Post handicapper Debbie Little hit the jackpot Saturday when she nailed 50-1 shot Giacomo in the 131st Kentucky Derby.
What a difference a Derby makes!
When I gave out Fusaichi Pegasus in The Post in 2000 it was just another selection. But when my pick, 50-1 Giacomo, hit the wire first in Saturday’s Run for the Roses, it was more than I bargained for.
Besides congratulations from friends and coworkers, there have been many phone calls from strangers, thanking me for helping them win thousands of dollars.
For all those who want to know how I tabbed Giacomo, it was simple (ha!), here goes.
While waiting for the Derby draw Wednesday, I realized I didn’t like any of the likely favorites. I threw out Bellamy Road because I figured he would bounce off his incredible performance in the Wood. I was thinking about Afleet Alex, Bandini and High Fly, but I wasn’t crazy about any of them. I started going through the past performances again and suddenly I saw Giacomo.
He just jumped off the page. He had good and consistent Beyer Speed figs. In seven career starts he was only off the board twice. The most recent was the Santa Anita Derby, in which he closed well to be fourth, only beaten two lengths.
As a 2-year-old, he was only beaten a length in the Hollywood Futurity by Declans Moon, who was the early Derby favorite until an injury ended his shot. Giacomo also was a victim of troubled trips, but post 10 and regular jockey Mike Smith’s Derby experience figured to change that.
I bet Giacomo ($102.60) to win, but couldn’t get my exotic combinations home for the monster score. Oh well, there’s always next year.
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Post staff picks
ED FOUNTAINE
Bellamy Road, Sun King, Noble Causeway
RAY KERRISON
Sun King, Afleet Alex, Bellamy Road
JOHN DaSILVA
Afleet Alex, High Fly, Bandini
VIC CANGIALOSI
Wilko, Bellamy Road, Bandini
GREG GALLO
Sun King, Alfeet Alex, Wilko
BILL SMITH
Noble Causeway, Bellamy Road, Sun King
ANTHONY AFFRUNTI
Afleet Alex, Flower Alley, Wilko
DEBBIE LITTLE
Giacomo, High Fly, Bellamy Road
DICK KLAYMAN
High Fly, Noble Causeway, Afleet Alex
BATTMAN
Bellamy Road, Bandini, Closing Argument
From Saturday’s Post
