Kentucky Derby questions: Who is the horse to beat?
Who is the horse to beat?
Brad Free: Dialed In. Mile and one-quarter ideal for improving colt, two-time Derby winner Zito knows how job gets done, low odds main knock.
Marcus Hersh: Dialed In. Win over the track, best overall 2011 form, master Derby trainer, the right running style, and likely ability to get the distance.
Dan Illman: Dialed In. Prepped creatively by Nick Zito against elders, then swept past the field in the Florida Derby. Other top contenders subsequently stubbed their toes.
Byron King: Soldat. He shows a favorable sheet figure pattern − a top, followed by minor regression, and then a bigger drop off. Potential rebounder.
Dave Litfin: Soldat. He has raced under a range of conditions, and the Florida Derby was the first time he’s been worse than second. Tactically, his connections surely learned that he dislikes kickback and/or being inside horses.
Photo: Dialed In. Credit: Bob Coglianese
Mike Watchmaker: Nehro. He has shown a strong late kick and is vastly improved. In a closely matched Derby, you want a colt moving in the right direction.
Mike Welsch: Dialed In. At this juncture he would have to be considered the horse to beat, but only by the slimmest of margins.