Kentucky Derby is Here

I can't believe that it's Derby time again. It seems like yesterday that Giacomo won the Run for the Roses. Well, spring is here, so here come the three year olds .

Who will win this years Kentucky Derby is anyone's guess, but we have assembled a great team of writers to make the choice easier. John Pricci  is our executive editor and he has some great insights into the Derby . We have a team from around the country  handicapping this years Triple Crown races. We have expanded the size of this years Betting Guide to include some new features. As you know poker is hot, hot, hot and we are proud to have Party Poker on board. Speaking of on board, Norwegian Cruise Lines has a program through their "Casinos at Sea" program where you can get free or discounted cruise rates for playing in their floating casinos. If you haven't been on an NCL cruise you are really missing out on something special.

Latest News

Kentucky Derby 132 Post Position Draw Quotes

STEVE ASMUSSEN (Private Vow, Selection 8, Post 12; Storm Treasure, Selection 17, Post 19)

(on Private Vow) "The 11 was open, but we wanted him a little farther outside. We skipped the 11 to let the loading process begin."

(on Storm Treasure) "(No.) 3 was available, but I wanted Keyed Entry next to Sinister Minister."

"It's going to have to be the best race they've ever run, either one of them."

(comparing Private Vow to Giacomo) "I'm hoping it's exactly like Giacomo last year. He showed a lot of talent last year. He's a fast enough horse; my concern is if he can be fast enough over a mile and a quarter."

"I'm very pleased with both of them. It won't eliminate us."

TOM ALBERTRANI (Deputy Glitters, Selection 7, Post 14)

"That was just where we wanted to be. We wanted to avoid the speed coming down on us. He (Deputy Glitters) needs a lot of space."

"We were pretty pleased. We were actually looking to get 14 or 15. Sometimes he tends to get a little intimidated, so the farther outside, we thought it would be good to give this horse a little more space."

BOB BAFFERT (Bob and John, Selection 2, Post 7; Point Determined, Selection 6, Post 5; Sinister Minister, Selection 11, Post 4)

"They have three different styles. Sinister Minister is a speed horse. After we took the 4, I thought maybe we should have taken the 11. He will probably be your pace-setter."

"We're in it now. There's nothing we can do about it."

"I think post position is who's next to you. I'm happy with Bob and John, I could have gone 7, 8 (or) 9. I like 7, I've had luck with 7. If they don't break, it doesn't matter what hole they're in. If the horse is ready to run, if they have class, they'll get there."

(on who drew the best) "I don't think there are many bad draws. There are two key matchups - Keyed Entry and Sinister Minister, Lawyer Ron and Brother Derek. You've got two sets there next to each other that have the same style."

MARK CASSE (Trainer - Seaside Retreat, Selection 12, Post 15)

(on post No. 15) "That was perfect. Two weeks ago, my son kept saying, 'We've got to be No. 15, we've got to be No. 15.' If we're the first to select we would have picked 15."

DAN HENDRICKS (Brother Derek, Selection 16, Post 18)

"We talked about taking the 14 or 15 post this morning. So we are just a little bit farther out. When I heard this morning when were picking 16th, it got to me a little bit and I was upset but by the time I got back to the barn and thought about it a little bit, I was fine with it. I was afraid that we might wind up in 1, 2, 3 or 20. It didn't work out that way at all. I have to be realistic about this and I can't be complaining. It's the Kentucky Derby. The greatest race in the world and I am here with one of the favorites. How can I be upset?"

"If they go fast, we'll fall in behind. If not, we'll be right near the front. It's going to be Alex's (Solis) choice. He's a professional and he will know what to do and if it rains, that outside post should help us even more."

(On if he was suprised being made the favorite or if he thought his odds should be even shorter)

"I am surprised that we weren't made co-favorites with Barbaro. He's an undefeated horse and he's very impressive. I thought my horse and Barbaro should share top billing."

JERRY HOLLENDORFER (Cause to Believe, Pick 14, Post 16)

"We wanted to be outside rather than inside. I would have liked to get the 11 more than the 16 but the horse in 15 doesn't have much speed so we figure we're as good as 15. Not a bad draw for us."

BOB HOLTHUS (Lawyer Ron, Selection 15, Post 17)

"He likes to be outside. The 15 would have been ideal but it was taken. I'm happy. I did not want to be trapped down inside. There is a lot speed to the inside of us and if we can follow somebody we will be in good shape."

GRETCHEN JACKSON (Co-Owner - Showing Up, Selection 5, Post 6)

(on selecting post No. 6) "That was Barclay's (Tagg) call. As I understand it, that was the same gate that Funny Cide (2003 Derby winner out of post six) had."

MICHAEL MATZ (Trainer - Barbaro, Selection 4, Post 8)

(on why he selected post No. 8) "Edgar (Prado) didn't want to be far outside. No. 8 is the best place for him to get where he wants to be. Edgar just called me and he is happy."

KIARAN McLAUGHLIN (Flashy Bull, Pick 18, Post 20; Jazil, Pick 20, Post 1) -

"With Flashy Bull, we wanted to be outside, in the clear. He didn't like it in the two hole the last time in the Florida Derby. I'm very happy in the one hole with Jazil because he's going to come from way back. We want to save ground and it's the shortest way to the rail."

DAN PEITZ (Steppenwolfer, Pick 10, Post 2)

"I was going to go for the one, but Robby (jockey Albarado) said he'd rather be in the two. It didn't matter, I just wanted to be inside."

"I do like it that the two horses outside of us are speed horses. And the one inside is not. It should be perfect."

TODD PLETCHER (Bluegrass Cat, Selection 9, Post 13; Keyed Entry, Selection 19, Post 3)

"It will be interesting. With Keyed Entry, we were 19th, so I thought going in it was going to be a choice between 1 and 20. When Flashy Bull chose the 20, it was a no-brainer to choose the 3 instead of the 1. The horse has got some speed."

"With Bluegrass Cat, we had a choice between 11 and 13."

(on atmosphere) "I thought it was good. I liked it better than the (Kentucky Derby) Museum. I think it kind of opened it up a little more."

(on Sunriver) "I'm frustrated we didn't get in. I don't look back on the decision not to run in the Lexington, because that was not going to put us with the horse in the right frame of mind to run back in two weeks. I thought that was our only move. Sometimes those things work out for the best. I'd say the most likely scenario is we'll go to the Peter Pan on May 20. We'll see what happens Saturday and go from there."

DALE ROMANS (Sharp Humor, Selection 3, Post 9)

"We've had four really good weeks. The pressure hasn't settled in yet."

"I wanted No. 10, but I figured that would be taken. Our second choice was No. 8 or 9. We didn't want to be in the gate for a long time."

"It went perfect for me. I like there is a lot of speed inside of us."

(anything surprising) "I was surprised Sinister Minster did not take the 11 (post) when he had the chance."

JOHN SHIRREFFS (A.P. Warrior, Selection 1, Post 10)

"We got number 10 with Giacomo last year and it worked out very well. So that had something to do with our pick today. In fact, it's hard to predict how a race like this will unfold so the idea is post positions can get a little overrated. It looks like there is a lot of speed in the race but with 20 3-year-olds going 1 1/4 miles, we've all seen cases where the jocks take a hold and if that happens, who knows what is going to happen going into that first turn. So you just do it as it comes up."

MICHAEL TROMBETTA (Sweetnorthernsaint, Selection 13, Post 11)

"I am very pleased. I am surprised that some of the inside numbers went as early as they did. Steppenwolfer taking the 2 (post) is no big deal with his style."

(on Sinister Minster and Keyed Entry being next to each toerh) "I don't think it matter because Sinister Minister has his own agenda."

"I was 13 deep in the selection process, so to wind up with 11, I feel lucky. I thought I would wind up out in 15 or 16 land."

Breeder's Cup News

Breeders' Cup purses increased to $20 Million News Release 5/2/2006

D.G. Van Clief (center) announces the purse increases. Officials of Breeders' Cup Limited and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) have announced that total purses for the Breeders' Cup World Championships have been raised to $20 million, an increase of $6 million from last year. Purses will be increased in seven of the eight 2006 Breeders' Cup races, which will be held on Saturday, November 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and will be televised live by ESPN. The Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge will receive a $1 million purse increase to $5 million this year. The Classic, North America's richest race and often a determining factor in Horse of the Year honors, was contested for $3 million from 1984-1995 and for $4 million from 1996-2005. The eight Breeders' Cup races are: $20 Million Breeders' Cup World Championships Race 2005 Purse 2006 Purse Distance Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies $1 million $2 million 1 1/16 miles Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile $1.5 million $2 million 1 1/16 miles Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf $1 million $2 million 1 3/8 miles (turf) TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint $1 million $2 million 6 furlongs NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile $1.5 million $2 million 1 mile (turf) Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff $2 million $2 million 1 1/8 miles John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf $2 million $3 million 1 1/2 miles Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge $4 million $5 million 1 1/4 miles Breeders' Cup purses have now doubled since the inaugural $10 million day in 1984. The last purse increases took place prior to the 2003 event, when purses for the Breeders' Cup Mile and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile were each raised from $1 million to $1.5 million. “Raising the purses to unprecedented levels makes the Breeders' Cup property more valuable than at any time in our history, said D. G. Van Clief, Jr., Breeders' Cup President and NTRA Commissioner. “We feel that these purse increases will further strengthen domestic and international participation in our races, which is vital for the continued growth and expansion of the event as the pre-eminent day of global horse racing. We extend our gratitude to foal and stallion nominators who have supported us over the years and made this $20 million Breeders' Cup a reality.” In addition to the purse increases, there will be reductions in Breeders' Cup World Championships race entry fees beginning this year: Entry fees for all Breeders' Cup-nominated horses have been reduced from 3% to 2.5% of the total purse of a Breeders' Cup race. Supplemental fees for horses whose sires were not nominated to the Breeders' Cup have been reduced from 20% to 15% of the purse for a Breeders' Cup race. Owners of non-nominated horses by Breeders' Cup-nominated stallions will continue to pay 9% of the total purse for entry into a Breeders' Cup race. For the first time Foal and Stallion nominator awards will be distributed for horses finishing in fourth and fifth place in a Breeders' Cup race. The raising of Breeders' Cup World Championships purses follows the April 21 Breeders' Cup Limited announcement that, for the first time, allows horses of racing age to be nominated to the Breeders' Cup Program. Instead of paying supplemental fees, owners of a non-nominated horse, sired by a Breeders' Cup, European Breeders' Fund (EBF) or Common Fund stallion nominated in the year of conception, may now pay a one-time, $150,000 late nomination fee to place that horse into the Breeders' Cup program for its entire racing career. Owners of a Thoroughbred sired by a non-nominated Breeders' Cup, EBF or Common Fund stallion in the year of conception may also secure nomination into the Breeders' Cup Program with a one-time, $250,000 late nomination payment to Breeders' Cup Ltd. Owners of those late nominees would then pay standard entry fees to run in the Championships.

Gambling Information

Good Luck on the Derby and all of the Triple Crown races.

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