And The Results Are? Not Too Green!

Now I know why I still work for a living! An interesting day that made the Derby stand-out even murkier than it already is.

The Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby was won by 6/5 Street Sense ridden by Calvin Borel. Borel, who is known as an "on the throttle" jockey, actually stalked the pace and was all out to have Street Sense prevail by the scantest of noses over 3/5 favorite Any Given Saturday. I wasn't crazy about Street Sense because of the long layoff; but, he was impressive. Now we know that both Street Sense and Any Given Saturday have a lot of fight in them. Their stretch duel brought back memories of Affirmed and Alydar, that's how close it was. Could Street Sense break the Breeder's Cup Juvenile jinx? Maybe. Distinguished Kiss, ridden by Jeffrey Sanchez, was far, far back early and closed to get a "suck-up" 3rd. He didn't show enough closing power to me to make me want to get nuts about him for the Derby. We'll now need to see if this tough race took anything out of the top 2.

The Grade 3 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park was won by 5/2 Curlin ridden by Robby Albarado. He was much the best winning with authority by 5 widening lengths. Officer Rocket, sent off at 3/1, ran well to get second. My pick, Teuflesberg, ridden by Stewart Elliott, finished 3rd at 5/1. He came out flat-footed out of the gate and perhaps getting him hustled up into contention may have taken some starch out of him. Favorite Flying First Class, ridden by Edgar Prado, got into a speed duel with XChanger (John Jacinto, up) and paid the price as he flew coach down the stretch. He beat 70/1 Sumac. Curlin sure looked good and he made it look easy--look out.

The Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita had one scratch in Tap It Light, making for a 5 horse field. Favorite Air Commander, 6/5 with Garrett Gomez and Cobalt Blue, 2/1 with Victor Espinoza put on quite a show with the nod going to Cobalt Blue by 2 lenghts. Level Red, 4/1 with Aaron Gryder rounded out the triple. Todd Pletcher's Grapelli, 9/2 with Richard Migliore is likely to be left in the barn come Derby day. He finished last in a very pedestrian effort.

Stay tuned for upcoming Prep races and the chance to lose more money!

May the horse be with you!

The Artist Formerly Known as Racetrack Lenny