Betting on the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday was down slightly from last year, while overall betting on the 13-race card rose slightly, according to a side-by-side comparison of charts of the races.
Jockey Victor Espinoza said that when he was a youngster growing up in Mexico, he was afraid of horses. “Look at me now, I’ve won two Kentucky Derbies,” Espinoza said after winning the Derby on Saturday aboard the 2-1 favorite California Chrome, a horse he’s ridden to five consecutive victories for 77-year-old trainer Art Sherman.
Jose Espinoza just couldn’t stay away. So confident that his brother, Victor, was going to win Saturday’s 140th Kentucky Derby aboard California Chrome, Jose made plans late Friday night to attend the Derby, a race he rode in for the first – and last – time last year.
For the second straight year, trainer Dallas Stewart was second to one in the Kentucky Derby. One year after finishing second to the favored Orb with 34-1 shot Golden Soul, Stewart was again second-best to the favorite, this time with 37-1 Commanding Curve, whose furious late rally in the stretch Saturday fell 1 3/4 lengths short of California Chrome in Kentucky Derby 140 at Churchill Downs.
Here are the top five finishers, with all available mutuel prices involving the 140th Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Art Sherman first came to Churchill Downs in 1955 as a stablehand associated with Swaps, who won that year’s Kentucky Derby. The other day, Sherman, now 77 and the trainer of California Chrome, paid a visit to the gravesite of Swaps, whose remains are at the Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, and said a little prayer. “It came true,” he said. “I was hoping he was another Swaps.”
The probability of a swift pace in the Kentucky Derby is strong, with six speed horses trying to stretch out to 1 1/4 miles. Which horse makes the lead? It could be any of those listed below.
On Saturday morning, California Chrome went for an easy one-mile jog with exercise rider Willie Delgado aboard, the sun just beginning to brighten the twin spires as they loomed over the Kentucky Derby favorite.
Now to the question of the day: Who’s going to win the Derby? California Chrome – that’s the prediction here, anyway.
After the close of ontrack wagering Friday, Santa Anita Derby winner California Chrome was the 3-1 favorite in advance wagering for Saturday's Kentucky Derby, with Wood Memorial winner Wicked Strong and Arkansas Derby winner Danza co-second choices at 8-1.
