Kentucky Derby Contenders' Workout Analysis

[I Heart Gambling Online]

Big Brown Draws Extreme Outside Post Position 20

Evaluation of all 20 Derby contenders' most recent workouts

A Column by Steve Davidowitz
May 1, 2008

It was past 5:30 PM on Wednesday, April 30, and the outside three post positions and the two inside posts were all trainer Rick Dutrow had left to choose for favorite Big Brown in the unique selection process for the 134th Kentucky Derby.

Dutrow chose post 20-yes, 20!

It was not the best choice for a horse in the world's most famous race, but it was the correct choice, given a few important historical considerations:

* The inside two posts in a 20 horse field invariably present difficulties that are difficult to overcome with any rough bumping or shoving leaving the starting gate.

* The cavalry charge run to the first turn in a 20 horse Derby can get very dangerous for a horse on the inside when the horses with early speed cross over to tighten up the field, causing a horse to lose valuable position and perhaps a chance to get into a rhythmic, efficient stride.

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