Ed Said

Former KC Irish Fest president Ed Scanlon, says Mother's Day, Schmother's Day. It's Derby weekend!  And he, being an astute judge of horseflesh and a student of the sport of kings, has made his picks to make you a rich Irish Fest fan.*

"As a Kentucky Colonel (really! I am) I am in on the secret tips that only a Colonel is allowed. How do you think Colonel Sanders amassed his fortune? Do you think it was from selling those nasty mashed potatoes and gravy? I'm sorry we are not allowed to share the secret tips. But since I've never won as single Derby bet it does not really matter.

The field has been set and Macho Macho Man threw a shoe in the prelims yesterday allowing Pants on Fire to make it into the field of the 137th Kentucky Derby. This give the 5th women jockey to ever make the Run for The Roses. Anna "Rosie" Napravnik is my pick at 20-1. Only one horse, Master of Hounds, flew in for the Derby from Ireland. He is trained by Ireland's Aidan O'Brien and is a 30-1 choice. Santiva, an American horse, is trained by Waterford born Eddie Kenneally is also a 30-1 pick. My money, which I lose every year, will be on Pants on Fire. How can you go wrong with a cutie riding a nag named Pants on Fire. The sure bet will be on Uncle Mo a 9-1 pick, but what fun is it to bet the sure thing. My lovely wife places her bets based on the colors and the symbol on the Jock's uniform. Her sure pick is green and white with a star. That method has paid off very well, perhaps there is logic to it.

So Saturday afternoon I will be wearing my white suite and black tie, sipping a mint julep preparing to raise my glass to my horse "the bravest one on the track... who chased all the other the whole way". I wonder if the Irish trainers feed them a pint be for the race?"

Here is the field and odds.

1. Archarcharch 10-1

2. Brilliant Speed 30-1

3. Twice the Appeal 20-1

4. Stay Thirsty 20-1

5. Decisive Moment 30-1

6. Comma to the Top 30-1

7. Pants on Fire 20-1

8. Dialed In 4-1,

9. Derby Kitten 30-1

10. Twinspired 30-1

11 Master of Hounds 30-1

12. Santiva 30-1

13. Mucho Macho Man 12-1

14. Shakleford 12-1

15. Midnight Interlude 10-1,

16 Animal Kingdom 30-1

17. Soldat 12-1

18. Uncle Moe 9-2

19 Nehro 6-1

20. Watch Me Go 50-1

Thanks, Ed. And good luck. Me, I think I''ll put my dough on Derby Kitten, because kittens are always winners!

*Results not guaranteed. At all.