It's the big day in US horse racing, the one day of the year when racing is truly in the public eye. Conscious of the stain on the sport when a winner returns a positive test, the powers that be at Churchill Downs have banned trainer Bob Baffert from competing this year, and understandably, that hasn't gone down well. Too bad, how sad... The field this year looks particularly even with only a couple I'd class as having absolutely no hope. As the 12th Man would say, this is harder to pick than a broken nose! ------------------ THE KENTUCKY DERBY presented by Woodford Reserve 1 1/4 miles (~2000m), 3yos, Grade 1 US$3,000,000 Churchill Downs, Saturday May 7 1857 local, 2357 BST, 0857 AEST. 1. Mo Donegal - Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr. - narrowly beat today's favourite Zandon in the Remsen Stakes last December, ran third behind White Abarrio and Simplification in the Holy Bull in early Feb. After nine weeks off, he then beat a field with no other Derby runners in the Woo
The Grand National - every year you say don't get too excited, it's just another race to bet on, but every year we all get excited about it. Bring out the dartboard for your selections, or take some note of my comments below. Entirely up to you... :) Just be thankful we've got a full crowd this year, and may every horse return to their stable afterwards safe and sound. ======================= The Randox Grand National Handicap Chase £1million, Grade 3, 4m2f74yds Aintree, Saturday, 1715 local, 1815 CET, 0215 Sunday AEST Expected going Good-to-Soft. 1. Minella Times - defending champ ridden by the superstar Rachael Blackmore. Now burdened with topweight, carrying 21lbs more than last year. No doubt campaigned quietly as not to be given any additional pounds but two runs this season of fell and pulled up (over much shorter distances) don't inspire. But anything in the last 363 days is irrelevant when it comes to McManus, de Bromhead & Blackmore. Very few horses win th