I've been on the Eskendereya bandwagon for a while now. What's not to like? His Florida race, best breeding in the Derby bunch (by Giant's Causeway out of a Seattle Slew mare!), and now - his 9+ length victory in the Wood. If I was looking for a drawback, I would say short, questionable field in NY - and 1 of the only other real contenders had an abysmal day. Eskendereya will rightfully be the favorite on Derby Day.
If you are looking for a horse who might be more of a price, how about Awesome Act? Nice Gotham, and then in the Wood, he broke bad, lost a shoe, was strangled by Leparoux until about the 1/8 pole - where he then had the unenviable (impossible) task of trying to chase down the romping Eskendereya. He wound up 3rd, and I would expect him to improve off that race.
Lookin' At Lucky is the reigning 2yo champ, but has had 1 problem after another in his races this year. The latest was the Santa Anita Derby - where Sidney's Candy ran off and left everyone. Abysmal trip aside for LaL - will it really get better in the 20 horse cavalry charge that is the KY Derby? As for the winner - speed speed speed - and I don't think that's gonna do it this year in KY. (unless of course it rains - then I say go with the speed horse!)
American Lion - Il Derby. hmmm......stamina and class question(s). Nice horse, War Emblem pulled this off, but probably (at best) part of the exotics.
Honestly at this point, it's going to take a helluva horse having a helluva day to beat Eskendereya. But as we well know, oftens it's not the best horse who wins the Derby; it's the horse who gets the best trip.
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