Louisville Courier-Journal
2016 Kentucky
Derby
The Courier-Journal collected quick Kentucky Derby 142 picks from our
staffers as well as voters in The C-J's weekly top 20 poll that have
followed the Triple
Crown trail from its
start.
With little consensus
among handicappers about this year's field, best of luck at the betting window.
Dan Wolken , USA
Winner: #16 Shagaf
On the board: #15 Outwork ,
#2 Suddenbreakingnews
Longshot I like: #18 Majesto
Comment: Nobody has impressed
me more in the morning than Shagaf, who is well-bred and talented but lightly
raced. I’ll excuse his flat Wood Memorial based on the muddy track and some
traffic trouble because the physical signs tell me he’s sitting on his best
race.
Frank Angst, The
Blood-Horse
Winner: #15 Outwork
On the
board: #5 Gun Runner, #13 Nyquist
Longshot I
like: #4 Mo Tom
Comment: Considering the track
conditions, Outwork ran a very impressive race to win
the Wood Memorial and I think his early speed will help him in this year’s Derby
Gabby
Gaudet, Gulfstream Park/Pimlico
Winner: #14 Mohaymen
On the
board: #9 Destin, #13 Nyquist, #5 Gun Runner
Longshot I
like: #4 Mo Tom
Comment: Mohaymen's Florida
Derby was too bad to be
true. Maybe it was because he chased a talented/fresh horse five-wide on a off
track? There's a reason why he was once the Derby favorite, and I look for a rebound.
Jeff
Greer, The Courier-Journal
Winner: #10 Whitmore
On the
board: #11 Exaggerator, #13 Nyquist
Longshot I
like: #12 Tom's Ready
Comment: Picking
Whitmore with the most scientifically-proven method out there: You pet it,
you bet it.
Jon Hale, The
Courier-Journal
Winner: #11
Exaggerator
On the
board: #13 Nyquist, #12 Tom's Ready
Longshot I
like: #8 Lani
Comment: I've only picked the Derby
Trixie
Hammer, LadyAndTheTrack.com
Winner: #3 Creator
On the
board: #15 Outwork, #14 Mohaymen
Longshot I
like: #17 Mor Spirit
Comment: There are bigger
longshots than Mor Spirit, but I'll take the "anteater" for my fun
win bet.
Joe
Kristufek, Churchill Downs
Winner: #9 Destin
On the
board: #13 Nyquist, #14 Mohaymen, #15 Outwork
Longshot I
like: #2 Suddenbreakingnews
Comment: With nine committed
closers in the field and only a handful of forward types, I truly expect the
early Derby
Jonathan
Lintner, The Courier-Journal
Winner: #19 Brody's Cause
On the
board: #13 Nyquist, #5 Gun Runner
Longshot I
like: #20 Danzing Candy
Comment: If the Blue Grass
winner pushes the button on the back stretch, he could get there even with an
outside post position.
Marty
McGee, Daily Racing Form
Winner: #11
Exaggerator
On the
board: #3 Creator, #19 Brody's Cause
Longshot I
like: #16 Shagaf
Comment: The Brothers
Desormeaux have come a long way since they teamed together with Yazoo
Laffit
Pincay, NBC Sports
Winner: #15 Outwork
On the
board: #13 Nyquist, #10 Whitmore
Longshot I
like: #20 Danzing Candy
Comment: Outwork will avenge his sire Uncle Mo 's Derby
Mary Rampellini,
Daily Racing Form
Winner: #13 Nyquist
On the
Board: #11 Exaggerator, #14 Mohaymen
Longshot I Like: #2 Suddenbreakingnews
Comment: R-E-S-P-E-C-T. The champion Nyquist will be getting it from this
corner as a four-time Grade 1 winner whose talent, tactical speed and
determination has carried him to wins at distances ranging from five furlongs
to a mile-and-an-eighth.
Paul
Rolfes, The Courier-Journal
Winner: #13 Nyquist
On the board: #14
Mohaymen, #19 Brody's Cause
Longshot I
like: #5 Gun Runner
Comment: There are 20 good, potentially
great, 3-year-olds in the field, with 19 out to prove Nyquist isn’t another American
Pharoah . Trainer Steve
Asmussen ’s stable might deliver a Derby
Tim
Sullivan, The Courier-Journal
Winner: #13 Nyquist
On the
board: #5 Gun Runner, #16 Shagaf
Longshot I
like: #12 Tom's Ready
Comment: Hard to pick favorite
to win a fourth straight Derby
Hank Wesch , Del
Winner: #13 Nyquist
On the board: #14
Mohaymen, #2 Suddenbreakingnews
Longshot I
like: #4 Mo Tom
Comment: Good break from good
post + high cruising speed + heart to fight last quarter = Roses.
Jon
White, Santa Anita Park
Winner: #13 Nyquist
On the board: #11
Exaggerator, #8 Lani
Longshot I
like: #16 Shagaf
Comment: I'll go with undefeated Nyquist in what shapes up as a
fascinating Derby
Tim
Wilkin, Albany
Winner: #14 Mohaymen
On the board: #17
Mor Spirit, #19 Brody’s Cause
Longshot I
like: #15 Outwork
Comment: Mohaymen reclaims top
spot after Florida Derby flop, and at a price, too.
Alicia
Wincze Hughes, Lexington
Winner: #13 Nyquist
On the board: #9
Destin, #19 Brody's Cause
Longshot I
like: #18 Majesto
Comment: Nyquist has already beaten most of the
major contenders and he is versatile enough to make his own luck regardless of
trip and/or pace scenario.
.
