"The Kentucky Derby is arguably the prized jewel of most
horse racing fanatics and horse owners a like. “The Race for the Triple Crown”
begins with the Kentucky Derby which ultimately solidifies the importance of
the race."
Insight and Predictions of the 2015 Kentucky Derby...
Well it is that time of year again; flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and the World is preparing for the start of The Kentucky Derby. The true start to the Horse Racing season, The Kentucky Derby is arguably the prized jewel of most horse racing fanatics and horse owners a like. “The Race for the Triple Crown” begins with the Kentucky Derby which ultimately solidifies the importance of the race.
Insight and Predictions of the 2015 Kentucky Derby...
Well it is that time of year again; flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and the World is preparing for the start of The Kentucky Derby. The true start to the Horse Racing season, The Kentucky Derby is arguably the prized jewel of most horse racing fanatics and horse owners a like. “The Race for the Triple Crown” begins with the Kentucky Derby which ultimately solidifies the importance of the race.
The Triple
Crown has not been won since 1978 when Affirmed, ridden by Steve Cauthen took
home the coveted honor of winning not only the Kentucky Derby but also The
Preakness and The Belmont Stakes. This Saturday, May 2nd, American
Pharaoh, the odds on favorite to win The Kentucky Derby, looks to take the
first step towards the elusive Triple Crown Title.
American
Pharaoh (AP) currently is a 5-2 favorite in the 20 horse field. Drawing the 18
post position prior to Saturday’s race, AP now has the difficult task of coming
from the outside 18 post to win – something that has only been done in Kentucky
Derby history once before in 1982. Seems like a daunting task to state the
racing season and one that trainer Bob Baffert doesn’t shy away from. Being
ridden by Victor Espinoza, who is no stranger to success after manning the
saddle for Kentucky Derby and Preakness Winner California Chrome, it is easy to
see why AP is commanding such a high level of respect in Vegas.
Lucky for
Mr. Baffert, he is also the trainer for the second favorite in the race,
Dortmund. Named after the soccer club Borussia Dortmund and sired by a previous
Triple Crown threat in Big Brown, Dortmund has stood out as one of the
favorites for the 2015 Kentucky Derby. After an impeccable 2014 racing season
in which Dortmund galloped into the Winner’s Circle on 3 different occasions,
Dortmund has managed to win all 3 of its starts in 2015 and brandishes a strong
6-0-0 records in its lifetime. My money is on Dortmund coming off the 8th
pole position at 3-1 odds.
The final
horse commanding media attention would be Carpe Diem coming out of the 2nd
pole position. Just likes its name, Carpe Diem hopes to seize the day and win
the first step in the long process of achieving the Triple Crown. At 8-1 odds,
Carpe Diem seems to be a great way to pad a gambler’s Exacta of Trifecta bets to
increase the payout. Carpe Diem trained by famed trainer Todd Pletcher, is
known for the ability to hold a high rate of pace throughout the duration of
the race. Kentucky born, bred, and raised, Carpe Diem could be a solid gamble.
The Field:
The field in post
position (with odds):
1. Ocho, Ocho
(50-1)
2 Carpe Diem (8-1)
3. Materiality
(12-1)
4. Tencendur
(30-1)
5. Danzig Moon
(30-1)
6. Mubtaahij
(20-1)
7. El Kabeir
(30-1)
8. Dortmund (3-1)
9. Bolo (30-1)
10. Firing Line
(12-1)
11. Stanford (30-1)
12. International
Star (20-1)
13. Itsaknockout
(30-1)
14. Keen Ice
(50-1)
15. Frosted
(15-1)
16. War Story
(50-1)
17. Mr. Z (50-1)
18. American
Pharoah (5-2)
19. Upstart
(15-1)
20. Far Right
(30-1)
*The No. 5 and No. 10 slots have each had nine
Derby winners with the No. 1 and No. 8 having eight winners each.
The Picks:
Winner – Dortmund
Exacta – Dortmund, American Pharoah
Exact Box – Carpe Diem, Dortmund
Trifecta – Dortmund, Carpe Diem, American Pharoah
Superfecta Box – Dortmund, Carpe Diem, American Pharoah, Firing
Line
Long Shot – Danzig Moon (30-1)
Post time
for the Run for the Roses is 6:34 EST with weather forecasts calling for 76
degrees and partly cloudy skies. No rain in the forecast of the weekend in
Louisville which will allow for the integrity of the race to not be called into
question. The only question left is, where do you plan on watching arguably the
biggest race of the Racing Season and what are you drinking? For me, a snifter
of bourbon, the smell of the charcoal on the grill, and friends allows this
race to be a great pregame to the other HUGE events of this historical sporting
weekend. Drink up, win big and enjoy!
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