(Epicenter / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

By Gene McLean — “The Pressbox” Lead Handicapper:

All “Derby Day” races have been handicapped, and the link can be found on the “Handicapping Page.”

12th: 3/1-8/15-13-19-16/9-10-12-6-5/18-11-7-4/2-14-17-20…G1 Kentucky Derby…The world’s greatest horse race will be held for the 148th time. Amazing race. Amazing place. And, the glamour of the sport and the pageantry will match every long and beautiful stride. I will go Epicenter (3) as the horse to beat and I will key all my exotics in and around this most wonderful 3YO son of Not This Time. I was a skeptic on this guy until the G2 Louisiana Derby. In that event, the world’s best rider was able to get this talented runner to back off the lead a touch and settle into a nice running position in the stalking position. The horse — for the first time — showed that he could be versatile and save his best run for the best time of the race. In the stretch. Since that win, Epicenter has simply gotten better and stronger. His works have been well-time and spotted. His muscles and color have gotten bigger and brighter. He has all the right ingredients to make a KY Derby winner and give both his HOF trainer and HOF person/owner their first Derby wins. Mo Donegal (1) was amazing in the G2 Wood Memorial. Better than what it looked like on TV and paper. And, it looked pretty darn good on and in both of those mediums, as well. This guy can motor, and can make up huge amounts of ground late in the proceedings. He looks to be the best “closer” in the entire field. Class act. Charge It (8) is a 3YO son of Tapit and a late-developer. Did not race as a 2YO, and we all know that the odds are against that happening = Derby winner. But? This one is rare and exciting talent. May have won the Florida Derby if not for an unfortunate incident at the gate when he rammed the device leaving for the start. Tough to ever overcome that scenario. And, he still ran huge. Looks the part and has some nice odds. White Abarrio (15) is beautiful and comes off a win in the G1 Florida Derby — which has become the premier prep for the Derby. Has 4 wins in 5 starts lifetime and the only loss came in a troubled trip at Churchill Downs in the KY Jockey Club last November. That was a much-better-than-looks 3rd. Don’t dismiss. I am not. Simplification (13) ran huge to win the G2 Fountain of Youth. For some odd reason, the rider decided to get in a speed duel in the Florida Derby. Head scratcher. If he just takes back and sits a bit chilly? Could have won that one. And? May win this one. At huge odds. Zozos (19) ran huge in the G2 Louisiana Derby after winning two in a row to start the 2022 season. Another who didn’t run as a 2YO. But if this guy improves at all from the last race? Chance. At huge odds, too. Cyberknife (16) is a stablemate of Zozos, and the popular public choice in the Brad Cox barn. Won the G1 Arkansas Derby in style. Could improve and do the same here. But sometimes he lets his emotions get in the way of a good time. A “use” for me, but I like some others. I bet the 3 across the board and then I key the 3 over/under the 1-8-15-13-19-16 in the exactas. I will box the 1-8-15-13-19-16 in a small exacta, too. I will key the 3 in all three spots in the trifecta with the same numbers, as well. And, I will key the 3 in all four spots in the superfecta with the same numbers, again.