1. Classic Empire
2. Irish War Cry
3. McCraken
4. Gunnevera
CLASSIC EMPIRE showed his class and talent in winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in fast time last year and then last month exhibited another skill in taking the Arkansas Derby – the ability to overcome adversity. Those traits make him the most likely winner of the Kentucky Derby.
1. Irish War Cry
2. Practical Joke
3. Gormley
4. McCraken
IRISH WAR CRY enters in top form and with the field’s top speed figures. He has an up-front running style, and recent Derby winners have been forwardly placed. Irish War Cry has won four of five starts and established his class by winning graded stakes at two tracks. Lots to like. His impressive victory last out in the Wood Memorial was the result of a perfect trip, which is expected. He usually gets a perfect trip due to his running style.
1. McCraken
2. Practical Joke
3. Lookin At Lee
4. Gunnevera
The road to this year’s Kentucky Derby has been a bumpy one, and even the most accomplished of this 3-year-old crop have managed to find a pothole or two on the way to Louisville.
That inconsistency, when added to a group of 20 3-year-olds who have top Beyer Speed Figures residing in a tight range, makes for a Derby that, while maybe a bit top-heavy, still seems open to one of several different outcomes.
Assessing the pace scenario is one of the more critical aspects of handicapping the Kentucky Derby. Historically, the Derby has featured fast early paces, enabling even the deepest one-run closers a chance to hit the board. Recently, however, the Derby has featured more moderate paces during the early stages, making it very difficult to catch the horses who are forwardly placed throughout. This year’s pace scenario is an intriguing one; below, you’ll find runners grouped based on where they’re likely to reside during Saturday’s race.
FORWARD
How does the Projector work? The TimeformUS Pace Projector attempts to predict how a race will unfold early. It displays the horses ranked by the TimeformUS Early Speed Rating – fastest in the front, slowest in the rear. The image shows where the horses are projected to be after the first half-mile of a route race. The front is displayed to the right. It also attempts to determine if the pace of the race is likely to be fast, average, or slow.
Belmont | Race 7 | Post Time 4:41 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
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Rumble Doll
Trainer: Robert Falcone Jr.
Last race: April 28, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 5 1/2
Beyer: 79
Solid turf sprinter made seasonal debut in a tough field and kept trying through a traffic-filled trip before eventually landing third behind an impressive winner.
Race 3
First Charmer (#3)
Really came to hand in the second half of last year, earning a series of competitive speed figures.
Ran better than it seems off a similar layoff last year despite getting a terrible trip.
Loves the Belmont turf course.
10-1 on ML
:: Get TimeformUS PPs for these races at Belmont
Race 5
