Union Rags, Gemologist continue to impress on track// Hansen amped// Handicapper picks roll in

Union Rags before galloping at Churchill Downs May 3, 2012. Photo: CTD

Today’s summary will be short. It’s time for serious handicapping. Speaking of which, I’ve put together an addendum sheet you can download here. It contains tons of ranked stats on speed (Beyer and BRIS), pedigree (dosage, TrueNicks, Tomlinson Distance Ratings), pace, workout grades, historical data (post position, jockey, trainer stats), and more.

19 of the 20 Kentucky Derby entrants hit the Churchill Downs track this morning.  Hansen made his first appearance and appeared too amped up looking into the crowd, while Gemologist and Union Rags continue to steal the gallop show.  The roundup video from DRF’s Mike Welsch can fill you in on all the details// Some great articles and angles from the big newspapers today including New York Times and Wall Street Journal.  Pat Forde of Yahoo! writes the article that needed to be written on Dr. Hansen’s hunger for attention and how it takes away from his horse// Handicapper picks are starting to come in and as expected they’re all over the place// more…

Kentucky Derby Contender Page

Includes pedigree chart, dosage, TrueNicks, PPs, Best Beyer/BRIS, and race replays

Kentucky Derby News, Interviews, and Opinion

Mike Welsch track report and final thoughts 5/3 [with video] (DRF)

Kentucky Derby Preview (Chef-de-race)

Depth makes for dynamic event (DRF)

A Kentucky Derby rundown (ESPN)

Kentucky Derby favorite? Oddsmaker shrugs (NY Times)

Envisioning how Kentucky Derby will be run is no easy task (The Times- Picayune)

Backside buzz with Jill Byrne 5/3 (Churchill Downs)

Beyer: Bodemeister by a nose (Washington Post Blog)

10 questions for Andrew Beyer (Kentucky Confidential)

Kentucky Derby favorite still has red flags (GoErie.com)

The big two leave little room at the top (DRF)

Bodemeister, Union Rags hard to get past (DRF)

Union Rags’s post okay after all, Matz says (DRF)

‘In the Derby’ doesn’t always mean in the black (The Wall Street Journal)

Kentucky Derby favorites and their auction prices (Bloodhorse Blog)

Kentucky Derby is hard to handicap (LA Times)

All clear for Creative Cause in Kentucky Derby (AP)

Creative Cause a big deal for breeder Weigel (Bloodhorse)

Union Rags’s post okay after all, Matz says (DRF)

Hansen the human trying to outshine Hansen the horse (Yahoo!)

Maker envisions perfect trip for Hansen (Bloodhorse)

Hansen survived his mother to achieve acclaim (Bloodhorse)

Harrington taking it all in ambling stride (Courier Journal)

Romans very much his own man (DRF)

Irwin, Motion make for an odd couple that thrives (DRF)

Video interviews (DRF)

Another tough spot for Daddy Long Legs (DRF)

A fallen horse trainer seeks to revive his once stellar career (NY Times)

Byrne back on the big stage (DRF)

Four jockeys get first shot at the Roses (DRF)

Last of the Cajun jockeys (Kentucky Confidential)
Jockey Borel’s Kentucky Derby addiction (CNN)

It’s once more with feeling for trainer Michael Matz (Courier Journal)

Gemologist a study in size, speed, personality (Columbus Dispatch)

Future wager provides bargains, underlays (DRF)