Over the years, Todd Pletcher has had many runners in the Kentucky Derby that were good horses. This year he had a great one.
When it was announced that Eskendereya wouldn’t be his ‘main man’ in the 2010 ‘Run for the Roses,’ Pletcher decided to send a ‘girl’ in his place.
Devil May Care’ win in the Bonnie Miss was an impressive performance. And her entry into the Derby gives Pletcher his best remaining shot to win it.
Perhaps Nick Zito said it best. “If you go back, this isn’t the first time that a favorite’s been knocked out,” and “You have to be humble. I could get on my knees right now, because I know where it comes from.”
He could “get on his knees…because he knows where it comes from.” You have to love Zito, Dutrow, and trainers like them, who take the show on the road wherever they run.
Zito mentioned the 1962 and 1966 runnings of the Kentucky Derby when Graustark and Sir Gaylord were the early favorites, respectively. Of particular interest is the story of Graustark who’s trainer was ridiculed for his handling in the weeks leading up to the Derby and his subsequent scratch.
The Derby has a less than favorable history with its favorite runners. Most of them don’t win, and sometimes they don’t get in. Last year I Want Revenge was scratched the morning of the race, and has not run back since. This year it looked like Eskendereya would give John Velasquez his first Kentucky Derby winning ride. Both horses were headed into the Derby starting gate as the favorite after stunning performances in the Wood.
Lookin’ At Lucky is currently the favorite. But that may not be so lucky because history tells us that anything can happen.
And, if they happen to drape the roses over Devil May Care on Saturday it wouldn’t be the first time, and it won’t be the last.
After all, roses are for girls anyway, right?
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