Ahhh!!!  The first weekend in May.  The smell of freshly mown grass, and flowers in bloom.  The culmination of spring is finally here.  So what does that mean?  Why the Kentucky Derby of course.

The 133rd running of horse racing's most prestigious race will be run this Saturday, May 5th, 2007.  (Same day as Cinco de Mayo?)  For all horse racing enthusiasts this is THE race.  The penultimate of ultimates.  The numero uno (Macho Uno?), number one.  I do dearly love the Breeder's Cup, but to pack in the excitement of one race, it has to be The Kentucky Derby.

Many of you may remember the victory of the late Barbaro in last years running of the Kentucky Derby.  One of the most dominating performances in recent history.  Sadly his story ended in the Belmont Stakes a short 5 weeks later.  A devastating leg injury cost Barbaro his chance at a Triple Crown, and later proved to be so costly that it took his life as well.

My memories of the Kentucky Derby are that of Charasmatic roaring down the back stretch at 31-1 odds, and me, holding a $20 Win-Place-Show ticket.  I also held an exacta ticket that paid $1200 as well.  Nothing better than your 'shot' rolling home in the biggest race of them all.  A few short years thereafter, a horse called Funny Cide came roaring home at odds of 13-1.  I finished out his victory with the exacta, trifecta, and superfecta as well.  A feat that I would compare to hitting for the cycle in baseball.  My favorite day of all-time at the races.  Then a few years later a $5 Win-Place-Show ticket on Giacomo as he came rolling home at odds of 50-1.  One of the biggest upsets in Derby history.

As you can see, The Kentucky Derby has been very good to me, and holds a place very dear in my heart.  I have always had a fondness for horses, and believe they are the most beautiful animals on the planet.  (Except for women of course.).  To me there is nothing better than hearing the hooves of 20 horses rumbling down the front stretch at Churchill Downs at the start of The Kentucky Derby.  Brings chills up and down my spine.  I'm sure this is a similar feeling that serious NASCAR fans get at the start of the Daytona 500.

This year looks to be a wide open affair, much like last year when the favorite went off at odds of 9/2.  I expect much the same this year.  Street Sense or Curlin look to be the logical favorites, but I can't see either of them going off at odds much below 7/2.  However, the public likes a winner, and they have a tendency to bet down the favorite in The Kentucky Derby.  Just a quick bit of advice, the favorite has only won The Kentucky Derby twice in the past 27 years.  Even the great Barbaro went off at odds of 6 to 1 last year. 

So as you may be celebrating Cinco de Mayo by pounding down Dos Equis or Corona's, I'll be at my local simulcasting tossing back a few Mint Juleps cheering on my hores(s) in the greatest event that occurs every year on the 1st weekend in May.  The Kentucky Derby.  As the NTRA would say, GO BABY GO!

Later on this week I will break down the race I see it, and give out my wagering tips.  Happy wagering all.  I'll leave you with Funny Cide crossing the finish line back in 2003.