Cheers & Jeers » This derby field is wide open … or is it?

Cheers & Jeers » This derby field is wide open … or is it?

Published April 30, 2009 4:00am ET



Garry Stevens and Bob Neumeier, both NBC horseracing analysts, had a hard time coming up with a winner for the Kentucky Derby, a testament to the lack of a dominating horse.

But they disagree on one thing: Stevens said every horse has a chance. Neumeier disagrees.

“Conventional wisdom suggests the Kentucky Derby is annually a wide-open, ultra-competitive race, with many of the 19 entrants enjoying a reasonable chance for success,” Neumeier told The Examiner’s Jim Williams. “But lately the Derby has been controlled by highly-rated favorites and this year’s edition figures to be won by one of the top three choices. They would include Pioneerof the Nile, I Want Revenge and the lightly-raced but talented Dunkirk.”

Among the other storylines Neumeier likes:

» Will newly elected Hall-of-Fame trainer Bob Baffert win his fourth derby courtesy of Pioneerof the Nile?

» Will conditioner Todd Pletcher break an 0-for-21 Derby slump with Dunkirk?

» Will former high school principal Tom McCarthy provide the stunning upset with his horse, General Quarters? He bought the horse for only — yes, only — $20,000.