Kentucky Derby 2012: Creative Cause Is Still the Best Underdog Pick

Creative Cause has been kept hidden under a shroud of mystery all week, but it's a strategic ploy on the part of trainer Mike Harrington rather than a cover-up for an injury.

Creative Cause has been stowed away in a barn as the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby creeps closer, prompting some to wonder whether he'll be a late scratch for the race. But no—Harrington is just trying to keep him out of the spotlight and eliminate any potential distractions.

Doesn't the underdog always win? 

While other owners and trainers wax poetic about the fact that their horses haven't been talked about enough or respected enough, Harrington is keeping quiet, and rightfully so. Creative Cause's resume speaks for itself.

Creative Cause will start from post position No. 8 and currently has 12-1 odds to win, but in eight career races, the colt has never failed to win money, and he's never been beaten by more than a length. In a field where no horse is decisively dominant—every single one of them is described with at least one caveat—this one could very well be the secret assassin.

Harrington, who represents a fourth generation of horse trainers, began working as a teenager, became a veterinarian and then reentered the world of training for good 20 years ago.

He and Creative Cause have had plenty of experience squaring off against the Derby competition. They beat odds-on favorite Bodemeister in the San Felipe Stakes. They lost by a nose to I'll Have Another in the Santa Anita Derby but beat him last year in the Best Pal Stakes. In the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, they finished in third place behind Hansen and Union Rags, both of whom have higher odds to win it all on Saturday.

Harrington has seen what Creative Cause can do against the Derby competition, and he believes it's good enough to win.

Harrington told the Associated Press:  

"

He falls under the radar, which I like. I don’t want him to be the favorite, I don’t want everybody talking about him. Everybody should be talking about Bodemeister, although my horse outrun him. Everybody should be talking about I’ll Have Another, although I outrun him also. Those three horses have traded punches, so who knows?  

"

Harrington will let the trainers duke it out for the adoration of the public. He'd rather concentrate on getting his horse ready for a win.