Derby 5 – April 22
1. Big Brown: What can I say? The giddy confidence expressed by trainer Rick Dutrow in the NTRA teleconference this afternoon was infectious. Big Brown has the speed; he just has to beat history.
2. Colonel John: Santa Anita Derby winner ships to Churchill without incident. Trainer Eoin Harty warns, “If you ignore the synthetic races, you ignore them at your peril.”
3. Gayego: Arkansas Derby winner is exhibit #1 backing up Harty’s contention.
4. Z Fortune: Trainer Steve Asmussen’s sleeper starter.
5. Eight Belles: Probably belongs in the Oaks, but I’d love to see her try the Derby.