The Kentucky Derby kicks off Triple Crown Season in less than 10 days. I for one am already stirring up emotion that will culminate with Early Times mint juleps and a triumphant return to my friendly neighborhood OTB next weekend.

Weeks back, conversation was mounting about the prospect of a horse called Radiohead, trained by household name (to the degenerate gambler dads in said households) Rick Dutrow, running in the Derby. Radiohead fell flat in his recent performance – like if Thom Yorke replaced Flea with the bassist from Spandau Ballet for his performance at Coachella – and he’s out. Instead, Dutrow is going with Homeboykris.

From Vegas Sports Odds:

Homeboykris would be a stunning upset for this year in 2010 Kentucky Derby betting odds as he opened as a 60-1 longshot at online sportsbooks to win this year’s Run for the Roses but has gained more value and is now at 35-1. So far this year as a three year old Homeboykris has two starts with one place and total earnings of $14,000. Last year as a two year old Homeboykris had four starts with two wins and total earnings of $260,000. It is that performance as a two year old that has Homeboykris listed as a bona fide Kentucky Derby contender.

60-1 doesn’t exactly bestow confidence (maybe in the most reckless addicted gambler dads), however, come Derby Day, Homeboykris will have the backing of at least one known winner. Joe Torre owns a stake in the colt and was down in Louisville on Wednesday to watch HBK work six furlongs on the track.

Homeboykris is actually on the bubble for the race at the moment. He’s ranked 20th in the money out of the twenty horses slated to race next Saturday, with the potential that he could be bumped from the list if Devil May Care is entered in the Derby instead of the Kentucky Oaks. Tense.

So, Los Angeles Dodgers fans, when you see Torre in the dugout looking a little addled.

Know that it’s even odds that he’s thinking about Garrett Anderson’s slow start or Homeboykris’ Derby status.

I’m in the Uproxx Pool of Awesome. The Intentional Foul pool. A pool at work. Another pool that a buddy just invited me too. Plus, I refrained from entering two others. Here’s the hitch: one bracket though – only smart way to do it, right?

At 12:20 today – with the tip of BYU vs. Florida – you’re officially out of time. I want to hear how invested everyone got this year. Let me know how many pools you’re in (leave a comment or shoot me an @ reply).

Anyone who entered more than ten pools gets a signed B/W 8 X 10 photo of me eating the bacon explosion – after I win it in the IF pool.

Pictured above, that’s my 2010 NCAA Champ pick.

UPDATE: This might be the worst bracket I have ever filled out. And not going to lie there have been some real dogs in the past. (Friday, Mar. 19 2:41 pm ET)

Photo via

Easily the best performance in recent times by an athlete with a truly unfortunate name. University of Kentucky guard, Jodie Meeks, dropped 54 points last night, going 10-15 from behind the arc, to lead the Wildcats to a 90-72 victory over Tennessee.

Jodie as in Jodie, the name for females. Meeks as in meek – or docile, submissive, milquetoast. Or Meeks, as in Steven “me and Meeksy are working on a hi-fi system” Meeks from Dead Poets Society.

Frankly, the name Sheryl Miller sounds tougher to me, but there’s no denying that this guy got it done. Check out the highlights:

(c/o Sports by Brooks)

Here are 12 movies screening at Sundance that you should know about (via Pop Candy)
Darius Miles Stuffs Himself (Blaze of Love)
The Most Important Conversation Ever…Continued (Sharapova’s Thigh)
Sblog Tweets Promotes Sports Bloggers Content (The World According to MoonDog)
KSK Suicide Pools: And Then There Was One (Kissing Suzy Kolber)
Scott Pioli Takes the Chiefs GM Job (Barstool Sports)
Snowboarder Owned By Table (Phil Knows Best)
Seattle: Where Banging Your Students Is Totally Kosher (Brahsome)
Kate Hudson’s ass is still talking to me (on205th Magazine)
Giants’ Fans Unleash Verbal Abuse On Eagles’ Fans (Busted Coverage)