Moments before last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, I tried to make a deal with Lady Luck. Let one of my choices win, I pleaded with her, and I will give you the credit, rather than hoarding all the glory myself. A reasonable request, I thought, and one I was confident the kind Lady would grant.

I was wrong. Instead of celebrating a victory by West Side Bernie or Dunkirk, two of my primary contenders in the big race, Lady Luck gave me the “Bird” by allowing Mine That Bird, a 50-1 miracle, to find clear sailing along Churchill Downs’ golden rail and capture the roses.

Me? I was left explaining the result — with more “uhms” and “aahs” than a kindergarten play — to stunned friends and relatives, who had gathered at my home in anticipation of a Derby Day party. Oh, and I had to cancel my dinner plans as well — who needs steak and lobster when Wendy’s has a perfectly good dollar menu to order from, I reasoned with my wife.

My better half is a lot like Lady Luck; she gave me the bird too.

O Canada

In wake of Mine That Bird’s stunning upset in the 135th Kentucky Derby, I’ve heard folks chastise the “experts” (in handicapping parlance, the word “expert” should always be put in quotes to indicate both incredulity and contempt) for failing to give the Birdstone colt credit for his Canadian form. After all, these folks argue, Mine That Bird was a champion north of the border, having earned a Sovereign Award as the country’s top juvenile male in 2008. (The Sovereign Award is Canada’s equivalent of the Eclipse Award).

Come on; let’s get real. Prior to this year, the last Canadian juvenile champion to wear the roses was Sunny’s Halo in 1983 — and he was the 5-2 second choice at Churchill Downs following resounding victories in both the Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn — not Sunland — Park.

Need for Speed?

Although Maverick and Goose may disagree, it seems the need for speed — or at least the need for competitive Beyer figures — may be a thing of the past in today’s Thoroughbred racing world. In addition to Mine That Bird, who came to Kentucky sporting a career-best 81 Beyer — the lowest for a Derby winner since Andrew Beyer’s beloved figs first appeared in the Daily Racing Form in 1992 — Miss Isella also spit in the face of the speed gurus last weekend. The Silver Charm filly won the Grade II Louisville on Oaks Day despite a lifetime-best Beyer that was 7-10 lengths inferior to the second- and third-place finishers in that contest. Her regular rider? You’ll never guess — Calvin Borel.

Scorewithcater Tops Peter Pan

And speaking of bad Beyers (see above), take a look at Scorewithcater in Saturday’s Grade II Peter Pan at Belmont Park. Although he’s 10-1 on the morning line, the son of Even the Score has beaten Mine That Bird twice at Sunland Park. The first time was in the Borderland Derby, where Scorewithcater rallied five wide and caught the Derby winner in the shadow of the wire to win by a neck. Then, on March 29, the two rivals were caught necking again, as Scorewithcater finished third, a few cervical vertebrae ahead of Mine That Bird, who checked in fourth.

I think the Doug O’Neill trainee could form a nice exacta partnership with Charitable Man, who ran reasonably well in the Blue Grass Stakes — his first start since a major knee injury last year.

For more analysis of the Peter Pan, as well as other weekend races, be sure to listen to the latest Simon Says podcast.