse-mare's foal. I'm sure in the great vast majority of cases attempts are made to re-home the individual. I'm not going to say that horse racing is the most humane sport in all the world, but I wouldn't say it's practitioners were any worse than the members of any equine sport. Sure, we contribute to horse over-population, but the great vast majority of owners and trainers and sportsmen really love and care about horses. In general. Not just the ones that win roses. I mean, the reason we have the majority of protections for horses in America (and restrictions on overseas meat sales) is because of the diligent lobbying of horse racing fans.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

In other news, post positions were chosen today:

1. Lookin at Lee 20-1

2. Thunder Snow 20-1

3. Fast and Accurate50-1

4. Untrapped 30-1

5. Always Dreaming 5-1

6. State of Honor 30-1

7. Girvin 15-1

8. Hence 15-1

9. Irap 20-1

10. Gunnevera 15-1

11. Battle of Middway 30-1

12. Sonneteer 50-1

13. J Boys Echo 20-1

14. Classic Empire 4-1

15. McCracken 5-1

16. Tapwrit 20-1

17. Irish War Cry 6-1

18. Gormley 15-1

19. Practical Joke 20-1

20. Patch 30-1

 

[John VN]

DW and I were in Louisville in 2012 for our Kentucky Derby Half Marathon. Best memory of the entire trip was the DERBY-PIE at the pre-race dinner. After having numerous helpings of the pasta and salad dinner, I figured one slice of pie. First bite I almost died, had 3 more slices and brought a couple back to our room.

http://www.derbypie.com/