If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or follow us on Facebook. Thanks for visiting!

We’re almost upon the First Saturday in May, which, of course, means the 136th Kentucky Derby is almost upon us. Throughout it’s long history, there have only been three fillies to win horse racing’s individual crown jewel. Will the 2010 running yield a fourth? If so, the odds are good that filly could wind up being Devil May Care. According to some, Devil May Care, much like Rachel Alexander was in 2009, could be the best three-year old racing horse for the 2010 racing season.

In order to quantify the hype — at least to casual horse racing fan (guilty) — Devil May Care will need to win the Derby, something a filly hasn’t accomplished since 1988. The question is, how good are her chances to become the fourth winning filly ever? According to her trainers, the odds are good:

More on Devil May Care’s chances after the jump >>

Now, before I get blasted, I’m not a NASCAR fan. I’m aware of the competition and of course, some of the personalities. In fact, it’s safe to say my NASCAR knowledge doesn’t extend much past the “I know Jimmy Johnson is pretty damn awesome at what he does. His wife’s hot, too.” Outside of that, besides names like Stewart, Earnhart, and Gordon, I’m a NASCAR know-nothing.

I do, however, know bad form when I see it, and thanks to some petty back-and-forth-ing from Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski, we have some bad form from two stock car drivers who can’t or won’t let their differences go. From what I’ve read, there’s a history between these two and that’s all fine and good. What’s not fine and good however, is using such a powerful vehicle to get some sort of payback against the offending driver.

Perhaps I’m wrong.

Perhaps it is good form using a vehicle weighing over 3000 pounds and is capable of speeds in excess of 200 MPH, to do make a point or get some payback when you’re feeling wronged. What the hell happened to smacking each other around in pit row? Seems a lot safer and the repercussions are nowhere near as expensive. Of course, what does a city-slicker like me know? Apparently, when it comes to some NASCAR-flavored payback, not much. That being said, using your car as a weapon — or a tool to carry out your mission of revenge — is incredibly suspect.

Try doing that on the way to work tomorrow when somebody cuts you off. I doubt a dented car would be the least of your worries.

Well, THAT was unexpected. Mine That Bird, a 50-1 long, long shot, won the Kentucky Derby Saturday in dramatic and incredible style. Coming from the dead last position, Bird delivered an incredible run down the stretch, one that saw him overtake the ENTIRE FIELD from the inside position, as jockey Calvin Borel masterfully maneuvered his horse to the front of the pack and into horse racing history. A quote from longtime Louisville-now-ESPN scribe Pat Forde, who has seen his fair share of Derby stories, details just how surprised the horse racing universe is by Mine That Bird’s amazing win, and just how much his win resonates:

More Derby reaction after the jump >>

It’s the First Saturday In May in Kentucky. What could be afoot? Horses? Roses? Bourbon? Hats? Legal Gambling? General disarray? Professor Chaos? Derby Pie? Yeah, something like that. My question is, can we get a repeat performance? Something like what Big Brown provided last year? You know, where the favorite dominates the field, except for a courageous filly? Can I Want Revenge live up last year’s favorite’s performance or will a great story like General Quarters warm America’s heart? I Want Revenge has been impressive in the qualifying racing, so it wouldn’t be surprising, but this is horse racing and these are million dollar animals — anything can happen.

It’s the Kentucky Derby, folks, otherwise known as the only time the rest of the world cares about the Bluegrass State and the sport of horses. Regardless of the cynicism, the Derby is still a massive deal — or party, depending on your point of view.

Speaking of which, rumor has it that Billy Gillispie is going at the Derby Infield. That should make for some entertaining pictures.

Apparently, this weekend existed just so we could post some non-regular content around here. This time, we’re talking NASCAR and Carl Edwards. By now, you’ve probably seen footage of the final lap crash that could have been so much worse, but thanks to the retaining fences, spectators in grandstand only suffered minor injuries. While the fence did in fact hold, Edwards’ car was dangerously close to clearing the barricade, something the driver is well aware of:

“I’m glad the car didn’t go up in the grandstands and hurt somebody,” Edwards said. “I saw some fencing at one point and that made me a little bit nervous. I don’t know if I could live with myself if I ended up in the grandstands.”

Thankfully, Edwards doesn’t have to face such a horrible reality. That doesn’t mean, however, the awesomely-terrifying wreck hasn’t spawned talk of rule changes to prevent this kind of racing chaos — something that wasn’t restricted to the Edwards wreck:

On Lap 7, contact between Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon turned into a wreck involving 14 cars, knocking four out of the race and badly damaging five. Gordon finished 37th and lost the points lead to Kurt Busch.

A 10-car wreck later collected, among others, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, pole-sitter Juan Pablo Montoya and Jimmie Johnson. During that caution, Earnhardt, running second, and Newman, running first, concocted a scheme to leave the field behind.

Are changes to the restrictor-plate necessary to prevent these kind of field-clearing wrecks? According to many drivers, the answer is yes.

31 years and counting. When the Kentucky Derby kicks off on May 2, 2009, there will be 31 years between Triple Crown winners in the world of horse racing. There was an opportunity to have such a winner last Saturday at the Belmont Stakes, but alas, Big Brown just didn’t have it in him. Instead of finishing first and rejuvenating the horse industry — not to mention keeping the memory of Eight Belles alive — Big Brown finished dead last while the long shot Da’ Tara (33-1) won the race, leading it wire-to-wire.

Granted, jockey Kent Desormeaux pulled Big Brown up towards the end, but nevertheless, for some reason, the horse didn’t have it in him on Saturday. Was it the heat? Was it the fact that Brown got kicked after the start? Was it the lack of the steroid Winstrol in his system? Or could it be the chickens came home to roost after Rick Dutrow’s bombastic bragging about Big Brown? ESPN’s Pat Forde expands on that thought:

No, talking trash didn’t get Big Brown beat. But it came back to smack Dutrow in his fresh mouth when the foregone conclusion fell apart.

Forde goes on to say:

Problem is, Dutrow never entertained the possibility of a problem during this Triple Crown run. Even after watching all the Triple Crown near-misses of recent years — Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in ’98, Charismatic in ’99, War Emblem in 2002, Funny Cide in ’03 and Smarty Jones in ’04 — he failed to absorb the singular truth of this three-race series:

It’s incredibly hard to win. That’s why it’s been done just 11 times in the history of the sport. That’s why great horses like Spectacular Bid and Point Given didn’t get it done.

As it stands, there appears to be nothing wrong with Big Brown which led some folks with ties to horse-racing industry to believe simply this — Big Brown didn’t want to run on Saturday and there’s nothing anyone could’ve done about it.

Whatever the case, the horse that looked so dominant in May was not the same one that ran on Saturday. In case you didn’t see it, here’s YouTube to the rescue:

And with that, the horse racing season comes to a close (for those of us that only follow the Triple Crown). See you next year when the Kentucky Derby gets ready for action.

What can Brown do for me? How about winning the Triple Crown for starters. Is that too much of a request, considering just how common of an occurrence it really is? In other words, yep, there’s one more horse race for you to pay attention and then the industry goes back on the shelf until May 2, 2009 — at least in the eyes of the sporting world; unless, of course, you like to play the ponies.

If that’s the case, carry on, sir/ma’am.

For the rest of us, horse racing only means something A. when it’s the Kentucky Derby and B. if there’s a Triple Crown storyline to follow. This year, like the last few years before us, we do, in fact, have another horse with Triple Crown aspirations. So, is this the year the string gets broken or will Brown fail during the 1.5-mile Belmont; a distance that can tire the strongest horses?

If Vegas is your guide, then yes, it does look like we’ll have our first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. It also doesn’t hurt your chances when the horse with the perceived best chance to beat you — Casino Drive — bruises his heel. Because I’m no horse-racing expert, I can only give you my hunch. Considering the time between capturing all three titles, I wouldn’t be surprised if Big Brown actually did lose the Belmont. However, I’m also inclined to agree with trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr:

If Big Brown gets the lead, especially down the stretch, it’s hard to see any of the other horses catching him. The one question I do have has to do with Big Brown’s inside position. He’s drawn the number 1 slot, meaning he’ll be up against the fence. Can the other jockeys box the favorite in and block his path to history? Will they if they can? We’ll find out Saturday.

Anyway, here are the post positions along with the odds related to the horse, compiled by Vegas Watch:

(1) Big Brown, 2/5
(2) Guadalcanal, 40/1
(3) Macho Again, 30/1
(4) Dennis of Cork, 10/1
(5) Casino Drive, 10/3
(6) Da’ Tara, 33/1
(7) Tale Of Ekati, 16/1
(8) Anak Nakal, 33/1
(9) Ready’s Echo, 40/1
(10) Icabad Crane, 35/1

One more thing, does Big Brown’s previous steroid use concern you?

With the Belmont Stakes coming this Saturday — and a potential Triple Crown winner — the sports world again turns its gaze towards the horse racing industry and this year, all eyes are watching Big Brown. Can the horse with the UPS tie-in complete the Triple Crown, something that hasn’t been done in, well, a freaking long time? Will his cracked left hoof hold up to a 1.5 mile gallop while carrying jockey Kent Desormeaux?

If the reports are from today’s test run are to be believed, it certainly looks like Big Brown will be up to the challenge on Saturday but will he be able to hold off the seemingly made-for-the-Belmont thoroughbred in Casino Drive? Trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. doesn’t seemed concerned:

“There’s not any issues with our horse,” Dutrow said. “He’s right on target. He’s by far the best horse in the race.”

These comments come on the heels of a little horse-racing trash talk from from the Big Brown camp towards Casino Drive and the rest of the field.

Obviously, Dutrow isn’t worried about the safety or ability of his horse (and by safety, I’m referring to whether or not the cracked hoof would give Big Brown problems).

In other Big Brown news, after he retires, the horse has certainly has his future planned out — one of impregnating willing mares. According to reports, Big Brown will receive $100,000 each time he gets a female horse pregnant… and I thought Las Vegas hookers were expensive. Of course, you don’t get to impregnate one either (eww), but I digress.

Finally, it has been revealed the final resting place of Eight Belles will indeed be at Churchill Downs.