2010 KENTUCKY DERBY LATEST ODDS AND TIPS

They appear to be dropping like flies from the 2010 Kentucky Derby with a number of top trainers pulling out their charges due to last minute injuries. It’s good to see horsemen not taking risks on this stage with the health and wellbeing of their animals, so I don’t think racing fans will feel deprived this time out although you do get the feeling we all wanted to see just how well Eskendereya would have done.

The current contenders for the 136th Kentucky Derby are as follows: A Little Warm, Awesome Act, American Lion, Backtalk, Conveyance, Dean’s Kitten, Devil May Care, Discreetly Mine, Dublin, Homeboykris, Ice Box, Interactif, Jackson Bend, Line of David, Lookin at Lucky, Make Music for Me, Mission Impazible, Noble’s Promise, Paddy O’Prado, Pleasant Prince, Setsuko, Sidney’s Candy, Stately Victor and Super Saver.
Of those contenders, there are a few still on the bubble so we’ll be taking a look at some of the more firm selections for this year’s Run for the Roses.
As we draw closer to the Derby, I’m starting to favour Ice Box (Pulpit) by a bigger margin. I think that with so much early speed in this race- there are about 7 or 8 clear contenders who will try to wire the field- your money should probably be on a Mine That Bird-style runner who will be able to move through traffic and mug the leading pack on the line. One of the main reasons why I think Ice Box is the most dangerous isn’t just his awesome ability to close hard down the stretch, but his ability to find another gear in a pace duel. Go back and watch the 2010 Florida Derby and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. This is a mysterious horse that a lot of the other jockeys won’t know how to deal with. He’s proven that he can go 5 or 6 wide and make things happen- if he can get into a decent spot and horse his way through traffic- he is your best bet coming up the middle of the stretch.
Top Irish bookmaker Paddy Power has listed Ice Box at 10/1- down from the 26/1 he was initially installed at. Look for lots of late money to come on Ice Box.
Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) has turned in some incredible workouts over the past week and he’s demonstrated acumen on dirt, which is an ace up the sleeve for a West Coast runner, and I think this gives him the edge over Sidney’s Candy (Candy Ride). Lookin At Lucky had a horrible trip his last time out and dug deep to find third place. If things go right for Bob Baffert’s colt, then he should be able to wrap it up. He’s a justifiable favourite and I like how he is a bit more in between a late closer and an early pacer. He is a threat with the tactical speed. You’ll find him at 3/1.
Devil May Care (Malibu Moon) is set to soak up the majority of the female bet and is a bit of a consolation entry from Todd Pletcher who had to withdraw the favourite on Sunday. The talented bay filly just took the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss Stakes at Gulf Stream and took the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Belmont last year. A lot of folks seem to think she’s being entered in the derby to avoid Blind Luck in the Kentucky Oaks. You’ll find her at 12/1.
D. Wayne Lukas’ Dublin (Afleet Alex) has been pointed at the Derby for quite some time and he just needs such a big step up to win this I seriously don’t think he’s in contention. He could be on your show tickets, but his record just doesn’t inspire enough confidence. He is trading at 16/1.
Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) is an extremely interesting contender and has been one of the “bubble-horses” for quite some time. Paddy Power has just raised his price from 20/1 to 33/1 and I think he has a bigger edge than a lot of the other contenders thanks to his small size and ability to navigate traffic. Mine That Bird sneaked through the entire field to score a 50/1 winner and I have a feeling that if Jackson Bend still has enough coming down the stretch he will be able to navigate his way through it with ease. He has the later pace and could be very dangerous as an outside selection or on the bottom end of your exotic tickets. His second place finishes to Eskendereya are about as good a reference as you could ask for.
We’ll be bringing you full coverage and a deeper look into the 2010 Kentucky Derby betting market as we get the post position announcements. Expect a shuffle in the odds.