Posted on 5/2/2008 7:43:23 PM

Kentucky Derby Betting Online - 2 Races on Undercard Offer Nice Overlays

By D.S Williamson

If we concentrate too much on the Kentucky Derby, as online sportsbook enthusiasts, our heads will start spinning. The truth about the Kentucky Derby is that although everybody wants to pick the winner, it doesn’t always end up that way. In fact because the Kentucky Derby is so different then any other race in the United States, there are 20 horses in the freaking field, it makes more sense to concentrate on some of the smaller races that are run during the day.

That’s what I’m going to do here. BetUS online racebook fans must understand that the Derby is a single race on an eleven race card. Inside of that card are numerous races where a BetUS sportsbook wagering king can make a lot of dough.

I’ve highlighted two of those races below. I’ll have sizable online bets on horses in both of these races.

Race 7 – Churchill Downs

Grade III Churchill Distaff Turf Mile

1 mile on turf

Dreaming of Ana, the chalk in this race, is 9 out of 13 lifetime and has won almost 2 million dollars. So, am I going to pick her? Of course not! There’s nothing wrong with Dreaming of Ana other then the fact that she will have to fight hard to wrestle the lead away from Bayou’s Lassie and New Edition. Neither one of those mares is going to let Ana just stroll to the lead. That means that my play of the day, Lady Carlock, has a legitimate shot to pull a major upset in this race. The morning line odds on Lady Carlock are 15 to 1. She’s trained by Carl Nafzger who about this time in 2007 was getting ready to pose for pictures with Street Sense. She will need a very hot pace in order to get up at this mile distance, but she might get it as both New Edition and Dreaming of Ana have little choice but to run each other into the ground. For second, I can’t dismiss the chalk. Dreaming of Ana is as quality as a mare can get. She’s ultra-fast and I do believe she is the most likely winner of this race. It’s the odds that I can’t stand. For third, I’m going with Ventura. She, like Dreaming of Ana, is a quality mare. I think she can do some damage in this race.

1. Lady Carlock

2. Dreaming of Ana

3. Ventura

Race 9 – Churchill Downs

Grade I Woodford Reserve Turf Classic

1 1/8th miles on turf

This is only an eight horse field which makes me wonder if I’m going to get anything close to 5 to 1 on Artiste Royale. I hope I do. He’s a very good horse who has trouble finding the winner’s circle, but trainer Neil Drysdale didn’t send him all the way to Kentucky to just hang-out. Royale is well meant. I expect him to show it in the Woodford Reserve. I’ve got to go with another California shipper, Golden Balls, for second. Golden Balls is coming out of a nice mile prep race on the turf where he lost by 1 ¾ lengths to Daytona. Daytona would be a big favorite in this race. So, Golden Balls deserves some respect. For third, Einstein is the play. The morning line chalk at 3 to1, Einstein isn’t nearly as dominant as some make him out to be. But he is consistent and that might just be enough to put him into the winner’s circle.

1. Artiste Royale

2. Golden Balls

3. Einstein

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.