Handicapping the Kentucky Derby: A closer look at all 20 horses in Saturday's field

[kentuck]

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article210343874.html

[George II]

1. That rain is going to change a lot of things. My horse right now is Audible....

....don't think I'll change because of the muddy track.

[IluvPitties]

2. I used to love horse racing.

However, being exposed to the extent of abuse- from masking serious injuries with drugs, some of them prohibited, to jockeys whipping horses excessively or just buzzing the hell out of them, or simply seeing owners racing their horses even when they can't perform properly, I have lost some of my love for it.

[IluvPitties]

4. Let me just say that all of this is super common in Latin American tracks.

Don't know if it is as widespread here.

[BannonsLiver]

13. It's abuse, pure and simple

[Brother Buzz]

3. PSA: Post time for the 2018 Kentucky Derby is scheduled for 6:34 p.m. ET.

For those who don't want to sit through three hours of looking at fascinator hats and other nonsense.

[Vinca]

5. I can't watch. I always worry one will break a leg and that will be that.

[malaise]

19. Beautiful race _ was scared with all the rain -spoiler

Justify never ran as a two year old. He ran a perfect race.

[appalachiablue]

23. Yes, wonderful race and event, even with spring rain- those hats are beat

from all the partying by now anyway. "Justify", superior horse; glad I switched from Mendelssohn just in time.

[malaise]

24. LOL

He ran a perfect race - loved Laila's hat.

[appalachiablue]

25. Yes he did, love it. Makes me miss horse racing, park parties, gotta

work on that. The hats are wild, some great traditions there. And I do like some 'traditions' (sniff). Oops, uncool, but whatev!

[malaise]

28. One of my childhood friends and her husband loved in Kentucky for years

A few years ago they brought us some delicious chocolates filled with mint julep.

[appalachiablue]

29. Chocolates w mint julep, sounds delish! In England I had a Pimm's

Cup for the first time at a horse race, very refreshing!

[malaise]

30. Looks lovely

[demtenjeep]

32. Did you hear the jockey say it was the easiest ever

The horse just ran and did it all.

[malaise]

33. Yep

[MrsCoffee]

6. Got my exacta: Audible and Magnum Moon

Doubt I'll even come close, roflmao.

[OldHippieChick]

7. I can only pull for a horse named

after a classical composer so "Mendelssohn" is my boy.

[hedda_foil]

8. Thanks! My mom's family is related to the composer's so I've got a horse too!

They spelled the name with one "s."

[appalachiablue]

9. Mendelssohn it is for me. How interesting about your relation, good for you.

Kentuck, thanks for posting, I'd forgot. Love horses, I've ridden some in the west, Jamaica; enjoyed races in Md., Va., Ascot.

Animal abuse, some behind the scenes practices are ugly. Although for me, racing beats football, NASCAR, etc.

[kentuck]

10. There are some good horses in this year's race.

Mendelssohn, of course. And Good Magic. Justify is a heck of a runner. Audible is a very good horse.

And others.

[OldHippieChick]

11. Though I have no money on the race it makes it more fun to have one to root for, and am glad to know

I have DU friends who will be cheering as well. Do not have the makings for a mint julep, but will find a libation to raise!!

[appalachiablue]

14. Cheers! & Bottoms Up!

[appalachiablue]

12. Some great ones, indeed. Have my eye on Justify now. What a beautiful

place, a real elegant party, Churchill Downs! Would I love to be there, even in the drizzle and mud. Looks like a blast, in the place of "fast women and beautiful horses!"

[appalachiablue]

15. Boss hat!

[malaise]

18. Three inches of rain

This won't be fun for the horses

[appalachiablue]

20. Bravo "Justify"!

[OldHippieChick]

21. Sigh ...

Maybe next year ...

[appalachiablue]

22. Next year for sure, it's all good.

[a kennedy]

34. Was he the one from Europe??

Irish trainer, and Irish jockey,,,, yup they came in Last.

[OldHippieChick]

35. Yes, very sad. Guess

I should have listened to the "never" people, but loved the name.

[CTyankee]

16. "I've got the horse right here, his name is Paul Revere..."

Wonderful!

[elleng]

27. YAY, Yank!

[malaise]

17. Laila Ali -riders up

How lovely - she sure got her father's gorgeous looks

[elleng]

26. Who voted for Justify??? Baffert's always a good bet!

[pansypoo53219]

31. one year i picked a long shot when i spotted him in the paddock.

40 to 1. thunder gulch. then 1 year i picked the trifecta in order. lemon drop kid 3rd i think. no luck since.