Far from the coast

Elsewhere in the blogosphere, it's all Saratoga, all the time. Other members of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance have been focusing on the Graveyard of Champions, but here at the Castle, we eagerly await the announcements of the entries for Saturday's Grade III West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer.

It's been a long wait; unlike practically every race at Saratoga, there's been no advance coverage of the race -- except sad announcements of horses that won't be running.

First, we hoped for Sweetnorthernsaint; when he skipped the Belmont, it was reported that he was pointing to either the Haskell or the WV Derby. Then came the news that he would be resting until fall.

Next, we heard that the top three finishers in the Ohio Derby might be headed to Chester The three -- Deputy Glitters, High Cotton, and Flashy Bull -- had already shown a willingness to run at a midwestern track, so when little embers of expectation began to kindle in the cockles of my heart, well, I let them.

Then came the news that two of the three are now headed to the Haskell. (Darn that New Jersey track with its big money!)

At the moment, the only "certain" runner is a Dale Romans horse, Bright One.

Last year's event drew some pretty impressive jockeys; Gary Stevens, Edgar Prado, Mark Guidry and P-Val all made the trip to the Mountain. Whether jockeys of that calibre will be in West Virginia this Sunday is hard to say, what with that darn million dollar race stealing all the horses.

Still, no matter who ends up coming, the Derby might be a nice wagering opportunity; after all, last year's winner went off at 7-1. Don't remember just who won the 2005 WV Derby? Take a peak back at my post from last year, where I revealed for the first time my penchant for standing on picnic tables. (Or read a more complete coverage of the day -- sans picnic tables -- in The Daily Racing Form's archives.)