The 135th Kentucky Deby, The Talamo Incident, Twitter

Imagine the thrill!
 
Just twenty-four hours away from the 135'th running of America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby and I've already been to the winners circle.
 
On Filly Friday before the scent of fry-ed bacon even had a chance to pierce the morning air I received a email forwarded from my Twitter account.
 
Now I must admit I'm not much for Twitter (I like the idea of posting my thought-gasims but hate competing with the likes of Barack Obama and CNN's own Rick Sanchez for air space) [These guys, Obama and Sanchez specifically already have a bully pulpit to exploit, don't they get enough air time already?]{I must admit here in print that despite my sour grapes Sanchez was the reason I signed up for Twitter in the first place. Obama however has, at least to this point managed to stay off my "following" list} 
 
The message in my in-box on Friday morning wasn't a hot tip, late scratch or even a piece of the official barrage. No, instead it was a message from Twitter notifying me that wonder-kid Jockey Joe Talamo was now following me on Twitter.
 
Honoured
 
Under normal circumstances I would have tipped my hat to the young mister Talamo and tried to finesse a little more conversation out of the usually quite Cajun superstar.
 
These however were hardly normal circumstances... ...19 year-old Joe Talamo a native of Marrero, Louisiana will be aboard likely co-favourite I Want Revenge when the Jeff Mullins trainee pulls into the starting gate for Saturday's Kentucky Derby. Talamo a soft spoken veteran of just two season will be poised to become one of (if not the) youngest Jockey ever to capture the elusive run for the roses.
 
It's common place for every beat writer, derby blogger and play at home handicapper to pin their bragging right on the silks of some derby hopeful just hours before the big race in an attempt to stroke thier massive egos. For me however the thrill of picking this years winner will be overshadowed by my personal brush with greatness (now known as the Talamo incident) No matter who wins and more specifically weather I picked them will be wholly irrelevant.
 
2009 Kentucky Derby...Thanks to Joe Talamo for a memory that will last a life time... and oh yeah, by the way break a leg kid
 
Zoltan Black
 
It would not be right if I didn't at least nibble
 
Thanks to Jockey Joe Talamo I'm not looking to pick a winner, just cash a cheque. With that being said her are a few long-shots the might just make it the exotics.
 
MINE THAT BIRD 50/1
REGAL RANSOM 30/1
DESERT PARTY 15/1
 
 
Mine That Bird -- Stellar pedigree -- Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr may be a rookie Kentucky Derby trainer but the forty-five year-old has been in the game for over twenty-five years so don't count this guy out -- Mine That Bird benefits from the defections of speed-balls Quality Road and The Pamplemousse who were expected to contest the Derby's early fractions, instead look for Mine That Bird and Regal Ransom to do battle on the front end -- Look for Mine That Bird at odds of 50/1 or higher
 
Regal Ransom -- I like this ones chances for the same reasons as the above mentioned competitor (Mine That Bird) Speed is Ransom's game and he will relish viaing for the early lead -- Unlike Mine That Bird , Regal Ransom need not worry about his trainers level of experience, he is trained by the entirely competent Saeed bin Suroor -- Because Regal Ransom will be amongst the Derby's early leaders his odds are likely to slip as we get closer to post time -- Look for Regal Ransom at odds of 15/1 or better 
 
Desert Party -- From the same connections as Regal Ransom, Desert Party has gotten the better of his stablemate on two occasions but failed to pass his fellow Godolphin acquisition in thier most recent outing the U.A.E. Derby -- Desert Party has displayed an ability to stay close to the lead and an affinity for striking when the irons hot (in the stretch) -- Although the distance may be a question mark for the son of Street Cry a game effort following a less then stellar performance as the odds on choice in the U.A.E. Derby should be expected -- The way this one's looked track-side all week it's a surprise to see such generous odds -- Look for Desert Party at odds of 15/1 or higher
 
Go ahead nibble, just a little bit, but make sure your save enough cookies for the rest of this years Churchill meet