Race 8 at Churchill Downs coming up in about 15 minutes - The Alysheba Stakes. Neck 'n Neck looks good to me here. Racing back to shape after a lengthy layoff in 2014 he has 4 wins in 6 starts at Churchill Downs.

Race 10 the Eight Belles Stakes - Don't think I have ever seen a race with so many super fast front runners in it before. Only one seems to have the ability to consistently come from off the lead - Promise Me Silver. She seems a cinch in this spot

In the early win betting for the Derby there is one horse being bet heavily - Frosted. Some play on longshots Danzig Moon and Keen Ice too. Materiality, Bolo and Far Right are ice cold in the betting. Upstart isn't being bet at all. The rest of the horses are at what they should be.

In the Oaks/Derby Double payoffs Frosted,Mubtaahij and Keen Ice are getting big action. Frosted and Mubtaahij especially. Materiality and Upstart aren't getting any action in the double.

My Derby Pick: Mubtaahij
-I just think that he is in the right spot, adjusting well to Churchill Downs, has one of the best trainers in the world who knows how to win in pretty much every country, and he wants to go this distance (and longer). Mubtaahij could run all day and should be able to beat this field which, while I think is very deep, is weak compared to past fields. There are more contenders in this race who actually have a chance to win than in past years, but aren't as strong or stand outs as other 3-year old crops.
Projected Order of Finish:
1- Mubtaahij
2- Firing Line
3- American Pharoah
4- Frosted
5- Keen Ice
6- Danzig Moon
7- Dortmund
8- Bolo
9- Upstart
10- Carpe Diem
11- Frammento
12- Tencendur
13- Mr. Z
14- Far Right
15- War Story
16- Materiality
17- International Star
18- Ocho Ocho Ocho
19- Itsaknockout

My Tickets:
-$10 Across on Mubtaahij
-$10 Across on Firing Line
-$5 Exacta Box 6-10-18
-$0.50 Trifecta Wheel 6,8,10,15,18 w/ 5,6,8,10,15,18,19 w/ 5,12,14,15,21
-$1 Superfecta 6,10,18 with 6,8,10,14,18 with 5,14,15 with 14,20,21

I think this is going to be a great race and good luck to everyone in their picks!

10 minutes out to the Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile - Let's take a longshot here. Tepin came back this year with a nice allowance win. What I like about her was last year she was choking in the stretch in most races and her return this year she had a nice rally and won good. Place and show hope.

Win will work too My handicapping is good lately

Churchill Downs Stakes - Short field not a very good betting race. All speed with one who can rally - Pants On Fire. I'll take him. Go against Bayern at your own risk.

ATR said it was watching the derby- Lying u know what

The Woodford Reserve - If the last turf race is any indicator; speed is needed. Chocolate Ride is all the speed in a race void of speed. He will be hard to catch but I will take one who has the ability to rate somewhat close - Slumber. 7yo ran a huge race last out off the layoff. I love older horses at the top of their game.

Well the speed in the Woodford came from some unlikely horses. Strangely run race.

A truly run race. American Pharoah was asked for everything to win and did it. Can't see him having anything left in the tank for the Preakness and no way he gets the Belmont distance. Frosted ran very well and very wide but was beaten by better horses. Firing Line is the real deal.

Yes The Pharoah( if only I had the 16-1) won but it was a bit of a struggle, the time was poor though. They should have run much faster of that average pace.

I thought Frosted ran well considering the race was not run to suit and the hold up horses were at a major disadvantage.

I just hope shared belief comes back from injury so we can have a great season, so far he's in front of The Pharoah in my eyes. But I love them both.

I don't think he was at his best, he was the first one of the bridle. I think he will win more easily at the Preakness, remember he was out later than every other horse so he should have more in the tank. He had the worst draw and was wide all the way.

More reasons to not bet him in the Preakness. He spent every last ounce of energy winning the Derby. I won't touch him. If there is a hot pace I'll take Frosted again.

I think he bounced after the last race and all the traveling he's done in the past 6 weeks but I will reserve judgement until I see the fractions of the race.