The Name Game: The thread connecting all 20 Kentucky Derby contenders
Known Agenda exercises in preparation for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Jamie Newell/TwinSpires)
April 29th, 2021
Yet another Super Stock of three-year-old horses will line up in the starting gate for the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
It's the 147th running of the great race, and after a date in September last year, it’s back on its well Known Agenda of the first Saturday in May.
Like a Helium balloon, the Essential Quality it takes to contest this great race has once again risen to the top.
The jockeys of the 20 talented horses are all Highly Motivated to win and be treated Like The King, with a Garland of Roses at the post-race presentation. It’s a victory some feel is worthy of a Sainthood.
For the winning connections, forget the Soup and Sandwich. It will be lobster and champagne and most likely a Midnight Bourbon or two, and O… Besos and hugs all around.
From Los Angeles to Brooklyn, Strong opinions will form across the country about who’s going to wear roses.
Finding the winner starts with working out the race Dynamic. One can study morning workouts, past performances, and the Brisnet speed ratings. And speaking of speed, boy are these guys fast — up to 45 miles an hour down the stretch. That’s quicker than a 1950s Hot Rod.
Charlie Whittingham trained two winners in the 80s — his last the same year Tone Loc released a song about that Medina Spirit.
D. Wayne Lukas dominated the 90s, but it’s that man Bob Baffert who has reigned supreme in recent years. No one will have trained more Derby winners if he wins his seventh Saturday, so no doubt Mr. Baffert would say “Keepmeinmind” when placing your bets.
Just Like Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury taking on Anthony Joshua, this is horse racing’s heavyweight showdown. It's the most famous race in the world, at the most famous track in the world. The iconic Twin Spires, with its Mandoloun-like windows, playing witness to another year of American sporting history.
So grab your Hidden Stash of Bourbonic beverages, fire up that TwinSpires betting account and get ready for a race guaranteed to Rock Your World.
