Big Brown Easily Toppled Odds

Posted by BarbaraAnne Helberg May 5, 2008

Yes, Big Brown was inexperienced (three career starts) in his Kentucky Derby, the world's most prestigious Thoroughbred showcase. Yes, he was starting from the impossible Post Position 20.

Only Regret (1915) had beaten the first jinx and only Clyde Van Dusen (1929) had beaten the second one.

So, yes, in the end, I went with the odds -- against Big Brown. My trifecta and my backup trifecta went head over heals. Except for Denis of Cork. I scored one of six.

Big Brown is a fantastic Kentucky Derby champion. And I'm not just saying this -- that in my deepest of hearts, I was rooting for him. He looked good. But those odds.

And I just had to go with those odds against. Maybe this will teach me my lesson -- go with the heart and guts. Leave the odds to others to fuss with and sort through.

My picks of Monba to win, Colonel John to place, Denis of Cork to show finished like this: 20th of 20, sixth, and third. Hmm... A backup trifecta (chosen because after War Pass's injury put him out of the Derby, and Pyro's last previous race was a bomb, and I didn't have a clue who to boost in the wide open mix that was left) went like this: Cool Coal Man, Tale of Ekati, Adriano, and they finished like this -- 15th (oh, dear), fourth (whew, okay, not too bad), and 19th!

From now on, it's the heart that will lead!