(Loren Hebel-Osborne and Speaker David Osborne)

Editor’s Note:

Currently, my great friend and ally — Loren Hebel-Osborne — has several of the toughest jobs in the Commonwealth. The former Churchill Downs executive, who worked on the Visa Triple Crown Series a few years ago, is now a full-time horse-mom; a full-time premium sports package promoter; and a full-full-full time first mate to Kentucky Speaker of the House David Osborne.

One of those jobs would be a hand-full. The combo is a career-full.

But still, my friend finds time to handicap a few races and always find the TV or racetrack when it comes to some of the biggest races of the year.

Here’s her thoughts on this year’s 149th Kentucky Derby:

“While it’s still early for me, and I can flip my picks when I see the walk-over, I think I am going to bet against the favorite.

“I’m not going to knock on the horse because I would change places with anyone who has a horse good enough to be in the Derby.  I think it’s going to be Brad Cox year – and in my estimation even the Oaks/Derby Double. 

“On top I’m putting Angel of Empire; I loved his confident win in the Arkansas Derby and he just looks like a very happy horse at Churchill.  He trains very professionally and is handling the chaos with aplomb and … I do think I was able to fix my lipstick in the reflection that was coming off the shine of his coat. 

“Hitting the board, I think, will be Two Phils – another happy horse that’s on the muscle and shows great energy while still being classy and handling the backside crowds. Two Phils romped in the Jeff Ruby Steaks and was standing in the Winner’s Circle with his chest puffed out.  He continues to stop and pose for the camera so perhaps he could upset and get the most famous win picture of all!

“My longshot is Sun Thunder – seems to be blossoming since arriving in Kentucky and reminds me so much of McPeek’s Tejano Run who just missed behind Thunder Gulch.  Sentimentally Sun Thunder has a great owner in Dr. Ramon Tallaj and I’m hoping he gets the answer to his prayer on Saturday.”