So many horses starting in this race.
I love the story of Saratoga’s trainer among the many other great stories.
Sorry I couldn’t respond... I was at the track on the 1st turn... Interent connections were weak.
I liked Fierceness and Catching Freedom. But, an hour before the race, I learned that Fierceness had problems with his hoofs and shoes. His trainer, Todd Pletcher, flew an expert in from LA to repair the hoofs... but, it didn’t hold up. Fierceness was in PERFECT position to win, but...he had to pull up.
That said, this Derby was wide open. There were 7 horses that I had a $10 Win ticket on, because the odds were so high (>30-1) that I would break even. One more horse, Mystic Dan, was 18-1.. so, I put a $20 win ticket on him.
I also bet a $3 EXActa box on Dan, Forever Young, and Just a Touch.... Forever Young was literally 6” away from placing 2nd. That cost me ~ $500.. But, I was OK. I was close to even after the day of betting. And, I won $400 on the Derby.. I went home with MORE money than I took. Even after paying $22 for drinks all day. It was a GREAT day at Churchill.