Bob Ehalt and Tom Pedulla turned quick buddies once they met on their first day at Fordham Preparatory College within the Bronx, N.Y., in 1970. Bob quickly launched Tom to the thrill of Thoroughbred racing.
They’ve endured some tough moments on the monitor, with Tom taking exception when Bob repeatedly smacks him on the again with a program as one in every of their horses launches an all-out drive. A lot to Tom’s chagrin and the amusement of onlookers, Bob has been identified to name for safety as he proceeds to money a $27 triple.
They’ve owned a lot of horses collectively and have been a part of the group that owned 1998 Whitney runner-up Story of the Cat. They’re typically seen carrying on as in the event that they by no means left their teenage years.
Right here is their tackle Saturday’s $5 million Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve :
PEDULLA: Bob, I regarded arduous for a longshot to upset the 150th Derby and can’t provide you with one. As you already know, tempo makes the race and I feel this one might be a scorcher with Dornoch breaking from the rail like a rocket for Luis Saez with erratic 2-year-old champion Fierceness and John Velazquez additionally forwardly positioned. I consider this can present the proper set-up for deep nearer Sierra Leone. The $2.3 million yearling, a son of 2017 Horse of the Yr Gun Runner, has been spectacular in sweeping his solely two begins this yr, the Risen Star and the Blue Grass Stakes. He’s all class and can give coach Chad Brown and jockey Tyler Gaffalione their first Derby wins.
EHALT: Thomas, they are saying nice minds assume alike. Then there’s us. I’m with you on the Sierra Leone bandwagon. There needs to be a vigorous tempo, which bodes effectively for his late kick. The priority, for me, is that he might get squeezed again in the beginning and lose a ton of floor. Nonetheless, I feel he’ll have sufficient time and assistance on the entrance finish to get there and provides Chad Brown his preliminary Kentucky Derby win – if he can maintain up beneath the burden of two well-known anchors referred to as Tom and Bob.
PEDULLA: Honor Marie took a pleasant step ahead from a fifth-place end within the Risen Star to a runner-up effort to Catching Freedom within the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby. One other ahead transfer offers him a giant shot. He has been coaching sharply at Churchill Downs, a monitor he relishes. He made his first three begins there and was by no means worse than second. His victories beneath the Twin Spires embody the Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes to shut an auspicious juvenile marketing campaign. He’s as helpful as they arrive, an incredible asset in a 20-horse Derby.
EHALT: To me, it’s a two-horse race between Sierra Leone and Fierceness. I feel Fierceness has to bounce a bit off an enormous race and with just a few different speedsters within the race which will meet up with him within the remaining furlong. I wouldn’t not be shocked if he wins, however I’m going to fit him in for second and use him in my exotics. Being from Queens, I’ve to play a Mike Repole horse. Proper?
PEDULLA: Bob, we each know Japan will win the Derby sooner slightly than later. However I don’t see Perpetually Younger because the one. Sure, he’s 5-for-5 however UAE Derby runners are 0-for-19 in Louisville. Perpetually Younger’s coach has admitted that journey from Japan to Saudi Arabia was arduous on his horse. I can not assume Perpetually Younger might be at his greatest in his bid to make historical past.
EHALT: I’ve been excessive on the Japanese horses the previous few years and have been dissatisfied. As a lot as you understand how clever and grounded I’m, I could be thick-headed at instances. There’s no manner I can change my considering on backing a international runner with an unbeaten Japanese horse within the subject who simply may symbolize the nation’s greatest probability to win the run for the roses. I’ve penciled in Perpetually Younger for third.
PEDULLA: I’m going to be daring and dismiss Fierceness. Previous performances recommend that this colt that possesses brilliance is due for the third clunker of his profession. He’ll give option to rallying Louisiana Derby winner Catching Freedom, one more nearer that advantages from the anticipated torrid tempo.
EHALT: I have no idea how he defies “Father Time,” however on the age of 88 coach D. Wayne Lukas is having an incredible yr. His horses have been on hearth as his 2024 win fee of 15% is the best since 2002 and his 46% within the cash is the most effective since 1997 – whenever you have been cruising round city considering you have been scorching stuff in your 20-year-old Pinto. Simply Metal turned in an excellent effort to complete second within the Arkansas Derby and the way in which “The Coach” will get his horses match, I anticipate one other massive displaying from the 3-year-old. I’ve slotted him fourth right here and might be making good use of him in my exotics. As a lot as I consider this might be a chalk-filled Derby, I want a value horse someplace within the combine.
