Derby '82: Ain't Life Grand?

Before the sun sets on Churchill Downs tonight the world will know what none of the racing experts or bettors have been able to figure out yet: who the winner of the 1982 Kentucky Derby is.

So far the racing season has experienced two surges and plunges, one in the early spring, and one in the past couple of weeks. The top prospects for a really good Derby have mostly fallen by the wayside, knocked out of contention by racing injuries or plain hard luck, the curse of the thoroughbred industry.

Boston fans no longer have their hometown horse to watch this afternoon. Timely Writer, the Filene's Basement bargain colt owned and raced by two area meat merchants, came under the knife himself last week. An operation for an inflamed intestine saved the winter dazzler from an un-Timely death, but it also placed him on the sidelines for today's race. Trainer Dominic Imprescia, who dressed to match the pink flamingos at Hialeah for the Florida Derby, will be wearing black during the Run for the Roses.

Other early favorites have fallen victim to exhausting seasons. Star Gallant, the colt unbeaten in his career until Timely Writer nailed him in the Florida Derby, has dropped out of the picture. Hostage is being held by a fractured sesamoid bone. Distinctive Pro and Deputy Minister, two class horses from the 1980 yearling crop, have also been felled by racing injuries. Before Dawn, this year's top filly, said goodnight a long time ago, leaving the Genuine Risk school of fans without a favorite.

Among the leftovers there is still enough four-legged talent to prevent this from going down in racing history as the Default Derby. The early line has El Baba favored to win, even though the winner of the Louisiana Derby has never before been considered a top Kentucky prospect. Cassaleria, the monocle-wearing star from the West Coast, has a fairly large following, as does Muttering.

My own inclination is to go with Wood Memorial winner Air Forbes Won, and not just because of the name. With two Derby winners in his immediate family--Bold Forbes and Northern Dancer--Air Forbes Won has the pedigree. And for history's sake. Pleasant Colony, who went two-for-three in the Triple Crown last year, also won the Wood in his final prep for the Derby. Add to these assets the fact that Air Forbes Won has both his eyes, all his teeth, and four sound legs as of this writing.

Some say to watch the California horses, but those are the people who are going to be boozing it up on the infield all afternoon. The hot tip from the Connecticut panhandle is that "all the good horses are hurt--everything's up in the air." Finally, for those who plan to place bets around Cambridge. Wayne Meisel says Secretariat has a good chance.