It’s Derby Time…
All Eyes on the Derby and Oaks But…
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
It’s Derby Time…
Who says Position Doesn’t Matter?
Yes it’s Derby Time…the highpoint of the spring. Millions of racing fans are talking about the recent loss of apparent Derby favorite, Eskendereya and the filly Devil May Care joining the boys for a run at the blanket of roses. But the real talk should be about the post position draw for the 2010 Derby.
The morning-line favorite at 3-1, Lookin At Lucky, drew post 1 for the May 1st event and the 5-1 second choice, Sidney’s Candy, the Santa Anita Derby (I) winner, drew the far outside 20 post.
This draw has implications that might just produce an astonishing payout for any of the wagering pools. Why? Post 1 and Post 5 have the most wins in the Kentucky Derby, Post 1 hasn’t produced a winner since Ferdinand in 1986 and the last winner from post 5 was Funny Cide in 2003.
Sidney’s Candy will also be fighting history as only a pair of winners have come from the far outside post 20; the most notable was Big Brown in 2008.
So now the question is Lookin At Lucky, who will be sent out by three-time Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert, ridden by Garrett Gomez, who was last year’s champion 2-year-old male and won the Rebel Stakes…can he over come post 1?.
Sidney’s Candy, trained by John Sadler, is three for three this year while running on the front end. He has won the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes, the 1 1/16-miles San Felipe Stakes and the nine-furlong Santa Anita Derby, is now on the opposite end of the starting gate and the favorite. At least with post 20 you can see the racing that is inside of you.
With such an important race such as this…the best horse may not actually win the race due to starting position…but that’s just racing.
Here are the post positions and the number of wins since 1900:
|
POST |
WINNERS |
|
1 |
12 |
|
2 |
9 |
|
3 |
8 |
|
4 |
10 |
|
5 |
12 |
|
6 |
6 |
|
7 |
8 |
|
8 |
10 |
|
9 |
4 |
|
10 |
10 |
|
11 |
3 |
|
12 |
3 |
|
13 |
4 |
|
14 |
2 |
|
15 |
3 |
|
16 |
3 |
|
17 |
0 |
|
18 |
1 |
|
19 |
0 |
|
20 |
2 |
| The full field for the 2010 Kentucky Derby is below | |||
|
PP |
Horse |
A/S |
Jockey |
Trainer |
M/L |
| 1 | Lookin At Lucky (KY) | 3/C | G K Gomez | B Baffert |
3/1 |
| 2 | Ice Box (KY) | 3/C | J Lezcano | N P Zito |
10/1 |
| 3 | Noble’s Promise (KY) | 3/C | W Martinez | K G McPeek |
12/1 |
| 4 | Super Saver (KY) | 3/C | C H Borel | T A Pletcher |
15/1 |
| 5 | Line of David (FL) | 3/C | R Bejarano | J W Sadler |
30/1 |
| 6 | Stately Victor (KY) | 3/C | A Garcia | M J Maker |
30/1 |
| 7 | American Lion (KY) | 3/C | D R Flores | E G Harty |
30/1 |
| 8 | Dean’s Kitten (KY) | 3/C | R Albarado | M J Maker |
50/1 |
| 9 | Make Music for Me (KY) | 3/C | J Rosario | A Barba |
50/1 |
| 10 | Paddy O’Prado (KY) | 3/C | K J Desormeaux | D L Romans |
20/1 |
| 11 | Devil May Care (KY) | 3/F | J R Velazquez | T A Pletcher |
10/1 |
| 12 | Conveyance (KY) | 3/C | M Garcia | B Baffert |
12/1 |
| 13 | Jackson Bend (FL) | 3/C | M E Smith | N P Zito |
15/1 |
| 14 | Mission Impazible (KY) | 3/C | R Maragh | T A Pletcher |
20/1 |
| 15 | Discreetly Mine (KY) | 3/C | J Castellano | T A Pletcher |
30/1 |
| 16 | Awesome Act (KY) | 3/C | J R Leparoux | J Noseda |
10/1 |
| 17 | Dublin (KY) | 3/C | T J Thompson | D W Lukas |
12/1 |
| 18 | Backtalk (FL) | 3/C | M Mena | T M Amoss |
50/1 |
| 19 | Homeboykris (MD) | 3/G | R A Dominguez | R E Dutrow, Jr. |
50/1 |
| 20 | Sidney’s Candy (KY) | 3/C | J Talamo | J W Sadler |
5/1 |
All Eyes on the Derby and Oaks But…
Don’t Overlook The La Troienne and Rachel Alexandra
While everyone is handicapping the Oaks and derby, don’t forget about the $400,000 La Troienne, a Grade 2 race at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares.
Rachel Alexandra, the reigning Horse of the Year and 2009 Oaks winner may overshadow even the tradition-rich Oaks itself when she returns to Churchill Downs to make her second start of the season in the La Troienne, which will be run as the sixth event on a 12-race Oaks program. Post time for the La Troienne is 1:26 p.m. Eastern.
Rachel Alexandra’s loss at the hands of Zardana in the New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds on March 13th put an end to the dream matchup between Rachel Alexandra and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Zenyatta, which had been scheduled to take place in the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park. But a big effort from Rachel Alexandra on Friday would undoubtedly rekindle interest in a potential confrontation between the sport’s two biggest stars.
Rachel Alexandra turned in one of the most memorable performances in the history of the Oaks when she strolled to a 20 1/4-length victory here one year ago for her former trainer Hal Wiggins. Rachel Alexandra was purchased privately by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and turned over to trainer Steve Asmussen shortly after the Oaks, and proceeded to win her next four starts – the Preakness, Mother Goose, Haskell, and Woodward – to complete an undefeated campaign that ended with Eclipse Awards as both the top 3-year-old filly and Horse of the Year.
Jockey Calvin Borel, who was aboard Rachel Alexandra for all eight of her wins last year, will again have the mount in the La Troienne.
Beating Rachel Alexandra the first time was a shocker. Doing it again over Rachel’s home course would prove to be almost as big of a surprise for the California-based Zardana, who has shipped to Kentucky to prove her win in the New Orleans Ladies was no fluke.
Trained by John Shirreffs, and therefore a stablemate of Zenyatta, Zardana won the Grade 2 Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park in her 2009 finale, and then finished fourth in the Grade 2 Santa Maria at Santa Anita in her start before the New Orleans Ladies. She earned a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure for her performance in the New Orleans Ladies.
Also in the La Troienne are Be Fair, who will add blinkers after finishing a tiring third behind Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom; Unrivaled Belle, winner of Gulfstream Park’s Grade 3 Rampart earlier this winter; the Grade 1-placed Morena; and the multiple-stakes-placed Distinctive Dixie. The full field is below:
|
PP |
Horse |
A/S |
Jockey |
Wgt |
Trainer |
M/L |
| 1 | Chocolate Candy (KY) | 4/C | R Bejarano | 118 | J Hollendorfer |
5/1 |
| 2 | Friesan Fire (KY) | 4/C | S Bridgmohan | 118 | S M Asmussen |
7/2 |
| 3 | Macho Again (FL) | 5/H | R Albarado | 118 | D Stewart |
5/1 |
| 4 | Cool Coal Man (KY) | 5/H | J Lezcano | 118 | N P Zito |
4/1 |
| 5 | Prom Shoes (KY) | 6/H | C H Borel | 118 | W H Fires |
30/1 |
| 6 | Bullsbay (KY) | 6/H | J Rose | 118 | H G Motion |
6/1 |
| 7 | Arson Squad (PA) | 7/G | P Lopez | 122 | R E Dutrow, Jr. |
3/1 |
| 8 | Flying Private (KY) | 4/C | T J Thompson | 118 | D W Lukas |
12/1 |
| 9 | Enriched (CA) | 5/G | J Rosario | 118 | D F O’Neill |
15/1 |
Everyone Can See This…
Blind Luck in The Oaks
The 2010 Kentucky Oaks looked like a close race when Devil May Care was a possibility, but with her defection to the Derby, this year’s edition now looks like a one horse race…or so it seems, however 13 other fillies will be testing the stand-out Blind Luck.
On paper, Blind Luck looks to be far and away the best horse, having already beaten five of the contenders, but a trio of underlings will test her. Crisp, Evening Jewel and Amen Hallelujah, who just lost to Devil May Care, last time out.
This race will be determined by the front running style of the trio versus the stalking pace of Blind Luck. With three front runners to overcome, the Oaks favorite has a bit of an uphill battle and three that want the lead.
Amen Hallelujah emerged as a major factor in the division this winter by winning the Grade 2 Santa Ynez at Santa Anita and the Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park. Crisp was good enough to defeat Blind Luck in the March 6 Santa Anita Oaks. Evening Jewel won the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland earlier this month.
Blind Luck boasts a record of 6-1-2 from nine starts, and has by far the most earnings in the field with $1,069,050 in the bank. Installed as the 6-5 morning line favorite and breaking from post 5 in the Oaks, Blind Luck is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, who co-owns her with Mark DeDomenico, John Carver, and Peter Abruzzo. Rafael Bejarano riding Blind Luck in the Oaks, in spite of the jockey being widely criticized for the filly’s only loss this year, a troubled third in the Santa Anita Oaks.
The full field for the Kentucky Oaks is below:
|
PP |
Horse |
A/S |
Jockey |
Wgt |
Trainer |
M/L |
| 1 | It’s Tea Time (KY) | 3/F | A Garcia | 121 | G R Arnold, II |
15/1 |
| 2 | Jody Slew (KY) | 3/F | M Mena | 121 | W B Calhoun |
30/1 |
| 3 | Quiet Temper (KY) | 3/F | R Albarado | 121 | D L Romans |
10/1 |
| 4 | Age of Humor (KY) | 3/F | R Maragh | 121 | M J Maker |
30/1 |
| 5 | Blind Luck (KY) | 3/F | R Bejarano | 121 | J Hollendorfer |
6/5 |
| 6 | Beautician (KY) | 3/F | A O Solis | 121 | K G McPeek |
15/1 |
| 7 | Crisp (KY) | 3/F | J Rosario | 121 | J W Sadler |
8/1 |
| 8 | Tidal Pool (KY) | 3/F | C H Borel | 121 | D W Lukas |
8/1 |
| 9 | Bella Diamante (KY) | 3/F | M E Smith | 121 | A Milligan |
30/1 |
| 10 | Champagne d’Oro (KY) | 3/F | M Garcia | 121 | E J Guillot |
30/1 |
| 11 | Evening Jewel (CA) | 3/F | K J Desormeaux | 121 | J M Cassidy |
10/1 |
| 12 | Ailalea (KY) | 3/F | J R Velazquez | 121 | T A Pletcher |
15/1 |
| 13 | Amen Hallelujah (FL) | 3/F | J R Leparoux | 121 | R E Dutrow, Jr. |
8/1 |
| 14 | Joanie’s Catch (FL) | 3/F | P Lopez | 121 | B R Rose |
30/1 |
The Devil You Say…Part II
Filly May Will Run Against the Boys
The filly Devil May Care, considered one of the leading contenders for the Kentucky Oaks on April 30th, is a go for the Kentucky Derby, as her trainer, Todd Pletcher, had Derby favorite Eskendereya pulled from the Derby due to a slight injury, thus allowing jockey John Velazquez to ride her.
Devil May Care, is coming off a convincing victory in the Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream Park on March 20th. She is 3-0-0 from five starts, including a win in the Frizette at Belmont as a 2-year-old. She has never raced against males.
Devil May Care will carry 121 pounds against the boys and will break from post number 11. The morning line odds on her are 10-1.
Thoroughbred Racing Action
Weekend Stakes Action
It’s all about the Derby and Oaks this weekend…oh wait we also have the La Troienne, the Humana Distaff, Woodford Reserve, the American Turf…and more. Watch these and more all on BetAmerica.com.
Friday – April 30
- Arlington Park: Bright Brian Starter, $11,500, 4&up, 5.5f.
- Churchill Downs: Kentucky Oaks – G1, $500,000, 3yo f, 9f.
- Churchill Downs: La Troienne BC Stakes – G2, $300,000, 3&up, f/m, 8.5f.
- Churchill Downs: American Turf Stakes – G2, $175,000, 3yo, 8.5f (turf).
- Churchill Downs: Alysheba Stakes – G3, $150,000, 3&up, 8.5f.
- Churchill Downs: Churchill Downs Turf Sprint – G3, $100,000, 3&up, 5f (turf).
- Churchill Downs: Kentucky Juvenile Stakes – G3, $100,000, 2yo, 5f.
- Evangeline Downs: Need for Speed Stakes, $50,000, 3&up, 5f.
Saturday – May 1
- Beulah Park: Babst/Palacios Memorial Handicap, $50,000, 3&up, 6f.
- Beulah Park: Alyssa Handicap, $12,000, 3&up, f/m, 6f.
- Calder Race Course: Sumter Stakes, $50,000, 3&up, 8.32f.
- Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby – G1, $2,000,000, 3yo, 10f.
- Churchill Downs: Woodford Reserve Turf Stakes – G1, $500,000, 3&up, 9f (turf).
- Churchill Downs: Humana Distaff – G1, $300,000, 4&up, f/m, 7f.
- Churchill Downs: Churchill Downs – G2, $250,000, 4&up, 7f.
- Churchill Downs: Churchill Distaff Turf Mile – G2, $200,000, 3&up, f/m, 8f (turf).
- Churchill Downs: Eight Belles Stakes –G3, $100,000, 3yo f, 7.5f.
- Delaware Park: Vincent A. Moscarelli Memorial Stakes, $75,000, 3&up, 6f.
- Evangeline Downs: Tellike Stakes, $50,000, 3&up, f/m, 5f (turf).
- Hollywood Park: Wilshire Handicap –G3, $100,000, 3&up, f/m, 8f (turf).
- Pimlico: Federico Tesio Stakes, $50,000, 3yo, 9f.
- Portland Meadows: Oregon Derby, $25,000, 3yo, 9f.
- Thistledown: Angenora Stakes, $50,000, 3&up, f/m, 6f.
Sunday – May 2
- Arlington Park: Sale Special Starter, $18,000, 4&up, f/m, 8f.
- Arlington Park: Seattle Songster Starter, $14,000, 4&up, 8f.
- Emerald Downs: Hastings Handicap, $50,000, 3&up, f/m, 6f.
- Hollywood Park: Senorita Stakes G3, $100,000, 3yo f, 8f (turf).
- Turf Paradise: A.T.B.A. Spring Sales Stakes, $50,000, 2yo, 5f.
- Turf Paradise: Hasta La Vista Handicap, $25,000, 3&up, 15f (turf).
Harness Stakes Action
This Weekend’s Stakes Action
Yonkers rolls on with the George M Levy series and Blue Chip Matchmaker. Watch and Wager on these Harness stakes races this week:
Friday – April 30
- Meadowlands: Hiram Woodruff, $46,500, 4&5 yo, Open Trot
- Pocono Downs: Scranton Trot, $12,500, 3 yo, Filly Trot
- Yonkers: Blue Chip Matchmaker, $40,000, Open Mare, Pace
Saturday – May 1
- Freehold: Dexter Cup, $50,000, 3 yo, Open Trot
- Meadowlands: Berry’s Creek, $25,000, 3 yo, Open Pace
- Pocono Downs: Mohegan Pace, $12,500, 3 yo, C&G Pace
- Tioga Downs: Kenneth J, $7,500, 3 yo, C&G Pace
- Yonkers: George M Levy, $100,000, Free For All Pace
- Yonkers: George M Levy, $200,000, Free For All Pace
- Yonkers: Blue Chip Matchmaker, $125,000, Open Mare Pace
- Yonkers: Blue Chip Matchmaker, $75,000, Open Mare Pace
Sunday – May 2
- Tioga Downs: Tioga Country Club, $7,500, 3 yo, Filly Trot
Tuesday – May 4
- Pocono Downs: Wyoming Valley, $20,000, 3 yo, C&G Trot
Wednesday – May 5
- Hoosier Park: R&D Rose, $15,000, 3&UP, Open Trot
- Pocono Downs: Wilkes-Barre Pace, $20,000, 3 yo, Filly Pace
Thursday – May 6
- Hoosier Park: Tubby Trimble, $15,000, 3&UP, H&G Pace
- Meadowlands: Mr. Muscleman, $18,000, 3 yo, C&G Trot
- Meadowlands: Windylane Hanover, $18,000, 3 yo, Filly Trot
Posted by Jared Alexander
BetAmerica’s Derby Top Eight Picks
