To: Larry S. who wrote (47922 ) 4/30/2003 7:33:20 AM From: Nemer Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 53068 Kentucky Derby.. Kafwain, was until yesterday afternoon, my pick. As to Empire, Frankel is covering his @ss in the event of a loss, the way I see it. I've made good money for a long time betting his horses, for he does and outstanding job. The first year he came to OakLawnPark in Hot Springs, he brought Luis Ortez (a journeyman rider, but competent) so ====== I bet every horse he ran to win and collected some nice payoffs. The folks in Arkansas did NOT know who he was, or how good he was.... back then. He prepares them well and enters them in the right place. That was longer ago than twenty years .. longer than I care to recall ....bzgggggg That said, he is a New Yorker. Whiner and moaner. Everything that happens it NOT his fault. Excuses. Bitcher. as I said, typical NewYorker.......... so, whilst I feel sure that Empire does have a slight bruise .... Frankel is gonna make sure the world knows it. Last year, do you recall the middle of the night horse move to one of the Triple Crown races .... Frankel moved the horse at around 3am in the morning and then blamed the loss on the late night move ... heh heh heh heh Now, I'll wait until the draw/position selection this afternoon at 5:00pm EDT on ESPN. here is a post from yesterday concerning a few good handicapping factors I've used for a long time on the Derby Message 18896312 >>>> Eliminate these ... act as if they aren't even entered in handicapping a) Post Time Favorite b) eliminate any which are NOT aa) stakes winner bb) past performance runners in at least one 1 1/8 mile race and cross off those which c) have fewer than 3 races this year d) have more than 4 races this year e) chunk out those which had a poor race at CDChoose from only the runners who finished A) == on the board in one or more of these races Arkansas Derby Blue Grass Stakes Florida Derby Santa Anita Derby Spiral Stakes (formerly the Jim Beam Stakes) Wood Memorial and B) == in the money last start Workouts and/or races at Churchill are very important .... bullets at any distance are very valuable good times for over 5 fl are needed it is good to have your pick show an affinity for the track by showing it in w/o.......