Derby Horses

Expert Picks

John Asher

After covering his first Kentucky Derby as a radio journalist in 1982, John Asher has not missed the “Run for the Roses” since that debut.  He joined Churchill Downs in 1997 as a publicist and racing analyst, and moved to his current role as vice president of Racing Communications two years later.  Before his arrival at Churchill Downs, Asher earned five media Eclipse Awards for Outstanding National Radio Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing at Louisville radio stations WHAS and WAVG.  He served as Churchill Downs’ on-air TV host and analyst when the track was honored with the inaugural “National Simulcast Award” in 1997.

Derby

  1. Union Rags
  2. Creative Cause
  3. Take Charge Indy
  4. Daddy Nose Best
  5. Went The Day Well
  6. Dullahan
  7. Prospective
  8. Hansen
  9. Bodemeister
  10. I'll Have Another

Oaks

  1. On Fire Baby
  2. And Why Not
  3. Grace Hall
  4. Summer Applause
  5. Believe You Can
  6. Karlovy Vary
  7. Amie's Dini
  8. Eden's Moon
  9. Broadway's Alibi
  10. Jemima's Pearl

Jill Byrne

Jill is the Director of On Air Communications and official handicapper at Churchill Downs. She is a regular contributor to HRTV's racing programs, Pursuit of the Crown and Pursuit of the Cup and along with her on-air skills and top-notch racing analysis, Byrne is an accomplished horsewoman who worked in the development of 1997 Horse of the Year and juvenile champion Favorite Trick and Countess Diana, that year’s champion 2-year-old filly. She was also involved in the campaign of Awesome Again who defeated 1997 Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Silver Charm to win the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Churchill Downs in 1998.

Derby

  1. I'll Have Another
  2. Union Rags
  3. Gemologist
  4. Take Charge Indy
  5. Creative Cause
  6. Daddy Nose Best
  7. Bodemeister
  8. Dullahan
  9. Went The Day Well
  10. Sabercat

Oaks

  1. Eden's Moon
  2. Grace Hall
  3. Broadway's Alibi
  4. Believe You Can
  5. On Fire Baby
  6. And Why Not
  7. Summer Applause
  8. Jemima's Pearl
  9. Karlovy Vary
  10. Hard Not To Like

Ed DeRosa

Ed DeRosa is director of marketing for Brisnet.com, the official data source of the Kentucky Derby and TwinSpires.com. Ed joined Brisnet.com in July 2011 following nine years as a writer and editor with Thoroughbred Times. He grew up in Cleveland and learned to love horse racing while going to Thistledown with his grandfather. Ed is a diehard Indians fan, leaving him to wonder which--if either--will come first: A Triple Crown winner or an Indians world championship. Ed's favorite horses are Real Quiet, Ghostzapper, and Rachel Alexandra.

Derby

  1. Hansen
  2. I'll Have Another
  3. Creative Cause
  4. Take Charge Indy
  5. Union Rags
  6. Rousing Sermon
  7. Went The Day Well
  8. Sabercat
  9. Prospective
  10. Trinniberg

Oaks

  1. Believe You Can
  2. Broadway's Alibi
  3. Summer Applause
  4. On Fire Baby
  5. Grace Hall
  6. Eden's Moon
  7. Jemima's Pearl
  8. Amie's Dini
  9. Karlovy Vary
  10. Hard Not To Like

James Scully

James Scully is editor of the Handicapper’s Edge and Bloodstock Journal daily newsletters at brisnet.com and was a panelist on the “Breeders’ Cup Handicapping Summit” at Churchill Downs in 2010. A lifelong University of Kentucky fan, James attended his first Kentucky Derby in 1981 (Pleasant Colony).

Derby

  1. I'll Have Another
  2. Creative Cause
  3. Union Rags
  4. Hansen
  5. Gemologist
  6. Bodemeister
  7. Daddy Nose Best
  8. Dullahan
  9. Alpha
  10. Take Charge Indy

Oaks

  1. Believe You Can
  2. Summer Applause
  3. Grace Hall
  4. And Why Not
  5. On Fire Baby
  6. Jemima's Pearl
  7. Karlovy Vary
  8. Eden's Moon
  9. Broadway's Alibi
  10. Hard Not To Like

Caroline Kamer

Horses have always been an instrumental part of Caroline’s life. She has had a passion for riding since she was five years old and has won two World’s Championship titles. Caroline instantly fell in love with horse racing when she locked her eyes on the striking gunmetal gray Kentucky Derby winner, Silver Charm. Since that moment she has become an avid horse racing fan that has a true respect for the Thoroughbred horse. Caroline currently holds the position of Brand Development & Marketing Coordinator at Churchill Downs Race Track.

Derby

  1. Union Rags
  2. Gemologist
  3. Dullahan
  4. I'll Have Another
  5. Creative Cause
  6. Hansen
  7. Daddy Nose Best
  8. Take Charge Indy
  9. Bodemeister
  10. Alpha

Oaks

  1. On Fire Baby
  2. Broadway's Alibi
  3. Grace Hall
  4. Eden's Moon
  5. And Why Not
  6. Believe You Can
  7. Hard Not To Like
  8. Amie's Dini
  9. Jemima's Pearl
  10. Summer Applause

Merv Huber

Merv Huber joined Churchill Downs in 2005 as part of the communications team and currently holds the title of Brand Development & Licensing Manager. An avid handicapper, Merv became captivated by Thoroughbred racing in 1997 after attending a Kentucky Derby Party and selecting the race winner, Silver Charm. At the age of 13, Merv won the Road to the Roses Fantasy Challenge, besting over 13,000 handicappers in the nationwide contest. Before moving into the Churchill Downs general offices, Merv spent four years working in the stables for several top racing outfits. He now appears regularly alongside one of his mentors, Jill Byrne, on the Churchill Downs Today handicapping show and provides selections in the Churchill Downs raceday program.

Derby

  1. Gemologist
  2. Dullahan
  3. Creative Cause
  4. Union Rags
  5. Bodemeister
  6. Daddy Nose Best
  7. I'll Have Another
  8. Hansen
  9. Daddy Long Legs
  10. Take Charge Indy

Oaks

  1. On Fire Baby
  2. Broadway's Alibi
  3. Grace Hall
  4. Eden's Moon
  5. Summer Applause
  6. Believe You Can
  7. Karlovy Vary
  8. Oaks Lily
  9. Amie's Dini
  10. And Why Not

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