Kentucky Derby 2013: Unheralded Horses Gaining Buzz

We know by now that the Kentucky Derby can be a rather unpredictable race, especially considering we generally see less from a horse in a calendar year these days.

That's why being a "favorite" in the Derby doesn't hold as much water as it once did. There are so many factors involved, ranging from a horse's pedigree to his workload to his pedigree. 

Some unheralded horses have picked up steam in recent days. If you are looking for dark-horse candidates in the 2013 Kentucky Derby, you should probably look at these horses.

Normandy Invasion

Normandy Invasion may be the horse that is generating the most buzz among the dark horses this year. He roared back at the Wood Memorial Stakes on April 6 and he's looked very good in training.

J.J. Hysell of the Louisville Courier-Journal and In The Money blog wrote, via Forbes.com:

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Normandy Invasion, in post position five at 12-1, has looked stellar in morning gallops and was so keen on Thursday that he ran off with his exercise rider. He’s improved with jockey Javier Castellano, who said Wednesday he likes the post position.

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Bill Finley of ESPN.com, who picked Normandy Invasion to win the Kentucky Derby back in November, echoed Hysell's sentiments, writing, "Normandy Invasion still looks like a horse that is only going to get better."

Castellano should like Normandy Invasion's post position. The position has produced 12 winners at the Derby since 1900 (tied for the most among all post positions).

Itsmyluckyday

First off, Itsmyluckyday is in a historically favorable position. There have been 10 winners at the No. 8 post position at the Derby since 1900.

Secondly, the fact that the horse has taken on a modest work load in 2013 is actually encouraging. Itsmyluckyday has two wins in three races this year, and in the other race he finished second. The extra rest figures to help him in the grueling 1 1/4 miles.

Ed DeRosa, director of marketing for Brisnet.com, said, via the Forbes.com report:  

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Itsmyluckyday’s prep race in the Holy Bull in January is good enough to win the Kentucky Derby, and his post position is ideal to make a move on the far turn. He’ll take control from Goldencents at the eighth pole, and his best race allows him to hold off Revolutionary and Orb late.

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Palace Malice

Palace Malice has posted five top-three finishes in six career starts, including a Maiden victory in August 2012.

But, despite placing second at the Blue Grass Stakes, owner Cot Campbell was uncomfortable with the way the colt had been racing. He's decided to put blinders on Palace Malice for the first time in the horse's career and some think it will pay major dividends.

Campbell said, via the Augusta Chronicle:

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We thought he was looking around some in his races at the Fair Grounds and then, in the Blue Grass Stakes, he noticed the starting gate’s tire tracks and changed leads as he crossed them.

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Hysell noted, "Palace Malice has turned a corner with the addition of blinkers." 

Seth Merrow, publisher of Equidaily.com and handicapper for Capitol OTB, also thought Palace Malice had potential, per the Forbes.com report. So did Brian Nadeau, handicapper at Horseplayer Now and Brooklyn Backstretch.