All kidding aside it looks like the Derby Numbers are good. I don't do figures so take that for what its worth.

I don't think the condition of the track can be underestimated in the performances of most of the horses. The BEST HORSE WON and the SECOND BEST HORSE RAN SECOND. The winner and the 3rd and 4th place finishers had a little seasoning under them so they were better able to handle the elements while the runner-up only needed to do what he does best. Go to the lead and try and hang on.

I played the 0-2-X angle and lost, if you played the Two Good Ones and a Bad One then the RACE OF HIS LIFE ANGLE with Jerry on Thunder Gulch you are up about 4000%. Next race, next pattern read, that is how the game is played. NO ONE WINS THEM ALL.

I hope Smarty wins the Preakness the SI coverage along with other press is good for the game. It would be disappointing if he lost. However, there would be a groundswell of interest if he won and moved on to the Belmont gunning for the Triple Crown. Add that going into the summer with the Seabiscuit movie from last summer and maybe some other people would realize what we already know--Horse Racing is a lot of fun mixed with a lot of good people.

Having said that as someone pointed the three straight negative numbers and tight spacing do not bode well for Smarty. I have seen older horses that were better than Smarty IS NOW be toast by the time Breeders Cup rolls around from the stress of their work. Skip Away and Lemon Drop Kid to name a couple, Mineshaft didn't even make it to Breeders Cup Day.

The question Derby Day was, "Who is the best horse???"

The question Preakness Day is, "Will the Best Horse Win???"