The Competitor's Edge; a look between the ears...

For 14 years, I’ve provided performance analysis for the Kentucky Derby — not just by evaluating what these horses do, but by exploring how and why they do it. This year, I’m thrilled to introduce something entirely new — built from decades of research and a lifetime of observation.

Welcome to The Competitor’s Edge — a boutique-style Visual Handicapping Scouting Report that takes you inside the mind of the athlete, delivering insight that lives between the ears.

This is where instinct meets analysis. Where the psychological athlete takes center stage. Where we reveal how performance, is driven by emotion…

🐎 A deeper look between the ears than ever before: Introducing the 'Herd Dynamic Competitive Hierarchy' -

This year marks a bold evolution in the evaluation of the Derby contenders — with the debut of a naturally revealing new concept: the Herd Dynamic Competitive Hierarchy.

This proprietary structure blends the natural herd order of horses with the unique psychological idiosyncrasies of the individual. It’s a one-of-a-kind snapshot of how the Bachelor Herd breaks down — viewed through the lens of Mother Nature herself.

Mother Nature’s Competitive Order — Interpreted for the Modern Race

In every race, beyond speed figures and past performances, there exists an invisible structure — a natural sorting process shaped by instinct, emotion, and psychological presence. The Herd Dynamic Competitive Hierarchy (HDCH) reflects this timeless order, drawn from the way horses would position themselves within a bachelor herd, where competitive success is determined by emotional control and herd influence, not raw speed.

This is nature’s lens, held by human hands. While the core rankings are rooted in a horse’s inherent psychology — sensory soundness, stress tolerance, and herd dynamic expression — human factors like training, equipment choices, jockey tactics, and race conditions layer in unpredictable nuance. These influences can either amplify a horse’s natural strengths or expose hidden vulnerabilities.

What we offer is a projection of psychological performance potential — a map of how these contenders are wired to handle the mental demands of competition, before the chaos of race-day variables unfold. Understanding who a horse is, not just how fast they are, gives you the ultimate edge when blending instinct with strategy.

In a world obsessed with speed figures and past performances, there’s an unseen force shaping every race — psychology. The Herd Dynamic Competitive Hierarchy (HDCH) offers a glimpse into Mother Nature’s playbook, revealing how horses instinctively sort themselves based on emotional control and competitive presence; this is nature’s lens, held by human hands...

So what does that mean for you?

It means you’re no longer looking at horses in isolation. You’re seeing how their emotional intelligence, sensory soundness, and herd role interact with both their environment and each other — on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

It’s deeply intuitive, rooted in my evolutionary journey studying equine behavior and the psychology of performance, and designed to complement traditional handicapping figures.

Whether you’re a seasoned horseplayer or someone who simply loves understanding the deeper “why” of the horse — this is your access point.

🔍 Sneak Peek at What’s Inside the Scouting Report?

Each Competitor’s Edge profile includes:

• Visual Handicapping Breakdown – Analysis of the horse’s emotional response patterns, competitive drive, and behavioral tendencies

• Sensory Soundness Overview – How clearly and efficiently the horse processes stimulus — under pressure, at race speed

• Herd Dynamic Competitive Hierarchy Placement – Where the horse psychologically fits within the competitive herd, and why it matters

• “Between the Ears” Summary – Our signature insight into the athlete’s internal world. This isn’t just personality — it’s performance potentia

• Forward-Looking Projections – Not predictions, but perspectives — intuitive context to pair with your own wagering strategy

Horses do not run on paper; they write their own stories... and they compete fueled by the adrenaline of pure emotion.

📚 New Tools for Deeper Understanding

With this launch comes a brand-new Foundational Glossary — a living language of equine psychology that underwrites every report. You’ll see familiar terms like Herd Dynamics both IHD & GHD and new ones like Sensory Soundness, Cushion and Psychological Pace Index — grounded in years of behavioral observation and real-world case studies.

Glossary link here à Frequently used Terms | Sensory Soundness

We’ve also updated our Thoroughbred Services to reflect how far this work extends — from sales evaluations to off-track transitions. Visit à Thoroughbred | Sensory Soundness

Did you know? The vast majority of my work is done through video analysis, across all disciplines including these Kentucky Derby Profiles all through the years. It’s not just cost-effective — it’s a powerful lens for studying subtle behavior patterns, emotional stress, and instinctive tendencies.

As I recently explained to someone new to my work:

“There’s structure, and there’s infrastructure. One holds the horse together — the other brings it to life. I study that.”

📍Where & When to Find The Competitor’s Edge

I’m proud to share that this year’s Kentucky Derby scouting report will be available through Brisnet, in partnership with TwinSpires.

I plan to offer The Competitor’s Edge for the Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well. Additional select race days will follow throughout the year, including the Breeder’s Cup with a special Breeders’ Cup package likely.

👉 Got a race you’d like me to cover — U.S. or international? Send me a message. I’m listening and open to suggestions as it is my goal to grow this product, and I will need your help!

Because every report is created by me personally, this offering is boutique by nature. It’s not something that can — or should — be mass-produced. We cannot machine emotion.

📈 Looking Ahead: Our Vision

This launch is just the beginning. I have a long-range vision in mind!

The Three-Phase Evolution of The Edge

Phase One – The Competitor’s Edge Visual Handicapping Reports for psychological race-day profiling.

Phase Two – The Competitive Edge A broader, subscription-based database of performance psychology and sensory profiles across disciplines. Built for owners, riders, and trainers seeking insight for training, management, and development.

Phase Three – The Breeder’s Edge A pioneering tool for strategic breeding decisions. These behavioral genetic evaluations help identify compatibility and project herd dynamic potential in future offspring — designed for breeders focused on producing emotionally sound, sustainable athletes.

As this unique platform evolves, it aims to reshape how we evaluate, manage, and connect with equine talent — from racetrack to breeding shed.

 We remain open to partnerships and collaborative conversations —  but I am fully committed to staying boutique, authentic, and always horse-first.

🎓 Learn More, Go Deeper

The Competitor’s Edge pairs beautifully with our Visual Handicapping Educational Module, available through the Institute for Advanced Equine Studies. If you’re ready to deepen your understanding of the emotional athlete — this is your starting gate à Classes & webinars | Sensory Soundness

We also continue to offer Herd Dynamic Performance Evaluations for sport horse disciplines in conjunction with our expanded Thoroughbred Services to meet a wider range of needs. à Herd Dynamic Profiling | Sensory Soundness

🌟 Personal Note & Invitation

This work has always been personal for me, having dedicated myself to discovering and sharing the whole story — not just what the horse does, but who the horse is. Herd dynamics matter for every horse, in every discipline, from everywhere.

Yes, pedigree matters for sure as do speed figures and analytics, the value in these is obvious. But I also believe that we should never undervalue the underwriter of performance: the operating system running the machine.

If “who” the horse is didn’t matter, every aspect of the equine industry — from breeding to training — would be much more an exact science. But it’s not. Because horses aren’t machines. They’re emotional athletes, with internal narratives that impact every external effort, right down to their relationship with us. We must bridge the gap between the natural herd dynamic, and the domesticated world. I believe we do that through blending the art of horsemanship with the science of nature. This is a personal pursuit that I share with you.

I don’t look in the rearview mirror. I look ahead. And I invite you to walk alongside me — not to follow, but to see with fresh eyes and adopt a view from the hoof.

👉 Become a subscriber on our website to get race analysis and schedule updates, product releases, and exclusive educational tools. Stay curious. Stay connected.

And finally — while I won’t be at Churchill Downs this year, I’ll be honored to serve as a featured guest presenter at the United States Eventing Association’s Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Championships in Aiken, SC (May 2–4).

I’ll be cheering for the Derby athletes — both horse and human — from afar.

 **The Competitor’s Edge: Kentucky Derby 2025 Scouting Report drops Derby weeks after the draw on Brisnet. We will also have the link available on this website too.

Share this post. Follow the journey. And remember…

"It’s boutique. It’s bold. It’s between the ears." --> Competitors Edge | Sensory Soundness

A special note of appreciation goes out to our new strategic partners at NOVOSTABLE for supporting innovation in equine health, performance, and welfare.

Pioneers in advanced monitoring solutions, NOVOSTABLE is transforming how we understand horse behavior through their cutting-edge Smart Box technology—designed to deliver proactive care and management via intelligent, camera-based systems.

 Discover more at www.novostable.com.

I appreciate you being here and for your support. Thank you for sharing the journey with me as we expedition through fascinating mind of the horse. ~ Kerry