From the very first Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool back in February to just a few days ago, there really was no doubt who the betting favorite for the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby was going to be, and his name was Verrazano.
The Todd Pletcher trainee has done everything asked of him, winning all four starts and winning both of his races in stakes company, the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and the Wood Memorial (G1).
*Editor Note: Black Onyx has been scratched as of noon ET Friday, so the field is down to 19.
However, after earning triple digit Beyers in his second and third career start, he dipped to a 95 in the Wood, and while many thought he would trounce the field, he only held off Normandy Invasion by three-quarters of a length.
Wagering on the Triple Crown? Get $110 in Bonuses at TVG - Click Here!
A week before the Wood, the Shug McGaughey trained Orb won the Florida Derby (G1), easily holding off the highly regarded Itsmyluckyday by 2 ¾ lengths. The win was his second stakes victory. The colt won the Fountain of Youth (G2) on Feb. 23 in his stakes debut.
Since Orb arrived at Churchill Downs, there have been nothing but rave reviews from anyone that has seen the strapping colt gallop or work in the mornings.
There has been so much buzz that Churchill Downs morning line oddsmaker Mike Battaglia installed the colt as the 7-2 morning line favorite, with Verrazano relegated to the 4-1 second choice.
Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Goldencents is the third choice on the morning line at 5-1.
In a 20-horse field I do not think any runner is going to be as low as 7-2. I think Orb and Verrazano will be very close, each at between 9-2 and 5-1. Goldencents is going to be closer to 6-1, and I think Revolutionary may see some action from his 10-1 morning line odds, likely to be around 8-1 or 9-1.
The Kentucky Derby is one of six stakes on an outstanding 13-race betting card that gets underway at 10:30am ET.
The race preceding the Derby is the $500,000 Woodward Reserve Turf Classic (G1), and as NBC might put it , it is “Must See TV.”
The 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan takes on Point of Entry, with the duo combining for seven Grade 1 victories in 2012.
Wise Dan won the Woodbine Mile, Shadwell Turf Mile and the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and started off his 2013 in fine fashion by taking the Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) at Keeneland on April 12.
Point of Entry won the Man ‘O War, Sword Dancer, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic invitational, and came up just a half-length short in the Breeders’ Cup Turf to Little Mike. His 2013 season started off with a victory in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G1) on February 9.
Wise Dan seems best at a mile, while Point of Entry did most of his damage at 1 ½ miles last year. On Saturday they will meet at 1 1/8 miles in an intriguing match up.
The NBC Sports Network will telecast the action on Saturday from 11:00am to 4:00 eastern, with NBC picking up the racing action from 4:00 to 7:00 eastern.
Michael Dempsey’s Triple Crown Package $44.95
Get Michael’s Dempsey’s full card reports for all three jewels of this year’s Triple Crown! Included in this package is Michael’s full card report for the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes Day cards. As an added bonus, subscribers to this package will also receive Michael’s Kentucky Oaks Day card free!