Fighting Through The Draw

The major prep races for this weekend on the Kentucky Derby trail all had their draws today. The Grade 1 Wood Memorial will feature a field of ten, the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby will go one better than that with eleven, and the Grade 3 Illinois Derby will go one better than that and offers a field of twelve.

Of course, the highlight horse of the weekend will be the 2010 Champion Two-Year-Old Colt, Uncle Mo. He drew right in the middle of the bunch in the Wood Memorial, getting the #5 post position. I will be guessing that Uncle Mo will be going off somewhere around 1-5 in the Wood Memorial, given the quality (or apparent lack thereof) of his competition in the race.

The Santa Anita Derby draw was a little more of a story with Jaycito getting stuck all the way outside in post #11. The likely favorite will be Grade 2 San Felipe winner, Premier Pegasus, who got spot #8. The Grade 2 Robert E. Lewis winner, Anthony's Cross, who is unraced since that upset victory, will be starting in post position #9. The Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby winner, the Steve Asmussen-trained Silver Medallion, will be in post #4. Finally, Grade 1 CashCall Futurity winner, Comma To The Top, who will not be going to the Kentucky Derby, is in post #5.

The Illinois Derby gets the 47-1 upset winner of the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby, Watch Me Go. Watch Me Go drew post position #4 at Hawthorne. I don't think you will be getting 47-1 on Watch Me Go in Chicago. He has already been installed as the 7-2 morning-line choice. Others of interest in the Illinois Derby include the Al Stall-trainee, Sour at 6-1 in post #6, and El Grayling, who will be breaking from the #10 hole.

There are three very interesting races to watch for those of you interested in the Kentucky Derby field and the way it is shaping up this weekend. Remember, the Derby is now just one month from tomorrow. Tune in again on Friday for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!