Itsmyluckyday and other Derby/Oaks contenders

Here are pictures from this morning of some of the Derby/Oaks horses I didn’t get to see before my previous blog entries (post with photos of Derby colts and geldings here and Oaks fillies here) a week ahead of the big races.

Itsmyluckyday (aka Mr. Personality) is training like a beast at Churchill Downs. He’s a beautiful mover to begin with, and he is absolutely gliding over this racetrack. The colt has physically flourished in the time since I saw him in Florida last month, so I expect him to make a very good account for himself in the Kentucky Derby!

Orb has also impressed me in his training, and there are two longshots, both homebreds for Chuck Fipke, that are bred to go the distance and who should come on running at the end: Java’s War  at 15-1 morning line and Golden Soul (50-1). I like Palace Malice best of Todd Pletcher’s five Derby entries. Another who I’d hope to see perform well is Normandy Invasion, but I’m having a tough time getting a read on him -- he’s as liable to throw in a clunker as he is to run a huge race. We shall see...

Itsmyluckyday, who will be saddled by Eddie Plesa Jr. on Saturday.

Goldencents looks to give trainer Doug O'Neill back-to-back Kentucky Derby wins.

Okay, so yes, I posted a photo of Golden Soul in a previous entry. But just look at this horse! He will relish the distance and he's fighting fit, just ask his poor exercise rider...

Richard Mandella's two-year-old champion filly Beholder, 7/2 morning line pick for the Kentucky Oaks.

Seaneen Girl, trained by Bernie Flint.