Almost immediately after Animal Kingdom crossed the wire as the winner of this years Kentucky Derby, many so called experts in our sport began dismissing the performance as a fluke. We have seen this move before with longshot winners of the Derby. The experts said Mine That Bird didn’t breathe the same air as Rachel Alexandra, but he finished only a length behind her in the Preakness. When War Emblem won his Derby in gate to wire fashion, again the experts second guessed his ability, and again they were wrong. Charasmatic was given no chance to win his 3rd race in 6 weeks when he won his Preakness at odds of 8-1. Don’t be distracted by the pundits who are unwilling to admit they were wrong about Animal Kingdom from the start. This colt had performed well in every start before the Derby, and was only guilty of having prepped on polytrack. That was countered with what was widely regarded as the best work going into the race by any contender. I am amazed that so little credit has been given to the fact that he was able to close the way he did into very soft fractions, not winning by a desparate nose, but a decisive two lengths that left nothing to doubt. Animal Kingdom is a legit horse, who may be blossoming before our eyes. He deserves to be the favorite, and deserves our respect.

I guess everyone will say that Archarcharch got the worst of the draw today, but I don’t think that is necessarily the case.  He was going to be in the first or second flight anyway, and the horse next to him, Brilliant Speed, will also take back, so they might help each other.  But what about Pants On Fire in the seven post?  He has P Val on his inside, and Shackleford, Soldat, and Uncle Mo to his outside, all of whom will be sent from the bell hoping to be in the first flight.  If Pants On Fire doesn’t break alertly, he could end up the meat of a Derby sandwich.  And if the opposite happens, if Pants On Fire breaks running, along with Comma to the Top, Decisive Moment, and Shackleford, where do you go with Midnight Interlude, Soldat, and Uncle Mo?  Those three are likely to either be very wide or in tight quarters going into the first turn.  The bottom line is, we won’t know who has the worst or best post position until about 15 seconds into the running of the Kentucky Derby.  Hopefully all will have a safe trip, and for one lucky three year old, the moment of a lifetime.