In a special edition of the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland, the team of Bill Finley, Zoe Cadman and Randy Moss discussed all 20 horses entered in this year's GI Kentucky Derby, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of each one.
The consensus pick was Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), the winner of the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. He was picked on top by both Cadman and Finley.
“He's in great form, seems to be improving and should love the 1 1/4 miles,” Finley said. “He'll need a fast pace up front, but there's enough speed in this race that I think he will get it.”
Moss did not agree, picking Fierceness (City of Light).
“I'm not going to over think this,” he said. “If all the horses in the race run to their maximum potential, he will win,” he said. “He is solidly the best horse in the field.”
Asked for their sleeper pick, Finley went with Just a Touch (Justify), Moss chose Honor Marie (Honor Code) and Cadman selected Domestic Product (Practical Joke).
“Domestic Product is super live,” Cadman said. “If he gets into trouble, he should be ok. He's nimble. He's cat-like. He gets better every time.”
In the GI Kentucky Oaks, Cadman selected Just F Y I (Justify), Finley took Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) and Moss selected Ways and Means (Practical Joke).
This week's Green Group Guest of the Week was TDN European Editor Emma Berry. She was brought in to discuss Saturday's running of the G1 2000 Guineas and the horse who will be the favorite, the remarkably talented City of Troy (Justify).
In our breeding spotlight section, we took a look at the WinStar stallion Nashville, the Coolmore stallion Jack Christopher and a pair of stallions at Pleasant Acres, Verifying and Magic on Tap.
The Coolmore sire this week is Tiz the Law.
The TDN Writers' Room podcast is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, Coolmore, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar, Pleasant Acres Farm, 1/ST Racing and XBTV.com.
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