Posted on
2/28/2008 12:32:23 AM
Bet on Horse Racing Kentucky Derby Futures Top Ten
By DS Williamson
Kentucky Derby Fever is underway officially now that the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes has been run. Cool Coal Man won the Fountain of Youth and, surprise, he isn’t in my Top 5! I’ll explain that in the individual write-up. Guess who else isn’t in my Top 5? That’s right! Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Champ War Pass!
By the way, Becksters, I’m an absolute sucker when it comes to future betting on the Kentucky Derby. Wifey hates it, but I can’t help it. I keep thinking about those ponies and there big rumps - - okay, that’s somewhat creepy. Anyhow…
Let’s get right to it, shall we?
1. Pyro – BetUS odds of + 500 = I absolutely hate making Pyro my favorite because his future odds aren’t what I like to see, but that move he made in the lane during the Risen Star still ranks as one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen. That’s right. Ever. Since Pyro is bred to run all day there really isn’t a single reason not to like him.
2. Barrier Reef – BetUS odds of +4000 = 40 to 1 on a horse out of Mizzen Mast trained by Kieran McLaughlin and a winner of over $100,000? Are you kidding me? This guy is all ready a stakes winner and comes out of Darley Stable - - those same guys who saddle all of those Godolphin winners. I absolutely love this guy. The only issue is whether or not he will make the race.
3. Colonel John – BetUs odds of + 1800 = Nice horse who is trained by Eoin Harty and has run all of his races on artificial surfaces. Out of Tiznow which means he’s got heart. Bet this guy now because once he switches to conventional dirt I’ve got the sneaky feeling that he’s going to improve dramatically.
4. Giant Moon – BetUS odds of + 5000 = Out of Giant’s Causeway, undefeated, has won races at one-turn on the Belmont strip as well as on the Aqueduct inner track. Trained by Richard Schosberg. His odds will sky-dive if he wins his second race of the year.
5. Denis of Cork – BetUS odds of + 1600 = Out of Harlan’s Holiday and an Unbridled mare, Denis of Cork is undefeated and, more importantly, has already faced adversity. He doesn’t have the amazing turn of foot that Pyro has, but he can definitely mow them down if that’s what the race calls for.
6. Elysium Fields – BetUS odds of + 2500 = Would have won the Fountain of Youth with a better trip. Has improved quite a bit in his last couple of races and is trained by Barclay Tagg who won the Derby with Funny Cide. Is bred to run all day.
7. Cowboy Cal – BetUS odds of + 3500 = Been running in turf races for Pletcher, but you shouldn’t worry. Pletcher knows that this guy out of Giant’s Causeway could turn into a serious derby contender by May.
8. War Pass – BetUS odds of + 500 = The champ is super fast, but he hasn’t shown the ability to rate and really isn’t bred to run a mile and a quarter at Churchill Downs. I love this guy, but he has the look of a horse that peaked too early to me. I can’t recommend and such low odds, but he still belongs on this list because he is that good.
9. Majestic Warrior – BetUS odds + 2000 = My big knock against this guy is the fact that his trainer, Bill Mott, usually trains four and five year olds. He won’t push Warrior to get him into the Derby. That means that Majestic Warrior might not get three preps. It worked for Street Sense last year, but Street Sense was a freak at Churchill Downs and just a good horse every where horse. Majestic Warrior trains out of New York.
10. Cool Coal Man – BetUS odds + 1800 = He won the Fountain of Youth, is trained by Nick Zito, and is out of Mineshaft. He also has a great bottom. Why then is he so far down on this list? Because he strikes me as a trier, as our current Prez might say, and triers usually don’t win this race unless there’s something goofy going on like the time Giacamo won. I swear I saw a jet-pack strapped to that horse’s ass!
Until next week, good luck!
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