By Brian Mulligan
Courtesy of Triple Crown Racebook
After the equine smoke evaporates this weekend, racing fans will have a much clearer view of this year?s Kentucky Derby picture. It could still be a little fuzzy, but after the Blue Grass and the Arkansas Derby are decided the major preps will almost be history. One thing is certain, it?s Nick Zito?s party and you better bring a gift for the host.
With several legit contenders, Zito is positioned to have maybe a fourth stringer succeed on May 7 in the 1 ?-mile classic.
A lot happened last week and the main man was George Steinbrenner?s Bellamy Road. He registered a freakish win in the Wood Memorial romping by daylight and earning a 120 Beyer to boot. He ran fast enough to set the stakes record and tie the track record that had stood for over 30 years and was set by 1972 Ky. Derby hero Riva Ridge.
Greeley?s Galaxy took the Illinois Derby but not sure he was beating anybody and the shocker of the weekend was in the Santa Anita Derby. Jeff Mullins became the only trainer in history to saddle 3 consecutive SA Derby winners when his Buzzards Bay upset holding off a 60-1 shot.
The Florida Derby exacta of High Fly and Noble Causeway, both Zito students, will work up to the Derby. This leaves Sun King, as the lone Zito charge to prep again and he will be highly regarded in the Blue Grass.
The Blue Grass will also tell us what Consolidator is made of. When he won the San Felipe, the Anita strip was like a highway. There will be much more speed for him to deal with on Derby Day.
Don?t look for High Limit?s A game in the Blue Grass. He has only run once in 5 months and Frankel will not squeeze the lemon dry before hitting Kentucky.
The condition of Rockport Harbor and Bandini are a bit iffy at this point in time. Both are quality runners but Bandini missed the Florida Derby because of a bruised foot and has been working lightly. Rockport Harbor also has not had a smooth ride and has opted out of the Arkansas Derby. Coming to a race of the magnitude of the Derby, you pretty much can?t have a pimple going into the fray.
Don?t totally give up on Wilko yet. He was wide in the SA Derby, seems to be able to get the trip and he should be a generous price.
BUCKING TRENDS
They don?t make horses like they used to. Two trends bettors should be aware of for this year?s Derby. Only one horse since 1947, Sunny?s Halo, won the Derby off only 2 sophomore preps. And only once since 1956, Needles, had been off for 35 days before winning the classic.
In the mid 1950s, maybe horses, and people, were tougher. From 1948 till 1958 eight of the 11 Derby winners ran just 4 days before the zenith event. Good food for thought.
Click Here And Get $125 FREE To Bet The Kentucky Derby At TCBets.com
Courtesy of Triple Crown Racebook
After the equine smoke evaporates this weekend, racing fans will have a much clearer view of this year?s Kentucky Derby picture. It could still be a little fuzzy, but after the Blue Grass and the Arkansas Derby are decided the major preps will almost be history. One thing is certain, it?s Nick Zito?s party and you better bring a gift for the host.
With several legit contenders, Zito is positioned to have maybe a fourth stringer succeed on May 7 in the 1 ?-mile classic.
A lot happened last week and the main man was George Steinbrenner?s Bellamy Road. He registered a freakish win in the Wood Memorial romping by daylight and earning a 120 Beyer to boot. He ran fast enough to set the stakes record and tie the track record that had stood for over 30 years and was set by 1972 Ky. Derby hero Riva Ridge.
Greeley?s Galaxy took the Illinois Derby but not sure he was beating anybody and the shocker of the weekend was in the Santa Anita Derby. Jeff Mullins became the only trainer in history to saddle 3 consecutive SA Derby winners when his Buzzards Bay upset holding off a 60-1 shot.
The Florida Derby exacta of High Fly and Noble Causeway, both Zito students, will work up to the Derby. This leaves Sun King, as the lone Zito charge to prep again and he will be highly regarded in the Blue Grass.
The Blue Grass will also tell us what Consolidator is made of. When he won the San Felipe, the Anita strip was like a highway. There will be much more speed for him to deal with on Derby Day.
Don?t look for High Limit?s A game in the Blue Grass. He has only run once in 5 months and Frankel will not squeeze the lemon dry before hitting Kentucky.
The condition of Rockport Harbor and Bandini are a bit iffy at this point in time. Both are quality runners but Bandini missed the Florida Derby because of a bruised foot and has been working lightly. Rockport Harbor also has not had a smooth ride and has opted out of the Arkansas Derby. Coming to a race of the magnitude of the Derby, you pretty much can?t have a pimple going into the fray.
Don?t totally give up on Wilko yet. He was wide in the SA Derby, seems to be able to get the trip and he should be a generous price.
BUCKING TRENDS
They don?t make horses like they used to. Two trends bettors should be aware of for this year?s Derby. Only one horse since 1947, Sunny?s Halo, won the Derby off only 2 sophomore preps. And only once since 1956, Needles, had been off for 35 days before winning the classic.
In the mid 1950s, maybe horses, and people, were tougher. From 1948 till 1958 eight of the 11 Derby winners ran just 4 days before the zenith event. Good food for thought.
Click Here And Get $125 FREE To Bet The Kentucky Derby At TCBets.com
