137th Running of the Kentucky Derby [VIDEO]

The annual Kentucky Derby will be held this Saturday, May 7th, 2011, marking the 137th anniversary of the "run for the roses." Post positions are expected to be announced this afternoon between 5 and 6pm Eastern time.  23 colts have been fighting for one of 20 spots in this year's field, but the big name runners will be Uncle Mo and Dialed In.

If you follow horse racing, you know that the top money earning horses in graded stakes races will earn a spot.  Uncle Mo, a favorite going into this year's derby, has the top spot.  This colt won the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year.  Dialed In won both the Holy Bull Stakes and this Spring's Florida Derby and, is this year's top money earner.

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For most people, you don't have to be a horse enthuasist (like myself) or know much about racing to enjoy the spirit and excitement the racetrack/betting brings.  Some people have a knack for picking horses because they either like the name of the horse, the jockey or they heard the trainer isn't half bad.  Others pick certain horses based on how they look in the paddock or let's be honest -- the color of the jockey's silks.

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CBS's "60 Minutes" did a recent story on one race horse, Zenyatta -- 2011 Horse of the Year.  You might remember her from the last few years of racing.  She was 2009 and 2010 Horse of the Year runner-up to Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, respectively.  She retired in November 2010 with 19 wins in a 20-race career.   Zenyatta never raced in the Kentucky Derby as a three-year old because her trainer, John Shirreffs, felt she was too immature at the time.  Zenyatta finally (and unfortunately) lost by a nose in the Breeders' Cup Classic, but only by a nose.

Here's the story.  I'm sure you will find it both interesting and touching.  As a horse person, I must say she is quite an exquisite animal.

Do you like horse racing and the racetrack?  If so, what is you strategy to picking horses?