https://www.kentuckyderby.com/
Only 28 days to the first Saturday in May...
----------
Three big Derby point earning preps tomorrow: Wood Memorial, Blue Grass Stakes, and the Santa Anita Derby.
I am hoping for big runs from 2 longshot horses in my Derby barn (futures bets). Hopefully they earn points and make it into the big race.
Dynamic One in the Wood Memorial
Parnelli in the SA Derby
Past performances for the Saturday preps can be found here:
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Free_PPs_now_available_for_Blue_Grass_Wood_and_Santa_Anita_Derby_123
Won by longshot Bourbonic (70/1). My runner, Dynamic One, ran a nice race to finish second. He might have enough points for the Derby, if things play out perfectly. I do not think any from this event will be serious Derby contenders. This was a slow race and a questionable quality field.
Blue Grass Stakes (In Spanish, for a different sound to race calling):
Essential Quality just edged out Highly Motivated for the win. EQ will likely be one of the favorites for the Derby.
Santa Anita Derby:
Rock Your World won it. Really nice performance for his first time on a dirt surface. Wicked fast early pace and a bit slow at the end. Medina Spirit was second and has the points to run in the Derby. My steed, Parnelli showed early gas but folded it up late. He is not in the same class of the best 3 year olds.
----------
2 final preps next weekend and the Derby field will almost be set. Lexington Stakes @ Keeneland/Arkansas Derby @ Oaklawn.
Lexington Stakes @ Keeneland
Won by King Fury (18/1). He had a bit of back class to him and was definitely the best today in the slop.
Arkansas Derby @ Oaklawn.
Won by Super Stock (12/1) after a pace meltdown of the top 2 choice in the wagering.
https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/leaderboard
I have a future bet on King Fury so more departures increase his chances of running on May 1st and keeping my wager live. His connections want to run him, but if he does not make the gate he will also point towards the Preakness.
The Preakness is shaping up to be very heavy with fresh/capable runners for the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Quote: JohnzimboWhat odds do you have on King and what might he go off at if he gets into the race, any conjecture?
I have him @ 100/1 (Nov2020). I liked him after he won the Street Sense Stakes @ CD last year. He is still not officially in the Derby, but if he does get in he will likely be a longshot. A "Longshot" in the Derby is rarely over 100/1 these days (even with a 20 horse field). Longest odds horse in 2020 was 50/1 (fifteen horse field), 70/1 in 2019 (nineteen horse field) and 85/1 in 2018 (twenty horse field).
https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Stakes&stkid=897
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Concert_Tour_to_skip_Kentucky_Derby_aim_for_Preakness_123
Quote: FinsRuleKing Fury just needs one more defection. I think he will get in.
The list still has him @ #22 for the moment. Two more need to come out. Concert Tour opting out may keep some of the other speedsters from skipping, like Caddo River/Highly Motivated. There is still plenty of time for connections to decide.
https://irp.cdn-website.com/c33a1b13/files/uploaded/Kentucky_Derby_Leaderboard_4_17_2021.pdf
Chad Brown said he only wants one starter so that moves Fury up to 21.
I figure we are good for one more defection after that.
I don’t have a pick for who I think will win yet. I know who I want to win (Medina Spirit or Rock Your World).
I’m hoping I can find a longshot to go all in on. There’s plenty to choose from this year.
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Brown_leaning_toward_Preakness_for_Crowded_Trade_123
After Essential Quality the field does pretty much open up to everyone else. I think you would agree EQ is the likely Derby favorite right now. Even if I had futures on EQ I would still be a little worried about what the Blue Grass took out of him (same for Highly Motivated). That was a tough hard fought event for both runners.
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Rosario_picks_up_Kentucky_Derby_ride_on_Rock_Your_World_bumps_Rispoli_123
EQ is the definite favorite. My guess is he goes off at 2-1.
I think I might try to find a forwardly placed horse that can just wire this thing. I’m not sure how much speed there is going to be.
However, I could see Cox enter Caddo River to be a rabbit for EQ. Stretching the field out should make there be less traffic.
Even with the recent defections, I still get the feeling this Derby is more loaded with Early distance speed when compared with the last couple of events. Many want the front or to be near the front. This was one reason I was going all in on Greatest Honour to win it before he was taken out of the event. His Fountain of Youth closing romp was something to behold. But he is out, so now I need to settle on a different horse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg4DaaX81Ks
Apparently all horses and humans are ok. :)
https://irp.cdn-website.com/c33a1b13/files/uploaded/PPs_2021_Kentucky_Derby_Brisnet_pre_Derby.pdf
Quote: JohnzimboThere sure does seem to be a lot of front runner/speed types among the contenders.
I agree. Caddo River looks the "speed of the speed", but some others are close. I also get the feeling Medina Spirit is plenty quick and could go for the lead if asked. In the SA Derby he broke great and could have taken the lead but backed off.
Quote: JohnzimboThere sure does seem to be a lot of front runner/speed types among the contenders.
Every year they say there's "a ton of speed signed on" and almost every year the speed never shows up.
You have to be forwardly placed around the first turn unless you are a complete closer. That's why O Besos is getting hype.
What am I trying to say?
2-4 horses seem to always establish a good position around the first turn. One will probably win, one will probably hit the board and the other(s) fade. Typically once they get the good position they slow down and cause...
the logjam of 10-12 horses that are getting kickback and bouncing around against each other. One of them will hit the board.
Then there's 5 in the back getting a clean run, and one of them usually will hit the board.
30% chance of rain in long range forecast.
I'm sure everything I just wrote will be wrong in 9 days.
Replay of 1961 Derby (not a high quality video):
Chart of the race:
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25468936/1961-derby-chart/
More Info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carry_Back
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Dream_Shake_to_try_Pat_Day_Mile_opens_Derby_door_for_Hozier_123
King Fury is now eligible for the Derby @ #20 on the points list. Yay.
I was just scoping out the likely fave Essential Quality
as I've stated before I'm not all that trusting of speed figures
he was less than 1 second off the track record at Keeneland - a major track - at 9 furlongs last time out in the Blue Grass
and as a 2 year old in the Breeders Cup Juvenile he was only a little more than 1 second off the track record at Keeneland for 8½ furlongs with 14 horses in the field
and after a half mile he was eighth so he couldn't have had a great trip
wow
*
Quote: FinsRuleI watched all the replays and I like: Rock Your World, King Fury, Essential Quality, Hot Rod Charlie.
Nothing wrong with these. But just for discussion...
-EQ - No real knocks from me, only negative will be a short price.
-Hot Rod Charlie - I am not sure he wants 10 furlongs. He seems to have issues at the start (see his chart comments). I also just did not really love any from the Louisiana preps (and I have futures on Midnight Bourbon). Either it was a super competitive bunch @ Fairgrounds or not. Proxy's performance in the Lexington did not exactly flatter them.
-Rock Your World - Great win over Medina Spirit in the SA Derby. Fast fractions and he held on. He was asked hard for early speed and it looked like the winning move IMO. He did look green down the lane (see replay). I actually like Medina Spirit coming out of the race.
-King Fury - His win over the slop was visually impressive to me. There was a speed meltdown and the 2 early trailers closed to finish 1-2. I do sometimes fall into a trap of overrating wins on a sloppy/wet track. He has wins @ CD and has a bit of class to him. Great first start as a 3 year old and I really think there may be improvement possible with this guy. I feel he belongs in the race and deserves a chance as a "live longshot".
Obviously we are all looking for reasons to bet or not to bet particular runners. This is a difficult task.
Quote: KeeneoneYou were correct. Another headed to the Preakness.
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Brown_leaning_toward_Preakness_for_Crowded_Trade_123
After Essential Quality the field does pretty much open up to everyone else. I think you would agree EQ is the likely Derby favorite right now. Even if I had futures on EQ I would still be a little worried about what the Blue Grass took out of him (same for Highly Motivated). That was a tough hard fought event for both runners.
Do you really believe that a ‘hard fought race’ lasting less than 2 minutes will ‘take out’ something from a horse that two + weeks of rest and or training won’t mitigate? I mean a human running a half mile (around 2 minutes) will recover in far less time.
In EQ's specific case, I think he is doing fine after the Blue Grass.
https://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-caddo-river-has-infection-wont-race
Brooklyn Strong may now enter the event. We might not get a full field of 20 horses this year.
if you take the time to read the article it looks like if you buy one his expensive mattresses you would be way, way, way +EV
https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/mcingvale-to-make-largest-bet-in-derby-history/
*
I wonder if there is any sportsbook willing to take the bet directly themselves of that size?
*
Quote: speedycrapIn Vegas, I believe they are pari-mutual. All sportsbook go through the same provider.
I wish this was true. Unfortunately NV must have an agreement in place with any simulcast track. Churchill Downs (all its tracks) and NV have not had a deal for some time now. So no pari-mutual wagering for the Derby again this year. They still take bets on the race, just in house with potential limits on some exotics.
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/What_odds_can_you_get_in_Vegas_before_the_Kentucky_Derby_draw_123
https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/nevada-regulators-vote-to-allow-betting-on-kentucky-derby-2336307/
https://irp.cdn-website.com/c33a1b13/files/uploaded/PPs_2021_Kentucky_Derby.pdf
If Essential Quality wins, his pays will be something like 5.80, 4.40, 4.00. The best bet on him would be show.
#10 - Midnight Bourbon
#11 - Dynamic One
#12 - Helium
#16 - King Fury
I am going to cheer these guys on and hope I get to cash a ticket this year. The 2 horses I am most concerned about beating my steeds are Essential Quality and Medina Spirit.
I will take $3,0 for the show.Quote: FinsRuleThe key to betting is to not be afraid to lose. People bet across the board with their longshot picks and that causes there to be value on the favorite in the place and show pools in the Derby.
If Essential Quality wins, his pays will be something like 5.80, 4.40, 4.00. The best bet on him would be show.
the image shows historical data on how all of the post positions have fared since 1930
post 17 has never had a winner
post 14 where the fave has landed hasn't had a winner in 59 years
but if you look at it and accept what it suggests it looks like the far outside posts are not that bad
post 15 has had a higher % of winners than any post except for posts 5 and 10
post 20 has had a higher % of winners than posts 3, 4 and 6
everybody talks about the dreaded rail but it's had a higher % of winners than many other spots
my conclusion about this is that this is not at all meaningful
there's not enough trials for this to mean anything
many would say that a pretty far outside post such as 14 where the fave has landed is worse than if he had drawn for example, 4,5, or 6
I agree with that
I think because he is far outside his jock will have to gun him so he doesn't lose a lot of ground on the first turn
so, the post position is forcing the strategy in a way that they likely would not otherwise have followed
that doesn't mean that he is very unlikely to win from that post IMO
it just means that he has to run a great race and that he is a great horse and that his jock Luis Saez will have to use all of his skill to get him a good trip
*
Quote: ontariodealerAnyone got a link to the drf classic pp's
don't have it right now - but drf.com gives you one free race each day
if you search "drf.com free race of the day" in google on Saturday that will most probably be their free race
*
https://www.drf.com/formulator/pp-details/05-01-2021/CD/12/D/USA
Quote: lilredroosterdon't have it right now - but drf.com gives you one free race each day
if you search "drf.com free race of the day" in google on Saturday that will most probably be their free race
Thanks but I'll have the form by then
*
a scandal is brewing around the owner of Essential Quality - the favorite
his is Saudi Sheikh Mohammed who is accused by many of causing his own daughter to disappear
a judge found that he abducted one of his other daughters
human rights lawyers filed a complaint with the Kentucky Racing Commission asking him to be barred from the Derby
if Essential Quality wins I think this issue is likely to get a lot bigger and receive a lot more press attention
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/29/sports/horse-racing/kentucky-derby-sheikh-mohammed-dubai.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
*
this is the timeform.us breakdown of the Derby - the big no. is a speed figure that considers pace and previous relevant races - maybe best thought of as a power no. - the figures to the right of the big no. are the early pace and closing speed figures - up top on the right is how they see the early pace situation - timeform is highly regarded by many serious bettors - their pick to win is the 15 - Rock Your World
there is an unknown, that neither they or anyone else can account for - at this age colts are improving - nobody can say who will improve a lot, who will improve just a little, and who will not improve at all - the low price horses need to improve less than the others to be in the mix down the stretch
*
Here’s a useless fact I am only aware of because of an article I read online: one of the horses is named King Fury after current WBC Heavyweight Champion boxer Tyson Fury who in turn was named after the infamous and still famous “Iron” Mike Tyson (who needs no introduction).
Quote: FTBI could care less about Kentucky Derby.
I know just how you feel
I could care less about the Tyson vs. Lewis exhibition Lewis exhibition you're so excited about
*