The Haiku Handicapper: Kentucky Derby field

Joe Nevills|May 02, 2013

Barbara D. Livingston Florida Derby winner Orb, above, was made the 7-2 morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby over the undefeated Verrazano.

DRF Breeding staff writer Joe Nevills analyzes the Kentucky Derby field, in post position order, in the form of Haiku; a Japanese poem of 17 syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five.

Black Onyx
Clicks with Breen, Bravo
His best might not be enough
With that brutal post

Oxbow
Calumet reborn
A legacy to uphold
He ain’t Alydar

Revolutionary
Hard-nosed, gritty colt
Gets Churchill’s gutsiest jock
Post three’s no problem

Golden Soul
Backed into his spot
Soundly thumped by many here
Safe to move along

Normandy Invasion
Trouble, excuses
Plagued his two most recent starts
Bad luck won’t fly here

Mylute
Closed fast at Fair Grounds
Seems he’s still seeking his niche
Tough spot to find it

Giant Finish
Last-minute entry
Preakness credentials are strong
What’s this race again?

Goldencents
West Coast’s top prospect
Rank San Felipe still haunts
Can he keep his cool?

Overanalyze
Stunning Oaklawn score
But he lacks consistency
Middle of the pack

Palace Malice
Cot Campbell’s hopeful
Honest, but lacks marquee wins
Eye for exotics

Lines of Battle
Foreign invader
At least he can’t do much worse
Than Daddy Long Legs

Itsmyluckyday
A Gulfstream standout
Had no response to Orb’s charge
When the chips were down

Falling Sky
Wilting pacesetter
Will love it in Iowa
But not in this spot

Verrazano
Curse of Apollo
Meets undefeated record
Longer streak prevails

Charming Kitten
Dirt resume’s blank
Should like distance, Churchill’s track
Don’t count this one out

Orb
Handles traffic well
And picks up white-hot rider
A serious threat

Will Take Charge
Regally-bred colt
Seeks to avenge big bro’s flop
Not sure what you’ll get

Frac Daddy
Made good on last chance
Still a non-winner of two
But loves Churchill Downs

Java’a War
A lights-out closer
Dirt might be his third surface
Shades of Dullahan?

Vyjack
Embattled trainer
And Fair Hill convalescence
Too many red flags

Fear the Kitten (also-eligible)
On the AE list
Tries to go from claim to fame
In over his head

Prediction:
Who wears the roses?
Orb rolls, Shug, Phipps celebrate
Three and 10 follow

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