2025-05-02 - BBI

on this year's race. There could be more news, but right now we know this that Mike Roppoli, the guy who through the years has had some really tough luck. He had Uncle Moe back in twenty twenty twelve, had to scratch at Forte, the favorite a couple of years ago we did a one on one interview with him

prior to the race, had to scratch. And now the veterinarians, the track veterinarians have scratched this year's Mike Ropoli horse Grande and Ripoli's stable released and this is through Rapoli obviously a statement saying the horse has been battling a slight cracked heel this week has been improving. Todd Pletcher had the horse x rayed on Monday, clean, they said. Wednesday, the state vets asked if they could do a pet scan and Grande had that yesterday. Apparently it was clean.

Rapoli reports that the horse has been training and looking great on the track all week, said the heel has been improving and was improved again improved in this morning, but the vets came in and said they were scratching the horse despite the clean diagnostics, and Ripoli rites were very confused and all the clean diagnostics and improvement all week had them really optimistic. They calls it a rush to judgment. He said, with a race being tomorrow by Aza,

already is drawn on into the race. And Rapoli said, we're shocked and confused why this decision was made now, And he says we were given no real explanation why the horse was scratched thirty six hours before the race. He goes on to say, we love these horses. Our number one concern is safety and welfare and that should always be the priority. But he said, you know, we've

taken all these tests. We have a great Hall of Fame trainer and Todd Pletcher and Raapoli said, we're baffled and confused by what criteria the vets are using to determine who scratches. So Rapoli out of the race again and guess what that was the only Todd Pletcher horse. And that means Todd Pletcher will not be in the Kentucky Derby for the first time in twenty one years. Can you have a Derby without Pletcher? He has started sixty five Derby horses, Rapoli, by the way, over eight,

Pletcher sixty five. He finally won one with street sense. He sends one another. But Pletcher is the record holder for most Derby starters and it was supposed to be a possibility this year. Well, they're all possible. I shouldn't say that some can't win it, but it's a lot. We're a lot better off in terms of information now since the points system began, and their horses running who belong in the race, whereas back in the day there are horses that did not belong in the race. So anyhow, yeah,

that's the news from the backside. And by the way, I had seen where Kenny McPeak was keeping an eye on his horse and this is a rendered judgment. But as I go to air, as I pre record this, there had been no decision made about rendered judgment, but that could change by tomorrow morning. It may have changed by now by the time you hear this. But we've

seen horses scratch on Derby Day. The most famous in my mind, APND back in the nineties, a prohibitive favorite, and he had a bruised hoof and went on to win the Preakness and a Belmont as one of the best horses ever, but never got a shot at the Derby. But that happens. That's horse racing. So yeah, keep your eye on the innerweb for updated info. And if you're a better a gambler, I know you will be on top of things. Hope you have a big Derby Day.

And again we'll talk with Doubs Anderson coming up after the break. But there is some news to share with you. You heard about UK playing Saint John's in the CBS Classic coming up this Christmas time, Kentucky Purdue in rep Ana in a preseason game on October the twenty fourth, an exhibition game, and a lot of way too soon Posters have Purdue the top team in the country, so Mark Pope gets a chance to see what he's got in an exhibition with one of the best teams in America.

And I know you've heard Pop talk about this, but he wants more college games period. He wants a forty game regular season. I don't know that that'll ever happen, but you may see more exhibitions like that. And keep in mind that same weekend is UK Tennessee at Kroger Field, so you could have a lot of fun in October. Kentucky Purdue basketball Friday, Kentucky Tennessee football on Saturday. And keep in mind that Saturday is the last day of

the keenland Fall Meet. There's some major news coming out of the NBA, and that is that pop is stepping down as head coach of the Santencenios. Greg Popovich will no longer be the head coach, but he will transition to full time team president. Already in the Hall of Fame NBA is all time winning. His coach led to Spurs to five championships. But I guess he'll be the guy probably who appoints his successor along with the owners.

But Pap is stepping down, and he's a guy who made the most of the talent that he had in San Antonio, and now somebody else will inherit one Biyana and some of the other young guys they have. And while we're talking coaching, if you follow the NBA at all, you know the Lakers have been eliminated all kinds of criticism of the head coach JJ Reddick. He's been a little bit combative, and why not, you know, I mean, if guys are coming after you, you can bark back.

I don't mind that. But the word is already in that he has the support of Lebron James and Luka Donsig. People talk about how Lebron is the guy who hires and fires coaches. Well, if that's true, this is huge for JJ Reddick, even though they just lost in the first round again four to one to the Minnesota Timberwolves. But interestingly, one of the comments that Reddick made after the loss was that the Lakers quote must get into

championship shape. He said, I'll start with the off season and work that's required in an off season to be in championship shape. So we have a ways to go. As a roster so they'll be making changes. But if you're a Lakers fan, you know he didn't single out anybody in particular. But one of the knocks on Luca coming out of Dallas, primarily by people trying to support the decision to trade him, was it he never got

in shape. Struggle with weight and conditioning and late game execus cushion was one way Minnesota dominated the Lakers in the fourth quarter alone. Minnesota outscored LA one twenty seven to eighty five over those five games. So he might be thinking Luca, but not saying Luca. You can't knock Lebron. We know that he spends millions on his body. Luca might want to try doing the same if he cares

that much. Who knows. All right, coming up next, we're going to talk about the Derby, gets some picks, get some betting decisions from Dubbs Anderson a fandual TV. Then at six forty five we'll step out of the way for Darren Heddrick. The wildcatch are taken on Mississippi State down in Stark, Vegas, Mississippi State. Remember now has just fired as coach, so you don't know what you're gonna

get when the Bulldogs take the field. Maybe they're relieved, maybe they're upset, maybe they're distracted, who knows, but they've only won seven conference games in Kentucky right now. Looks like a team that's not only in the nca Tournament. But if it keeps winning at the same clip that it is now, maybe not every game, but if it keeps finding the success it's had, could be a three seed and maybe even a two seed in the nca tournament. Everybody gets in the SEC tournament right now, you've got

to be thinking NCAAA. So big games start tonight. We'll have that for you coming up right here. Doubs Anderson next, and then Kentucky Baseball right here on your home for UK Sports, your number one spot for sports in fact, six point thirty WLAP Welcome back to the Big Blue Insider A joined now by a member of the fan dual Racing Talent. He is a racing analyst and a sports betting host, Dubbs Anderson. Dobbs, thanks for joining us.

of to paint the picture. You know, I've got the best shop of the world covering racing betting on the day we hear from Los Angeles in the States, but back in Australia, racing is up there with you know,

domestic football, so cricket. It's just sort of part of the culture and you know, ultimately, I think for the great game of horse racing, we need to try and get some of the young eyeballs back out there into the track and certainly back and getting a part of the big race days, which we always get on Kentucky

Derby Day. It's a monster. Everyone knows the Derby, but some of the other big days sprinkle around that they'd be the best part because trust me, I cover all sports and nothing is as exciting as you know, playing the Ponies.

They come over the Derby week, they're all out there at Churchill Down, so's it truly is a massive deal. And I guess you know some of the big names that we'll discussed. You know, you're Bob Baffers, He's a household name here, he's an icon.

from are parts of the world. They want to win on the biggest stage and this is as big as he gets. At Churchill Down.

the chalk began to show up more and more. You can still get a decent price on a favorite, but can you tell me, have you figured out yet how you'd like to maybe with some exotics, maybe try to beat the chalk or make some money on Derby Day.

You could have played it for a dollar three hundred and twenty thousand dollars on return there. Now Rich Strike a bit of an outlivee but if you look in the last five years, the favorite tag gone missing, and now the big storyline for this year is journalism is the horse to beat. West Coast Warrior coming in from Michael McCarty and the team and look on paper visually

impressive four wins. We saw it in the seam Phelipe was tested in the sin Anita Derby now goes over to church or its looks fantastic in the paddic has the pedigree, has the price take? What could go wrong?

trouble throughout the race amongst a much smaller field. Now you look at SAT Day, one hundred and fifty thousand people are going to be out there on track. It's a lot noisier, there's a lot of commotion.

the two Baffit runners. Rodriguez has been as scratch. So with Rodriguez not going, Citizen Ball likely with that inside starting spot will go forward. And not to be forgotten about. This is a massive redemption spot for Bob Bafford, been suspended for three years. The Citizen Ball, the two year old champ who was best of my journalism last out. Don't knock on its chances. I don't know if we were really dialed up for a big one then Bob

Baffett he wants to make a statement on return. I think Citizen Bulls certainly will be that early pace set up could be right in the stick of it as they turned for home. But as you highlighted, it's you know, every horse is going to have to overcome a bit of adversity. They're going to have to have that fitness, that attrition, and you know, as we see time and time again, the good race horses, they've got characters, the gun personality, and they're really gonna have to dig in

and show a little something white. You know, we had that fantastic finish last year. It was Mystic Dan. It could have gone to Pierraly on it could have gone to foreby young that were right there, and I expected to be another close one the ship.

but the mornings are even better, I think. Uh. But as any any horse jumped out at you in terms of what you've seen taking to the track, because that track has has some quirks to it.

this would be a great spot. And this is a runner that you know storms onto the scene winning that holy ball and then didn't have it in the Fountain of the Youth and you know a lot of pundents jump ship, but we finally saw it in the Bluegrass figured out and I think if there's been any standout for me, Burnham Square this week has looks very impressive and you know, certainly not going to lose anything on

the connection side. Yet you hear from me and Wilson, this is a horse that's actually going to appreciate that stretch out and distance to a mile and a quarter, a distance where you know a volk of the field untested at, untried at. So to hear that from the connections, Burnham Square twelfth to one on the morning line, I think is absolutely going to be there right and the fig of it, and you know, for our regular horse players,

well aware of pace makes the rice. But when we do get a lot of early speed signed up, there's always that chance that they could potentially take each other out of the rice and could open things up for that big charge down the lane that we saw from a rich strike. Well watch out for Burnham Square who can do that and watch out for a couple of the outside runners in Sovereignty and Standman. I think they're going to be seeing a bit more play on Rice Day.

year anniversary. Not that we're just going to back off a bit of a hunch play, but Laksaw Cafe has won four races in a row, has beaten at My Daytona, the other Japanese horses Stuns right alongside. It's Joe Marrera, the magic Man who's dominated the Southern hemisphere from Hong Kong to back in Australia, and he's going to be

aboard for the ride. And this is a cult that if you just go off the litmus test from what we have seen how these past races, there's something really special here now for Lasaw Cafe has one going left handers, there's also one going right handers. So just having that versatility and really that's finished. If whattsall Cafe can just navigate a middle of the pack run, I think it's absolutely live to get a big score here on Saturday.

So I think Lasaw Cafe could be still sitdn't there double digits come kick off, and I think the time is now that the Japanese finally have their time out at Churchill Downs. I just think it's a polished look and race horse. And I don't think we've seen the same buzz that we saw from Forever Young this time last year. Why, I really couldn't tell you. I guess the numbers. You know, it's tough trying to stack up these international runners to what we have here in the States.

But I think Lasaw Cafe is just still sneaking under the radar a bit.

There's a lot of distractions and for Laksaw Cafe really hasn't put a foot wrong. So I've seen nothing but green lights. And you know, I'm probably the biggest champion for some of these Japanese race horses at my Daytona, you know, right next door to lap Stoor Cafe is not how the picture either. We highlighted some of the

other ways that you can play the Kentucky Derby. If you're building a trifecta or a super effected teamicket to the top four, I think you've got to be looking to have at least both of these runners on some of those tickets.

but we may have a cavalry charge once again. Down the stretch. Do you see it that way?

bet is. You know, we want to identify the best race horse in every race and who's ultimately going to win, and journalism is the is the top choice, and I absolutely agree with why. But they have three year olds. You know, for some of these horses, they're just making start number four or five into their early careers. So we're not so much looking for what we have seen today.

But for me, I'm trying to bank on that potential next step that if we can peek, if we can get that best performance and a bit more improvement come the Kentucky Derby, watch out, and you know, I guess that there's another runner that there will be sitting at a big price for Steve Acterson in publisher, who's yet to win a race. But if you look at the speed figures like we look at player ratings and some other sports has improved with each and every start gets

one of the best jockeys in the world. I rad or tease aboard, so watch out. It's been a while since we've had a maiden win the Kentucky Derby, but a horsepoke published out very similar to a mage and you know, I guess mister Dent trending at the right time and that's what you want to see.

But Arkansas Derby strong form line. You look at who uh Samman b publisher came out of that race whole battle, who continues to shop and give him massive effort on every occasion. So Man's life the only knock. And I believe this is right that the seventeen post is yet to produce a winner of the Kentucky Derby, the five gates unbelievable, seventeen yet to see a winner. So maybe this is the year and it's gonna happen eventually, just like the Japanese runners. Eventually they have that time.

pick four, picks five players. I think the three year old pick three is going to be a doozy on game day, So it's gonna be a great afternoon of sports, sports betting. I just I think this one is absolutely prime to see a couple of big prices. I'm happy to be wrong and put the hand up. If journalism gets it done, you know, so be it. I didn't have that three to one ticket in the pocket, but I just feel like it's going to be a wide open afternoon for the one hundred and fifty first running.

UK baseball next year. On six point thirty wlap tact the shop then to take that stat the contemptuous story bos