Staff Derby picks

May 3, 2008

MARK BLAUDSCHUN
1. Colonel John. Monster race to win Santa Anita Derby and monster workout on dirt at Churchill Downs make him the shaky choice.

2. Pyro. Forget the Blue Grass. He didn't like the track. And he's won at Churchill.

3. Monba. Pletcher is the best trainer never to have won the Derby. Monba could change that.

JOE SULLIVAN
1. Recapturetheglory. Was the surprise winner of the Illinois Derby and 3-year-olds can sometimes pair up big efforts.

2. Monba. A similar theme. His victory in the Blue Grass Stakes was his best effort to date and he'll follow it up with another.

3. Pyro. He's too good not to rebound from a bad race in the Blue Grass.