Closing longshots key for big Derby payouts
How do you find a Kentucky Derby longshot worth tossing onto tickets?
Marcus HershApr 30, 2015
How do you find a Kentucky Derby longshot worth tossing onto tickets?
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has gotten a good look at Bob Baffert’s one-two punch for the Kentucky Derby. Lukas longshot Mr. Z tangled with both halves of the juggernaut, finishing third, less than a neck behind Dortmund, in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity last December, and third, 8 3/4 lengths behind American Pharoah, in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby three weeks ago.
Upstart has a few white spots on his dark bay coat, but trainer Rick Violette maintains it’s not skin disease.
Dancing Diva, perhaps the top 2-year-old Oklahoma-bred filly last season, should start as a strong favorite in the $50,000 Oklahoma Stallion Stakes at Will Rogers Downs on Saturday.
A couple Grade 1-winning horses that at one time had been considered for major Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby undercard races at Churchill Downs have been redirected elsewhere.
If Coffee Clique got as much out of her comeback race as trainer Brian Lynch thinks she did, there’s a very good chance she could repeat in Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile.
Summon the Spirit (#6, ML 6-1) takes on four in Thursday’s sixth race at Belmont, a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race. Since Jan. 1, 2014, trainer Jimmy Jerkens is winning at a 28 percent clip in route races, for a return on investment of $3.20.
His name has become synonymous with racing controversy. On Saturday, two races before the Kentucky Derby, Bayern once again will be a hot topic when making his 4-year-old debut as a solid favorite in the 81st running of the Grade 2, $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes.
Driver John Campbell has a busy schedule on Saturday. The all-time leading money-winning driver in history will be at The Meadows driving top trotter (and others) Melady’s Monet in the afternoon before flying back to New Jersey for a few assignments at night.
DRF handicapper Kenny Peck provides insight for a pick four in races 4-7 Friday at Churchill Downs.