Beyer

[Tony]

Eagerly awaiting Beyer Derby pick from online chat tommorrow. Is he due or as usual will it be the kiss of death.

[kev]

He might even pick SM, being his high fig.

[kev]

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.
 

[flushedstraight]

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.

 

[JJP]

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.