BETFAIR 2009 KENTUCKY DERBY BETTING PREVIEW

We're just 48 hours off the most exciting minute in sports as Churchill Downs prepares for the 2009 Kentucky with such names as Dunkirk, I Want Revenge, Pioneerof The Nile and Musket Man all set for very strong performances. Anyone who's been keeping up on my Kentucky Derby analysis and previews will know that I am extremely partial to Pioneerof The Nile and I've picked him out as my tip for the day. I actually think with a good performance here we could have another potential triple-crown winner. I don't want to get ahead of myself, especially after Big Brown failed to come through in the final event last year, but I seriously think this is one of the best horses to come along in a generation. I'd been keeping an eye on him for most of the season, but his epic victory in the Santa Anita Derby was what converted me into an unabashed Pioneerof The Nile supporter. He combines the starting ability of a quarter horse, always super strong out of the gate, but towards the first turn he turns into an out and out chaser. He won't run out of gas here despite the distance, this is a quality horse with a derby victory written all over him. Many experts are backing Friesen Fire and I can understand why they'd go there. He's got a good record, but the quality of races he's won don't match up to Pioneerof The Nile. He's got two first grade victories this season and that's where the Derby is won for me. The one thing I can see working in Friesen Fire's favour is the fact that conditions on the ground are likely to be a bit slower with rain in the forecast. He won the Louisiana Derby on very sloppy going. Dunkirk is an interesting story as he was pretty much the biggest story in American racing for most of the season so far, carrying a price tag of $3 million compared to Pioneerof The Nile's mere $15,000. If you're backing Dunkirk, you're doing it on hype alone. Most expert punters don't even have him in their top 3. A full 20 runners are in this one, the largest field out of any US horserace. I think the only thing that will keep Pioneerof The Nile, I Want Revenge and Friesan Fire out of this one is an accident on the track. I'm hoping that won't happen, but slippery conditions on the ground can make things pretty unpredictable. If you're looking for a real sleeper outside bet, check Musket Man- he can close like no one else and he's going to be making up the bottom portion of my exotics. 1. West Side Bernie- 38.02. Musket Man- 28.03. Mr Hot Stuff- 42.04. Advice- 29.05. Hold Me Back- 26.06. Friesan Fire-7.47. Papa Clem- 28.08. Mine That Bird- 120.09. Join in the Dance- 120.010. Regal Ransom- 20.011. Chocolate Candy- 18.512. General Quarters- 20.013. I Want Revenge- 4.514. Atomic Rain- 120.015. Dunkirk- 5.816. Pioneerof The Nile- 7.417. Summer Bird- 70.018. Nowhere to Hide- 120.019. Desert Party- 18.020. Flying Private- 120.0