posted April 23, 2008 at 14:38 in Triple Crown Articles

Big Brown is still on top of my BetUS online derby betting power rankings. But I noticed something strange in my last viewing of the Florida Derby, Big Brown’s signature win that I will explain in the rankings.

I have no doubt, by the way, that the BetUS horse bets offered below are much better then what horse racing handicappers will get on Derby Day. The fact of the matter is that successful thoroughbred race betting depends on getting the best odds for your money. That means that it is very important for horse bettors to take advantage of the BetUS horseracing odds offered on the BetUS online sportsbook betting site.

Let’s get to the rankings!

Kentucky Derby Power Rankings

1. Big Brown - - His BetUS sports wagering odds of 2 to 1 are almost too low for me to recommend. I will recommend for the simple fact that come Derby Day his betting odds will be 8 to 5 or lower. If you like him, then put an online wager on him …today. Now, about that flaw I saw. Technically, it wasn’t a flaw with Big Brown. I may be splitting hairs here, but from what I saw in the Florida Derby, Big Brown didn’t nearly go as far around that first turn as I though he did after my first viewing of the race. That makes him a tough play to me. Also, he didn’t beat anybody worth anything in that race. He’s tops now, but I’m not in love with this guy the way everybody else is.

2. Pyro - - Now, these are odds that I like! 13 to 2 on the best three-year old in the country. Again, polytrack changes things. I’m throwing that race out. I don’t believe that everybody will come to their senses on Derby Day and bet this guy down. But in order to insure you get the best wagering odds possible, go ahead and put money on him at 13 to 2 right now. The BetUS online sportsbook is doing us a favor!

3. Colonel John - - Low betting odds on a horse that has never raced on conventional dirt. I do like Colonel John’s chances, but at BetUS horse betting odds of 4 to 1, I’m going to have to pass. I’ll wait and see what this guy’s wagering odds are on Derby Day.

4. Eight Belles - - Some of my fellow thoroughbred racing writers have said that this filly has no chance in the Derby because she’s a filly. No chance against whom? Big Brown? Pyro? Personally, I believe that Eighte Belles will beat Halo Najib and Anak Nakal by 80 lenghts. Also, she had to work for her last win. That showed guts. That’s never a bad thing to have in a horse - - male or female. Her BetUS online odds are 25 to 1. That’s not bad either.

5. Cool Coal Man - - The BetUS sportsbook odds on this guy are 50 to 1. The excuse in his last is that he just didn’t take to the polytrack. The reason he’s ranked in the top 5 is because he’s got the ability to stay close to the pace. Who says he doesn’t turn into a monster a la Big Brown? At betting odds of 50 to 1, I’m willing to take a stab.

6. Adriano - - He’ll have to improve significantly in the Derby to win this, but at least he’s bred to do so. I don’t like how his connections were waffling about whether or not to put him into the Derby. I mean, why did he have to train well over the Churchill Downs’ dirt track? Uh…this is the Derby, folks. Ridiculous. Anyhow, his online odds of 25 to 1 are good enough to consider a wager.

7. Z Fortune - - He’s got that Giacomo style. So, the track comes up wonky on Derby Day, Big Brown folds like a chair, Pyro is stuck on the rail, and you hit this guy at BetUS sports wagering odds of 20 to 1. Who’s the genius now? You are, buddy!

8. Visionnaire - - The BetUS online betting odds on this guy are crazy - - 40 to 1. I love it! He hated that polytrack just like Pyro, but nobody’s even thinking about this guy. This is a classic long-shot Derby play right here. He can lead, stalk, or come from the clouds. Comes from a hot barn and is bred to love the 1 ¼ mile distance of the Kentucky Derby. Ignore at your own peril!

9. Tale of Ekati - - War Pass is out of the Derby and that’s who this guy beat in his last. I’m not feeling this horse at all. I do think that he has ability, but things so set up for him in this years’ Wood. Believe it or not, I think he’s an underlay at the BetUS sports wagering odds of 20 to 1. Still, he has a shot because after the top eight, there’s not a whole lot more to like in this race.

10. Monba - - Only two preps this year which I still don’t believe is the way to go and he won the Bluegrass on polytrack. He’s on this list because he won the Bluegrass, but he wouldn’t be if that race had been run on dirt. Pyro would have won the Bluegrass in that case and this guy would be off the Derby Trail. His BetUS online odds of 18 to 1 are too low for me.

Keep checking the Locker Room all through the Triple Crown season, as we will cover the trainers, horses and jockeys in each race. You can get your early Kentucky Derby Odds at Churchill Downs bets in now in the BetUS sportsbook in the Future / props section, under Horse Futures: 2008 Kentucky Derby Betting.