Super Saver x Under Armour

Although hats are all the rage during the Kentucky Derby weekend, most of the popular ones are not of the fitted variety. That changed this past weekend when a horse named Super Saver won the “race for the roses”. WinStar Farm owners and the horse’s trainer sported the hat bearing the name of their colt in interviews leading up to the race on Saturday afternoon and then of course in the winner’s circle which made them a popular souvenir.

The hats were produced by Under Armour and according to CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell, had sold out on the WinStar Farm website as of yesterday.

The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown happens on May 15 in Baltimore. One would assume that Under Armour would be ready to ship more hats should Super Saver come up with another victory.

Down The Stretch They Come

Now for something I know nothing about...horse racing. Bolstered by today's spirited twitter discussion of Derby Horses that could be named after Seinfeld quotes I decided that it would be good to cover the fastest two minutes in sport - Kentucky Derby.

The biggest day in horse racing is this weekend. The Kentucky Derby. It is a sporting event that not many people would put on top of their bucket list as an event to see live, but with 155 000 folks (most with big hats and smashed on mint jullip) it is quite the party at Churchill Downs.

Horse racing is a lot like boxing, you need a heavyweight or in this case a triple crown threat to gain popularity. Without a triple crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 horse racing lives on the "almost". The "almost" is a horse that might have what it takes to win the three biggest races. This year that dream died even before the Derby gates opened as Eskendereya was scratched last week. That means the odds on favourite to win the roses this year is "Looking at Lucky". So if you want to play it safe, that is where you put your money on Saturday.

Like most people who bet on horse racing once a year know, you never bet on the favourite - you can't win enough money. So you choose the horse with the best name!
Here are the Sandwich Shoppe revised best bets (please don't bet on these horses and if you do, you can't blame me);

Super Saver (12-1): Who doesn't like to save especially in these challenging economic times.
Discreetly Mine (25-1): Sure, why not? Mrs. MMMMBLT liked the name.
Homeboykris (40-1): Because I am gangsta
Sidney's Candy (4-1): The other Sidney is going to win a second Stanley Cup and the Olympic title in the same year, so why not go with it.

For the full Kentucky Derby odds you should visit here.

Thursday Thoughts

After taking the NFL Draft weekend off, my batteries are charged and ready to produce again...

Some quick thoughts on a Thursday;

1. A-Roid did PEDs during high school? Really, who cares now? He has admitted to taking them during his days as a Texas Ranger, so why does it matter if he took them before, all we want to know if has taken them since, including his miraculous recovery from hip surgery.

2. The Nuggets are into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1994! That was the year they upset the Sonics (remember them?) on the back of Dikembe Mutumbo. The match-up vs. the Mavs in round 2 looks good, since the Nuggets went 4-0 vs. Dallas during the season.

3. Zach Greinke looks like this year's version of Cliff Lee. He will probably rob Roy Halladay of another Cy Young. Where would Doc be listed on the all time greats if he could have finished this season with three trophies?

4. Kentucky Derby is coming and the favorite is a horse named "I Want Revenge", even if he wasn't the favorite, how could you not bet on him?

5. NBA is the new NHL. Some violent acts over the past week in the NBA playoffs. Between Rajon Rondo smacking Brad Miller across the face at the end of the game, while Miller was going for the game winning lay-up or Dwight Howard throwing a round-house elbow to the head of Samuel Dalembert it was reminiscent of playoff hockey. Good show boys!