Derby Steeds' Profiles: A Glimpse into Each Compeitor at the Kentucky Derby

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Citizen Bull (20-1) Record: 6-4-0-1 Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Best Beyer Speed Figure: 98 Earnings: $1,451,000 Mr. Ed's Take: The rail post might be a hindrance for the star horse, but if Citizen Bull takes the lead early, he'll be tough to beat on my Exacta ticket.
Neoequos (30-1) Record: 7-2-2-2 Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr. Jockey: Flavien Prat Best Beyer Speed Figure: 91 Earnings: $291,050 Mr. Ed's Take: Another speedball who may be compromised by the inside post. Dull record doesn't excite me, so bet at your own risk.
Final Gambit (30-1) Record: 4-2-1-1 Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Luan Machado Best Beyer Speed Figure: 90 Earnings: $520,639 Mr. Ed's Take: Big fan of Brad Cox, but I was disappointed by Tappan Street's unfortunate injury. A recent win at Turfway doesn't impress, so pass.
Rodriguez (12-1)- SCRATCHED
American Promise (30-1) Record: 9-2-1-1 Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Jockey: Nik Juarez Best Beyer Speed Figure: 95 Earnings: $444,874 Mr. Ed's Take: Not on my dance card. The "Coach" has been here and done this, but this colt is no Charismatic. Not today.
Admire Daytona (30-1) Record: 6-2-2-0 Trainer: Yukihiro Kato Jockey: Chistophe Lemarie Best Beyer Speed Figure: - Earnings: $672,047 Mr. Ed's Take: Too busy handicapping those who have a chance. I like Daytona Speedway, but not this guy.
Luxor Cafe (15-1) Record: 6-4-1-0 Trainer: Noriyuki Hori Jockey: Joao Moreira Best Beyer Speed Figure: - Earnings: $379,057 Mr. Ed's Take: A Japanese racer will eventually win the Derby, just not this year. Riding an impressive four-win streak, but he's no match for this class.

8: Journalism (3-1) Record: 5-4-0-1 Trainer: Michael McCarthy Jockey: Umberto Rispoli Best Beyer Speed Figure: 108 Earnings: $638,880 Mr. Ed's Take: If speed figures won Derbys, there would be many more West Coast winners. Inside post compromises his chances. Undefeated since debut loss. Perfect work early Sunday attests to readiness.

Burnham Square (12-1) Record: 6-3-1-1 Trainer: Ian Wilkes Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr. Best Beyer Speed Figure: 96 Earnings: $977,755 Mr. Ed's Take: He's way over-priced at 12-1. The mid-gate draw should benefit his late-running style. I was on him for his Holy Bull win, off him for Blue Grass, and I'm back on him today. One of my top plays.
Grande (20-1) - SCRATCHED
Flying Monarch (30-1) Record: 6-2-2-0 Trainer: Whitworth Beckman Jockey: Joseph Ramos Best Beyer Speed Figure: 84 Earnings: $295,800 Mr. Ed's Take: This slowpoke has my attention. Everything is improving, and his speed figure suggests a possible in-the-money finish.
East Avenue (20-1) Record: 5-2-1-0 Trainer: Brendan Walsh Jockey: Manny Franco Best Beyer Speed Figure: 96 Earnings: $654,395 Mr. Ed's Take: Walsh had an excellent Keeneland meet, and Franco is a top NY jockey. Recent work after an impressive Blue Grass effort shows he's ready. Watch for him in the Winner's Circle.
Publisher (20-1) Record: 7-M-2-3 Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. Best Beyer Speed Figure: 95 Earnings: $407,756 Mr. Ed's Take: Never count all-time wins leader Asmussen out of contention. The colt, son of Derby winner American Pharoah, is improving with every race as a 3-year-old. I like his chances in the money.
Tiztastic (20-1) Record: 8-3-1-2 Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Joel Rosario Best Beyer Speed Figure: 95 Earnings: $1,549,800 Mr. Ed's Take: Regression is expected here. No chance.
Render Judgment (30-1) Record: 7-1-2-1 Trainer: Kenny McPeek Jockey: Julien Leparoux Best Beyer Speed Figure: 90 Earnings: $250,672 Mr. Ed's Take: Not sure what this slowpoke is doing here. Kenny McPeek, you've lost your mojo.
Coal Battle (30-1) Record: 8-5-0-1 Trainer: Lonnie Briley Jockey: Juan Vargas Best Beyer Speed Figure: 91 Earnings: $1,188,875 Mr. Ed's Take: Don't know much about the horse or connections. He's bagged a bunch of money while winning five of eight against nobodies. Pass.
Sandman (6-1) Record: 8-3-1-2 Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Jose Ortiz Best Beyer Speed Figure: 99 Earnings: $1,254,595 Mr. Ed's Take: Expect Casse's charge will be over-bet. Despite an excellent record, he puts me to sleep. Can't recommend a win wager.
Sovereignty (5-1) Record: 5-2-2-0 Trainer: Bill Mott Jockey: Junior Alvarado Best Beyer Speed Figure: 95 Earnings: $572,800 Mr. Ed's Take: Improving efforts put him on my short list, replacing Tappan Street. Mott-Alvarado team is a proven winner. The outside post suits his closing style.
Chunk Of Gold (30-1) Record: 4-1-3-0 Trainer: Ethan West Jockey: Jareth Loveberry Best Beyer Speed Figure: 92 Earnings: $348,818 Mr. Ed's Take: Another lesser-known, lightly raced contestant. Pass.
Owen Almighty (30-1) Record: 7-3-2-0 Trainer: Brian Lynch Jockey: Javier Castellano Best Beyer Speed Figure: 93 Earnings: $499,935 Mr. Ed's Take: Oh by gosh, by golly, it's Owen Almighty. Great name, no chance.
Baeza (12-1) Record: 4-1-2-0 Trainer: John Shirreffs Jockey: Flavien Prat Best Beyer Speed Figure: 101 Earnings: $148,500 Mr. Ed's Take: Best rider in America and a high last-race Beyer Speed Figure aren't enough to convince me. He's not on my radar, one way or the other.
Bob Baffert, trainer of the thoroughbred '8: Journalism', has a possible contender for the Kentucky Derby, given the horse's record and best Beyer Speed Figure.
The 'thoroughbred 8' is currently priced at 3-1 in the sports of horse-racing, and its trainer, Michael McCarthy, expects the horse to perform well despite the inside post compromising its chances.
Acknowledging the impressive work rate of 'Luxor Cafe', a Japanese racer, Mr. Ed suggests that while the horse is in good form, it may not be a winning contender in this year's Kentucky Derby racing due to a class discrepancy.
In the Kentucky Derby, a thoroughbred named 'East Avenue' is on Mr. Ed's radar, with trainer Brendan Walsh having an excellent Keeneland meet, and jockey Manny Franco being a top NY rider. Mr. Ed predicts a possible in-the-money finish for East Avenue in the Winner's Circle.