Kentucky’s shining two moments

While many Kentuckians – at least those of us who are hoops fans – think our state shines brightest when one of our teams – UK or UL is claiming a national championship in basketball – in reality this weekend’s Kentucky Derby will see the most out of state viewers checking in from around the globe.

Saturday’s running of the 139th Kentucky Derby is, of course, billed as the “Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”, and since it’s only two minutes long, it is also the only sporting event that I’m sure to watch in it’s entirety on television.

So, as has long been a tradition, I’m offering up my guesses – and mind you, guesses is a very correct word in this case, of the horses I’m likely to plop down a $2 bet for prior to Saturday’s “and they’re off” announcement.

The long-shot bet goes to Mylute, a Tom Amos trained horse that finished second last month in the Louisiana Derby. Biggest plus is that Rosie Napravnik is up and she has the best chance ever to become the first female jockey to ever win the Run for the Roses.

She won the Oaks last year – also a first time for a female – on Believe You Can.

Besides – the Sunday morning headline possibilities would be endless:

Rosie wins the Roses – Roses for Rosie – Rosie day for Roses – Rosie’s Roses – you get the idea.

Hey, I said it was a long-shot guess.

Next, I’m going with Revolutionary. This may be my second pick out of three this year, but this horse has a lot going for him. Trained by Todd Pletcher, who has already picked up in 2010 with Super Saver, Revolutionary is coming off a first place finish in the Louisiana Derby, finishing a neck in front of the above mentioned Mylute.

Most importantly is the mount for Saturday’s race – two-time Kentucky Derby winner and just this week a Hall of Fame member – Calvin Borel although he wasn’t riding for the Louisiana Derby win. Of course Borel and Pletcher teamed up for the 2011 Derby win on Super Saver.

Finally – I’m going to say that my favorite pick is going to be Goldencents, which is also the horse with the best name in the field – one of the criteria I usually lean on when making my decisions each year.

With three first place finishes in his last five starts, Goldencents is coming off a win in the Santa Anita Derby. Also going for the horse is the fact that the best basketball coach in the NCAA this past season is a part owner – Rick Pitino owns just a small percentage of the horse, but what better good luck piece could a group have in their stable this year.

Hey – I said they were guesses – that means my picks aren’t based on any real horse racing knowledge, only a long history of having a good time at horse tracks.

So go ahead, put a $2 bill down on those three, on my recommendation. What’s the most you can lose? ($6).

“And they’re off”