Chocolate Candy: The Horse to Win at the Kentucky Derby

I just can't get over the facts about Chocolate Candy, the horse I think just might win the Kentucky Derby. My blog today is not about chocolate, that sweet food. If you'd like to make chocolate candy for the Kentucky Derby tomorrow, make some Chocolate Bourbon Balls in Chocolate Candy's honor.

Reasons Chocolate Candy will win:

1. Who doesn't love chocolate candy?
2. He's owned by weight-loss magnate Jenny Craig (and we know she loves chocolate)
3. He's trained in my home town and swept both of Golden Gate's major Kentucky Derby prep races

And five horse sense reasons given by Bill Reed reported Special to the San Francisco Chronicle.

1. Instead of sticking with Russell Baze, who rode him in both his Golden Gate Fields victories, Hollendorfer has opted for Derby veteran Smith, who won the roses with the longshot Giacomo in 2005 and has finished second three times in his 15 Derby rides since 1984. In two Derby rides, Baze finished 13th and 14th.

2. His pedigree indicates he'll like the Derby's mile and a quarter, which is an eighth of a mile farther than any of the contenders has won. His sire, Candy Ride, won the Pacific Classic and his dam, Crownette, is a daughter of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.

3. His race in the Santa Anita Derby was huge. Former jockey great Gary Stevens, who did the TV commentary for NBC, said he would have upset Pioneerof The Nile if the pace hadn't been so slow.

4. There's a slight chance it'll rain on Friday and Saturday, and, says assistant trainer Galen May, "He just loves the mud. I hope it does rain."

5. Hollendorfer, who is headquartered in Northern California, is always in the conversation, along with Bill Mott and Todd Pletcher, when the topic is "Best Trainer Who Has Never Won the Derby." He has never gotten to the starting gate with a horse as good as this one.

So my bet is on Chocolate Candy!