Everyone betting the Derby MUST understand track conditions for today. It looks like the rain is about to set in on Louisville and there will be an off track. Understand the following to help you make your picks:

MUDDY track is basically what it says MUD, very tiring track and usually takes its toll on front running horses which sets it up for the closers.

SLOPPY track is where there is so much water on the track that the MUD has dissipitated (sp) into a mud soup and the horses basically step all the way down thru the mud soup to the track base, which usually favors speed horses.

Both track conditions are tough on the Jockeys and it could come down to a Jockeys race in that the 8 plus pair of goggles that some Jockeys will be trying to pull down during the race plus all the traffic makes it tough. Something to consider when betting Smokin Joe Talamo on the outside Sidneys Candy. 21 years old, was scheduled to ride the Derby Favorite in I Like Revenge last year but the horse came up lame Derby morning, One of the BEST up and coming riders in the country if NOT THE BEST, but 21 outside post won't get the lead, wide trip around the first turn, wont never see the rail so wide around the third and forth turns, mud flying, who knows. This is what makes horse racing so interesting because not always does the best horse win.