Guinness good for Kentucky Derby contender

Jim Jones,

Published Friday, May 1, 2009, 12:37 PM

Updated Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 12:14 PM

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Musket Man

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Irish trainer Derek Ryan believes he has the key to success to his horse Musket Man winning the Kentucky Derby.

A pint of Guinness for the horse.

He puts it in his feed after every morning workout . "We do it in Ireland a lot -- a lot of Irish trainers do it, especially after a race to help get them back on food as fast as you can," Ryan told a local New Jersey newspaper .

"It gives them a good appetite. You can give them carrots, but they're for rabbits, I think." Ryan knows well that Ireland’s greatest horse ever, Arkle, is said to have thrived on two pints of Guinness a day at his peak .

Ryan, who hails from Tipperary and is based at Monmouth Park, will be making his first visit to the big show when he saddles Musket Man on Saturday around 5.30.

The horse has a real chance. He has won five races out of six including, two key Kentucky Derby preps, the Illinois Derby and the Tampa Bay Derby. If he was trained by Bob Baffert or Todd Pletcher he’d be 10/1 or less. As it is he’s 20/1.

He is not drawn well in post 2, but it may not prove to be the worst drawback in a field that looks loaded with speed, and will tear into the first corner. Musket Man might get the shortest way round behind a quick piece, which will suit him completely.

Pick him over I Want Revenge and Dunkirk as the first three. And pour yourself a pint and one for Musket Man too if you’re right!