Paddy's Picks - The Go-To Second Opinion at the Track

Paddy’s Picks Kentucky Derby Preview

1- Finnick the Fierce (SCRATCHED)

This colt has put in several valiant efforts against very strong competition, but he’s never come close to breaking through and joining the ranks of Tiz the Law and Authentic. He’s relatively slow here, but that’s not his biggest problem; Finnick the Fierce only has one eye, his left. Breaking from the rail, that means that he won’t be able to see the rest of the field to his outside at the start of the race. It’s a serious challenge against such a large field, and I seriously doubt he’ll manage to overcome the obstacle. read more

Nittany Buy-Ins: Kentucky Oaks Preview w/ Guest Handicapper Emma Moquin

Every year, on the eve of the Kentucky Derby, the country’s top three-year-old fillies make their best attempt to upstage the boys in the Kentucky Oaks. In many past renditions, the smaller, all-female event has paled in comparison to the larger, mostly male Derby. This year, however, may be a little different.

While Tiz the Law prepares to romp again tomorrow against a weak Derby field, this year’s Oaks field features two of the most compelling fillies in recent memory. Gamine, the inexperienced superstar, will face off against Swiss Skydiver, the battle hardened powerhouse, in a highly anticipated showdown that’s been building for months. read more

“My Old Kentucky Home:” The Complicated History of a Derby Day Tradition

This Saturday, September 5, 20 horses will step on to the historic dirt course at Churchill Downs for the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby. For two minutes every year, the world travels back in time to fervently spectate a dying sport, a pillar of Kentuckian culture that will never fall, so long as there are still Kentuckians to fight for it. In Louisville, “the Derby” is an institution first and a sporting event second.

This year, the grandstands will be empty, but it won’t be silent as the 20 hopefuls prepare to enter the starting gate. What 2020’s rendition will lack in fanfare, it will make up for with a heralded tradition. For the past 90 years, the official state song has accompanied the horses through the post parade. read more

Saratoga Analysis: Sunday, August 23, 2020

I’m actually somewhat charmed by this Sunday card at Saratoga. There’s something to look at in every race, even those that I would usually detest. The G1 Diana later in the day only adds to the fun.

Saratoga Analysis: Saturday, August 23, 2020

The rain will likely put a damper on the early part of this Saratoga card, but the G1 Fourstardave should reinvigorate racing fans later in the day. It wouldn’t be the first time that Fourstardave Day was affected by rain, as several of my more familiar readers will remember with varying levels of frustration.

Saratoga Analysis: Friday, August 21, 2020

This is a very interesting Saratoga card on a beautiful Long Island Friday. It’s nice to be back home, despite the fact that I’m missing my lead staff writer. I’m sure my readers will be happy to hear that my exhaustive, time-consuming analysis is back in full force.

Saratoga Analysis: Thursday, August 20, 2020

For this Thursday card at Saratoga, I’m once again going with what I’m calling “streamlined analysis,” because “skimpy analysis” is a little effeminate. Tomorrow, I’ll be back in my home base in New York, and full analysis will return. However, I do believe that this is a viable alternative for solid analysis in a rush. I’ll leave it to readers to decide.

Saratoga Analysis: Wednesday, August 19, 2020

For this Wednesday card at Saratoga, I’ll be providing a streamlined analysis. The first reason for that is because this card is a little light and doesn’t really need too much depth.

Saratoga Analysis: Sunday, August 16, 2020

This is a very solid Sunday card at Saratoga, and while we’ll try to make some money on it, no one’s talking about a bunch of claimers right now. The result of yesterday’s Alabama Stakes is what’s on my mind.

Saratoga Analysis: Saturday, August 15, 2020

Man, it’s been a weird couple of days at Saratoga, but we persevere and turn the page to an excellent Saturday card. Bruce Brown and Chad Brown have won the same amount of races this week, which is really indicative of the silliness I’ve had to put up with. How does someone account for the fact that every trainer seems to have a live horse? Such is the challenge at Saratoga, but I’ve never had more fun in my life, even in crushing defeat.