Eagerly awaiting Beyer Derby pick from online chat tommorrow. Is he due or as usual will it be the kiss of death.
He might even pick SM, being his high fig.
This from Beyer:
\"Sinister Minister to be a force in Derby\"
By ANDREW BEYER
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The prep races for 3-year-olds this spring have produced numerous solid contenders for the Kentucky Derby. Most handicappers agree on the merits of Brother Derek, who has won four straight stakes in California; Lawyer Ron, winner of six in a row; the undefeated Barbaro; and the Maryland-based Sweetnorthernsaint, runaway winner of the Illinois Derby.
Yet none of these colts has ever given a performance like Sinister Minister, whose front-running 12 3/4-length victory in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland was simply astonishing.
I imagine Beyer is still somewhat disgusted with himself over not having War Emblem and sees SM as a chance at some kind of redemption given the similarity of \"longshot\" status & huge fig.
He\'s neither \"due\" nor the kiss of death... just another good guy with inferior figures trying to beat one of the great challenges with a selection he can live with. Okay, he\'s also a damn good writer.
I\'m interested to know what price on SM he expects/demands if it is his selection.
Nowhere in his column does Beyer say he\'s going to bet Sinister Minister, or even that he\'s his top choice. He just says he\'ll be a major factor due to his running style, and even if he runs dead last, he\'ll leave an impact. If I had to guess, I would say Beyer will take Sweetnorthernsaint.