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Kentucky Derby Preview 2008

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With his wealth of knowledge and a passion for US racing Nick Shiambouros takes you through all the runners for the 134th running of the Derby at Churchill Downs.

The memory of last years Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense is still etched on my mind as I look forward to this great race on Saturday at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is truly one of the greatest races in the world and the whole of America will stand still for the greatest two minutes in sport.

This year the race has attracted a full field of 20 where the filly Eight Belles is taking her chance against the colts in a race has an open and strong look about it. adding drama to this very strong looking field. I have listed each runner in race card order with my analysis for every horse in the field.

1-Cool Coal Man

This is trainer Nick Zito's only runner in the Derby as War Pass is out with an injury. This son of Mineshaft comes in to the race with a lack lustre display in the Blue Grass Stakes but like so many of the runners that day he did not handle the Polytrack surface well. If he recaptures the form he showed in the Fountain Of Youth at Gulfstream then he could finish in the first three.

2-Tale Of Ekati

This horse comes in to the race with a game victory gunning down War Pass close home in the Grade1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct .He belongs in the race but I do not think he can improve enough to take the top spot.

3-Anak Nakal

This son of Victory Gallop also ran in the Wood Memorial and finished fifth to Tale Of Ekati and it would be a major upset if he managed to win the Derby. He will be a massive price on the day.

4-Court Vision

This horse was finishing well in the Wood Memorial and if the pace is very quick on Saturday he will be closing in at the end of the race and could have a chance to be placed at a big price.

5- Eight Belles.

The lone filly in the race and it is a brave decision by trainer Larry Jones to run her. Her victory in the Honneybee Stakes at Oaklawn was simply sensational but this is a different ball game taking on colts. I must admit this decision has left me scratching my head because she would have been hard to beat in the Oaks on Friday but it would be foolish to second guess Jones who trained Hard Spun who finished second in last years race.

6-Z Fortune

This horse comes in to the race in the form of his life and is still improving. He is one of two horses entered by Steve Asmussen and has form behind Pyro.I think this horse is a lively outsider.

7 -Big Truck

He won the Tampa Bay Derby in game style beating Atoned but he failed to fire in the Bluegrass Stakes like so many other horses in that race. He needs to improve significantly to take a hand here.

8-Visionare

This lightly raced son of Grand Slam has some fair form behind Pyro but he will be a big price on the day.

9-Pyro

This son of Pulpit comes in to the race after a very dull effort in the Blue Grass Stakes. I have to forgive that run as I do not think he handled the Polytrack surface well. Prior to that he was a brilliant winner of the Risen Star and The La Derby at the Fairgrounds. Pyro will lay off the speed and hopefully he can come with one sweeping move and mow them all down in the lane. I have backed him for this race but after his recent effort there is a concern but I will be surprised if he does not go close.

10- Colonel John

This California invader boasts the very best form on the west coast and comes in to the race at the peak of his form. He showed he was a class act when winning the Grade1 Santa Anita Derby and is a strong second choice in the market.Eoin Harty is a very astute trainer and this horse must have a solid chance here.

11-Z Humour

This well bred colt has a lot to find on the book and will be a major shock if he wins this race. In addition I think he has stamina issues.

12- Smooth Air

Based on his second to Big Brown in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream he could run in to a place at big odds on the day.

13-Bob Black Jack

This is another invader from the west coast and ran his heart out in the Santa Anita Derby to finish second to Colonel John. If this horse takes a step forward he could go well at a big price.

14-Monba

This horse won the Bluegrass Stakes for Todd Pletcher and comes in to the race in good heart but I think a lot of his opponents underachieved that day due to the Polytrack surface. He will attract support because of his trainer.

15-Adriano

Adriano enters this race in peak form after winning the Lanes End for British born Graham Motion. This horse can go very well in the race and is definitely on the upgrade.

16-Denis Of Cork

His reputation was dented when he was defeated in the Illinois Derby and will be a very big price on the day.

17- Cowboy Cal

Another Pletcher runner who was second to Monba in the Blue Grass and will be overbet in the race for his high profile trainer.

18-Recapturetheglory

This easy winner of the Illinois Derby comes in to the race with a huge effort and is a lively longshot.

19-Gayego

This speedy individual won the Arkansas Derby in great style but he needs to relax on the front end if he is to play a hand in the finish.

20-Big Brown

Last but not least this horse was a brilliant winner of the Florida Derby but once again the draw has not been kind to him. He is unbeaten and his trainer will not hear of defeat for this very smart colt. I have had a saver on him because he could be a superstar. He put in a very fast time in the Florida Derby and he is still improving. In addition he has been working brilliantly on the track this week. He is a huge threat to win this and is a deserving favourite.

In summary it promises to be a fantastic race on Saturday and wherever you are in the world try and get to a TV Set to at least watch it and good luck to everyone who is on course for the greatest 2 minutes in sport. Enjoy every single moment because they don't come along that often .

Selections:

1-Pyro 2- Big Brown 3-Adriano