The Wizard's 6 Grade 1 stakes package
Get the Wizard's picks and wagering strategy for stakes races on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs.
The WizardMay 05, 2011
Get the Wizard's picks and wagering strategy for stakes races on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs.
There is a palpable affection that trainer Nick Zito has for his colt Dialed In, who is the morning-line favorite for the 137th Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs. “I get kind of emotional, and I got emotional after the Florida Derby because this horse reminds me of Strike the Gold, and that’s who put us in this situation,” Zito said. “We’ve been in this situation for 20 years because of him.”
Graham Motion’s first two Kentucky Derby experiences were so thoroughly miserable that he was in no rush to get back to Churchill Downs to participate in the world’s most famous horse race. Thus far, the third time has not been the charm.
Dave Flores will have a chance to strike it rich Saturday as the contestant chosen to make the $100,000 win wager in the second annual Derby Dream Bet Sweepstakes, sponsored by Churchill and NBC Sports. Flores, from the south side of Chicago, told NBC that he has attended the Derby at least 20 times. His name was randomly drawn among the thousands that entered the sweepstakes, which closed April 24.
An analysis of the three Derby Future Wager pools offered earlier this year reveals the usual assortment of overlays and underlays. The biggest hits would come to the scattering of folks who played Decisive Moment at 186-1 in Pool 1 or at 99-1 in Pool 3.
Regardless of what horse you may like to win the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, there is little doubt that two speedy horses should be prominent for at least a fair portion of the way: Comma to the Top and Shackleford. Of that pair, there seems to be greater sentiment that Shackleford is more inclined to hang around for the end.
Though he had a spirited 1 1/2-mile gallop over a tight and fast Churchill Downs main track on Thursday morning, Uncle Mo’s status for Saturday’s 137th Kentucky Derby remained in limbo and a decision on whether or not he runs could be made by Thursday night or Friday morning.
Of the 110 horses listed in the first Derby Futures book at the Wynn Las Vegas last Sept. 7, only three made it to the entry box: Uncle Mo (40-1), Stay Thirsty (85-1), and Soldat (150-1).
Field for the 2011 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7, at Churchill Downs with post positions, odds, and contender profiles from Daily Racing Form.
Things appeared to be going swimmingly for Archarcharch and his connections in the three weeks since their 3-year-old won the Arkansas Derby. Then came Wednesday’s post position draw for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby where Archarcharch wound up in post position 1 in the 20-horse field.