Kentucky Derby Picks

Well, for those who may have missed the build-up, the world's most prestigious horse race, the Kentucky Derby, is coming our way this afternoon. As they say in Vegas, if there's one race you will bet all year, this is it! So as a special treat for my loyal readers, I will post my Derby picks here for the first time.

1. # 16. ANIMAL KINGDOM. I LOVE this horse. And if he's anything like his daddy, the magnificent Brazilian-bred (naturally) chestnut colt with the awesome name LEROIDESANIMAUX, which translated from the French means, King of The Animals, ANIMAL KINGDOM should be flying at the top of the stretch under the capable handling of John Velazquez, a leading jockey who's hungry for his first Derby win, and beat the cavalcade at the wire. Best of all, he's hovering between 24- and 30-1 in the odds. This horse should be 4-1 in my estimation.

2. # 8. DIALED IN. The logical favorite at 9-2. Top connections, top trainer, Nick Zito, a little too cocky about his horse. He sealed his fate when he said God was on his side. God has better things to do than decide horse races. But the horse has the creds to be the one to beat, and if he sits a good trip, he should be right there.

3. # 19. NEHRO. This horse ran out of real estate losing to # 1 ARCHARCHARCH in their Oaklawn stakes prep. He galloped out strongly past his rival at the wire in a 1 1/8th mile race and should love the classic mile and one quarter distance.

4. Take your pick, if you're trifecta and superfecta players: # 1 (above) should be there with the other closers, but he drew a terrible post position, so his chances of winning are downgraded. #15, MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE is trained by Bob Baffert, a three-time Kentucky Derby winner. # 2, BRILLIANT SPEED is intriguing and should also run out his odds. If you're looking for a live longshot to include in exactas or even on top, give this one a long look.

Also consider # 13, MUCHO MACHO MAN, # 17, SOLDAT, and # 7, PANTS ON FIRE ridden by the first female jockey to crack the Derby boy's club, rising star Anna Napravnik, an amazing rider who finished second at long odds in the Kentucky Oaks with a tremendous ride. The speed will likely come from # 6, COMMA TO THE TOP, who figures to fade before the finish line. There's no lone speed in this race, so it's unlikely those types can carry their speed to the wire.

These are my top Derby picks; please do not send me nasty comments if you happen to bet them and they run up the track. It's a horse race, you know. I'm posting them here to see how well — or poorly — my prognostications turn out ...

If you decide to make a wager or two, have fun and GOOD LUCK!