The Kentucky Derby is just 5 weeks away which means this must be prep season.  Today is the running of the Grade 1, million dollar, mile and an eighth Florida Derby (a race THE ARBITER missed, sadly enogh, back in the year 2000 when he was unjustly imprisoned in the Broward County jail - a story for another time).  When I pick a horse I look for early speed and a big heart and the best place to find those qualities is in the name.  Forget about the Beyer speed figures or the Tomlinson numbers; it's all in the name.  So forget about Elysium Fields, whose owner must be nearly as dim as poor Michelle Wie's father (see THE ARBITER'S thoughts of yesterday).

Elysium, you see, is from Greek Mythology and is the abode of the blessed after death and is also referred to as Elysian (as in pertaining to Elysium) Fields.  Saying Elysium Fields is like saying Belgium waffles and only a moron (to use one of Rocky Balboa's favorite words) would saddle (I can't resist) his animal with such an unfortunate name.

Also forget about the other favorite, Big Brown.  I mean Big Brown?  You've got to be kidding?  And forget about pretty much all the others.  The only two names with any merit are Da' Tara and Hey Byrn and if the latter added an "e" THE ARBITER would surely select him, as in Hey (Gabriel) Byrne you sure were great in Miller's Crossing, but since spelling does count in life I must instead choose Da' Tara, as in Da' Tara was da' best plantation in the da' south before Tecumseh Sherman burned it down.  

Therefore, THE ARBITER says place it all on Da' Tara, trained by Nicky Zito ridden by Joey Bravo, a 20-1 morning long-shot.  You're sure to make a bundle.

They're at post.  And they're off!