Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles:
- CITIZEN BULL (20-1)
Record: 6-4-0-1
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 98
Earnings: $1,451,000
Mr. Ed: Inner-most post might bury Baffert’s best. If he gets to the front early, he might be there late. On my Exacta ticket, despite the rail post.
2. NEOEQUOS (30-1)
Record: 7-2-2-2
Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 91
Earnings: $291,050
Mr. Ed: Another speedball who may be compromised by the inside post. Dull record doesn’t excite. Bet at your own risk.
3. FINAL GAMBIT (30-1)
Record: 4-2-1-1
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luan Machado
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 90
Earnings: $520,639
Mr. Ed: Big fan of Brad Cox. I’m crushed by Tappan Street’s unfortunate injury. A recent win at Turfway doesn’t impress.. Pass.
4. RODRIGUEZ (12-1) – SCRATCHED
5. AMERICAN PROMISE (30-1)
Record: 9-2-1-1
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Nik Juarez
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 95
Earnings: $444,874
Mr. Ed: Not on my dance card. The “Coach” has been here and done this, but this colt is no Charismatic. Not today.
6. ADMIRE DAYTONA (30-1)
Record: 6-2-2-0
Trainer: Yukihiro Kato
Jockey: Chistophe Lemarie
Best Beyer Speed Figure: –
Earnings: $672,047
Mr. Ed: Too busy handicapping those who have a chance. I like Daytona Speedway, but not this guy.
7. LUXOR CAFE (15-1)
Record: 6-4-1-0
Trainer: Noriyuki Hori
Jockey: Joao Moreira
Best Beyer Speed Figure: –
Earnings: $379,057
Mr. Ed: A Japanese racer will eventually win the Derby, just not this year. Riding an impressive four-win streak, but not against the class he faces here.
8: JOURNALISM (3-1)
Record: 5-4-0-1
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 108
Earnings: $638,880
Mr. Ed: If speed figures won Derbys, there would be many more West Coast winners. Inside post compromises chances. Undefeated since debut loss. Perfect work early Sunday attests to readiness.
9. BURNHAM SQUARE (12-1)
Record: 6-3-1-1
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 96
Earnings: $977,755
Mr. Ed: He’s way over-priced at 12-1. The mid-gate draw should benefit late-running style. I was on him for his Holy Bull win, off him for Blue Grass. I’m back on him today. One of my top plays.
10. GRANDE (20-1) – SCRATCHED
11. FLYING MONARCH (30-1)
Record: 6-2-2-0
Trainer: Whitworth Beckman
Jockey: Joseph Ramos
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 84
Earnings: $295,800
Mr. Ed: This is my favorite longshot. Everything is improving; trainer impresses me. Speed figure points to a possible in-the-money finish.
12. EAST AVENUE (20-1)
Record: 5-2-1-0
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Manny Franco
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 96
Earnings: $654,395
Mr. Ed: Walsh had an excellent Keeneland meet; Franco is a top NY jockey. Recent work after an impressive Blue Grass effort says he’s ready. When all is said and run, look for him in the Winner’s Circle.
13. PUBLISHER (20-1)
Record: 7-M-2-3
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 95
Earnings: $407,756
Mr. Ed: Never count all-time wins leader Asmussen out. Colt, son of Derby winner American Pharoah, is improving with every race as a 3YO. I like the maiden’s in-the-money chances.
14. TIZTASTIC (20-1)
Record: 8-3-1-2
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 95
Earnings: $1,549,800
Mr. Ed: Asmussen’s other entry sports win and sharp Beyer in the Louisiana Derby. Regression is expected here. No chance.
15. RENDER JUDGMENT (30-1)
Record: 7-1-2-1
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 90
Earnings: $250,672
Mr. Ed: Not sure what this slowpoke is doing here. Not this year, Kenny.
16. COAL BATTLE (30-1)
Record: 8-5-0-1
Trainer: Lonnie Briley
Jockey: Juan Vargas
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 91
Earnings: $1,188,875
Mr. Ed: Don’t know much about the horse or connections. He’s bagged a bunch of money while winning five of eight against nobodies. Pass.
17. SANDMAN (6-1)
Record: 8-3-1-2
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 99
Earnings: $1,254,595
Mr. Ed: Expect Casse’s charge will be over-bet. Despite an excellent record, he puts me to sleep. Can’t recommend a win wager.
18. SOVEREIGNTY (5-1)
Record: 5-2-2-0
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 95
Earnings: $572,800
Mr. Ed: Improving efforts put him on my short list, replacing Tappan Street. Mott-Alvarado team is a proven winner. Outside post suits the closing style.
19. CHUNK OF GOLD (30-1)
Record: 4-1-3-0
Trainer: Ethan West
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 92
Earnings: $348,818
Mr. Ed: Another lesser-known, lightly raced contestant. Pass.
20. OWEN ALMIGHTY (30-1)
Record: 7-3-2-0
Trainer: Brian Lynch
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 93
Earnings: $499,935
Mr. Ed: Oh by gosh, by golly, it’s Owen Almighty. Great name, no chance.
21. BAEZA (12-1)
Record: 4-1-2-0
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 101
Earnings: $148,500
Mr. Ed: Best rider in America and high last-race Beyer aren’t enough to convince me. Pass in or out of the field.
