Scott Garceau: Down And Derby
In 2 weeks 3-year olds will take over Baltimore. This weekend the 3-year olds are the talk of the town in Louisville. It's the first Saturday in May and a field of 20 expected for the 139th Kentucky Derby. Here are just some of the stories surrounding this years Run for the Roses.
Orb (7-2) The favorite has local ties. Northern Baltimore County's Stuart Janney the III is the owner. Could this be the second Derby winner in the last 3 years with Maryland ties? Animal Kingdom trained by Graham Motion out of Fair Hill in Elkton, Maryland won 2 years ago. Orb who's won 4 straight races will start from the 16th post position. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey is 0 for 6 in the Derby.
Verrazano (4-1) The second choice and winner of the Wood Memorial. One of a record-tying 5 horses in the Derby trained by Todd Pletcher. Pletcher won his only Derby in 2010 with Super Saver.
Goldencents (5-1) Don't bet against him. Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino owns 5% of the Santa Anita Derby winner. In the past month Pitino has won a NCAA basketball championship and been named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame why not add the Derby to Pitino's Triple Crown.
Revolutionary (10-1) Also trained by Todd Pletcher. He has 3-time Derby winner Calvin Borel up. Famour for riding the rail Calvin won't have to go far to find it. Revolutionary drew the 3 post. Look for "Bo-rail" on the rail.
Normandy Invasion (12-1) The 5th betting choice. Could be a nice value bet. A strong finish placed him 2nd in the Wood and his recent works have been impressive, but he's 12-1 with only 1 win in 5 races.
There are 15 others in the Derby field with Morning Line Odds ranging from 15-1 to 50-1. A 20-horse field, expected rain and the whims of 3 year-olds, good luck! Post time 6:24.
