'22

 Kentucky Derby 2022 Selection

Admittedly this year's fastest two minutes in sports crept up quickly which is an omen for this year's selection. My 2022 rendition is lacking its normal form highlighting current events and family updates. This is the 21st Riders Up selection in a row and 24th overall. Enjoy your Derby. 

Toss (6): 2 - Happy Jack, 4 - Summer Is Tomorrow, 14 - Barber Road, 17 - Classic Causeway, 18 - Tawny Port, 21 - Rich Strike 

Cuts - Underneath Possibilities - Need to Eliminate (3): 5 - Smile Happy, 8 - Charge It,  19 - Zozos

Contenders (11):

1 - Mo Donegal

3 - Epicenter

6 - Messier

7 - Crown of Pride (Wise Guy Selection)

9 - Tiz the Bomb

10 - Zandon

11 - Pioneer of Medina

12 - Taiba

13 - Simplification

15 - White Abarrio

16 - Cyberknife

The pace scenario is potentially blistering which typically sets up for closers despite the traffic. Summer Is Tomorrow will be the first quarter pole leader with question is it :22.6 or faster with 1/2 mile of :45.4 or faster. Morning line favorite Zandon is a closer so this pace scenario sets up well yet it is all about the trip. Mo Donegal and Tiz the Bomb also fit this profile. I have always loved this scenario for Derby however since the Derby points system changed the race has fallen suit. I like those stalkers sitting off the pace. Epicenter, Messier, Taibi fit the stalker just off the pace style. Other contenders Crown Pride, Pioneer of Medina, Simplification, White Abarrio, and Cyberknife are training well and would need big steps forward.

Always mindful of 3rd race off layoff.  Mo Donegal, Messier, Zandon, Taiba (3rd career race), White Abarrio

Big Fan of Zandon, Epicenter, Taiba, and Messier for this race. Messier would be logical being a hockey guy however unlike gritty number 11 and his patented 1 footed snap shot Messier tends to not fight when challenged. Epicenter may get hung up due to Post 3 and the race speed right next to him in post 4. Zandon being a closer the pace could set up well while Taiba is lightly raced.

2022 Riders Up Selection

Taiba. California horses have won 7 of past 10 Run for the Roses. The trend continues in 2022. The morning line was 12-1 which would be great however expect it to be closer to 5 or 6:1. Two months ago Taiba had yet to run a race let alone be considered on the Derby trail which many horsepeople point to as a major strike and typically I would agree as foundation has not been achieved with more races. The game is changing and Taiba's foundation in training was with Baffert before his suspension and need to change trainers to be entered. Taiba has 2 races including impressively winning Santa Anita Derby both with 100+ Beyers and is the progeny class of the field and will be 3 year old's best by year's end.  Will the Derby kick start this?

 

WIN           12 - Taiba  

PLACE         3 - Epicenter

SHOW        10 - Zandon    

4th              6 - Messier        

5th             15 - White Abarrio

Others: 1 - Mo Donegal, 11 - Pioneer of Medina, 7 - Crowd Pride, 9 - Tiz the Bomb, 13 - Simplification, 16 - Cyberknife         

Riders Up! See You in the Winner's Circle.