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By GREG MELIKOV
Big Brown was installed as the heavy odds-on early favorite in the 133rd Preakness that attracted a surprising number of challengers — 12.
The last 13-horse fields came during the past decade and both winners of the Kentucky Derby prevailed: War Emblem in ‘02 and Charismatic in ‘99.
Ironically, they posted slower speed figures than in Louisville. Four other Kentucky Derby winners stepped up in Baltimore and their speed figures climbed.
Big Brown, 1-2, will break from post 7, which has produced five winners in the past 19 years. He’s 13 slots closer toward the rail than he was in the Derby. The son of Boundary and Gayego are the only two from this year’s Run for the Roses.
It’s the sixth time since Derby horses began running in the Preakness 90 years ago that two starters at Churchill Downs raced at Pimlico. The last year was ‘80 when Codex beat the Derby-winning filly Genuine Risk by 4 3/4 lengths.
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Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown will break from post no. 7 as the 1-2 morning line favorite in the $1-million Preakness Stakes 133 May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.
Raced at 1 3/16 miles, the 2008 Preakness Stakes attracted 12 three-year-old horses hoping to derail Big Brown’s Triple Crown aspirations. A Preakness victory for Big Brown could set up a Triple Crown try three weeks later in the 2008 Belmont Stakes.
Carrying 126 pounds, the Preakness entries with jockeys and morning line odds are:
- Macho Again ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux with morning line odds of 20-1
- Tres Borrachos ridden by jockey Tyler Baze, 30-1
- Icabad Crane ridden by jockey Jeremy Rose, 30-1
- Yankee Bravo ridden by jockey Alex Solis, 15-1
- Behindatthebar ridden by jockey David Flores, 10-1
- Racecar Rhapsody ridden by jockey Robby Albarado, 30-1
- Big Brown ridden by jockey Kent Desormeaux, 1-2
- Kentucky Bear ridden by jockey Jamie Theriot II, 15-1
- Stevil ridden by jockey John Velazquez, 30-1
- Riley Tucker ridden by jockey Edgar Prado, 30-1
- Giant Moon ridden by jockey Ramon Dominguez, 30-1
- Gayego ridden by jockey Mike Smith, 8-1
- Hey Byrn ridden by jockey C.C. Lopez, 20-1
The Preakness Stakes is scheduled as the 12 race in Pimlico’s May 17 horse racing program. Preakness post time is 6:15 pm.
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By GREG MELIKOV
Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well next time out or improve considerably, won three races, ran second three times and finished third three times since April 6.
Arlington Park
Boots Are Walking: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out in stretch, rallied to make up 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at five furlongs on May 4; ran final quarter in 12 seconds.
Can’t Refuse: Raced eighth more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out top of the stretch and closed fast from seventh to finish second by a neck at six furlongs on a good turf course May 3; ran final quarter in 23 1/5.
Le Dauphin: Raced fourth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced three wide on far turn into stretch, made up 1 1/4 lengths and gained second by a neck at 1 1/8 miles on the turf May 1.
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By GREG MELKOV
Hours of research on the 134th Kentucky Derby failed to single out a horse that I feel comfortable betting to win. This is the first time in years that I must throw a dart at the bullseye on the wagering board.
However, I have come up with several 3-year-olds I believe have the best chance to hit the board. Here are the thoroughbreds I’ll be using in exactas, trifectas and a Pick 3.
If any Kentucky Derby contender has a big shot to win it all, it’s Colonel John. The son of Tiznow, who won the first of his two Breeders’ Cup Classics in 2000 at Churchill Downs, captured both preps at 1 1/8 miles. In six career starts, he never was more than three lengths behind in the stretch and won four times and was runner-up twice.
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Larry Jones trainees, Eight Belles and Proud Spell, lead the morning line odds for the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs on the first Friday of May.
The Kentucky Oaks at 1 1/8 miles is the counter part of the Kentucky Derby. In the May 2 Kentucky Oaks, twelve will race for the lilies. Three-year-old fillies and mares racing in the Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Oaks this Friday with jockeys, weight and morning line odds:
- Golden Doc A ridden by jockey Kent Desormeaux carries 121 lbs. with odds of 12-1
- Absolutely Cindy ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux, 121 lbs., 20-1
- Awesome Chic ridden by jockey Robby Albarado, 121 lbs., 20-1
- Elusive Lady ridden by jockey Eibar Coa, 121 lbs., 30-1
- Rasierra ridden by jockey Jamie Theriot, 121 lbs., 50-1
- Country Star ridden by jockey Rafael Bejarano, 121 lbs., 4-1
- Little Belle ridden by jockey Rajiv Maragh, 121 lbs., 8-1
- Proud Spell ridden by jockey Gabriel Saez, 121 lbs., 7-2
- A to the Croft ridden by jockey Calvin Borel, 121 lbs., 20-1
- Bsharpsonata ridden by jockey Eric Camacho, 121 lbs., 6-1
- Pure Clan ridden by jockey Edgar Prado, 121 lbs., 6-1
- Eight Belles ridden by jockey Ramon Dominguez, 121 lbs., 5-2
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By GREG MELIKOV
My list of Top 10 contenders for the 134th Kentucky Derby has changed a bit as the 3-year-olds begin to arrive in Louisville. So Dave Letterman style, from the bottom, here we go again.
10. Denis of Cork/Cowboy Cal: Southwest Stakes winner Denis of Cork joins rankings off bullet breeze of a minute for five furlongs at Churchill Downs, the fastest of 23 clockings on Monday. Horses that work well at the track do well on the first Saturday in May. Jockey Calvin Borel, aboard in his debut victory last year at the track, won with Street Sense in ‘07 after a bullet work. Cowboy Cal recorded another bullet breeze, 1:00 2/5 for five furlongs. He might do as well on dirt as he has on grass and synthetic surfaces.
9. Smooth Air: Ran second to the Florida Derby winner after finishing third in the Tampa Bay Derby. If you love Big Brown, then you should like the steadily improving son of Smooth Jazz to hit the board.
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A small field of 4 horses will race in Saturday’s $150,000 Withers Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct April 26.
In 2006, the Withers Stakes was won by the eventual Preakness Stakes winner, Bernardini.
The Withers Stakes at 1 miles is one of the final 2008 Kentucky Derby prep races. Three-year-olds horses racing this Saturday at Aqueduct with jockeys and weight line up as follows:
- Harlem Rocker ridden by jockey Eibar Coa carries 116 lbs.
- J Be K ridden by jockey Garrett Gomez, 123 lbs.
- Double Or Nothing ridden by jockey Edgar Prado, 118 lbs.
- Face the Cat ridden by jockey John Velazquez, 116 lbs.
Pick your Withers Stakes winner and join in Horses Wild’s 2008 Triple Crown Contest! Over $1350 worth of prizes to be given away! Sponsored by Bodog Racebook.
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A field of 10 horses will compete in the $100,000 Derby Trial (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, on Saturday, April 26.
Raced at 1 mile, the Derby Trial is one of the 2008 Kentucky Derby prep races scheduled for Saturday. The other Kentucky Derby prep is the Withers Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct.
Three-year-old horses racing in Churchill Downs’s Derby Trial with jockeys and weight:
- Eaton’s Gift ridden by jockey Tracy Hebert carries 123 lbs.
- Lemon Spice ridden by jockey Miguel Mena, 117 lbs.
- Fujita ridden by jockey Calvin Borel, 117 lbs.
- Kodiak Kowboy ridden by jockey Corey Lanerie, 123 lbs.
- Majestic Warrior ridden by jockey Robby Albarado, 123 lbs.
- Macho Again ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux, 117 lbs.
- Da’ Tara ridden by jockey Larry Melancon, 117 lbs.
- Iron Works Pike ridden by jockey Jamie Theriot II, 117 lbs.
- Turf War ridden by jockey Patrick Husbands, 123 lbs.
- Zulu Magic ridden by jockey Jesus Lopez Castanon, 117 lbs.
Pick your Derby Trial winner and join in Horses Wild’s 2008 Triple Crown Contest! Over $1350 worth of prizes to be given away! Sponsored by Bodog Racebook.
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By GREG MELIKOV
I’ve found over the years that it’s better to leisurely handicap the Kentucky Derby for at least a week than start researching on the eve of the first Saturday in May.
Sometimes I take more time when the race appears wide open. Well, this year’s 134th edition is just that.
First, I seclude myself in the quiet confines of my home office after assembling files, which include key preps that I’ve saved along the Road to the Roses dating back to February.
Secondly, I don’t try to assimilate so much information that it confuses rather than helps me. I stick to my general handicapping toolbox that includes speed figures, key races, running styles, distances and track surfaces, plus a couple of new wrinkles each year. I also keep abreast of so-called Kentucky Derby curses.
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For those with Triple Crown aspirations, the $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland on Saturday, April 19, may be their last chance to boost their graded stakes earnings in order to be in the 2008 Kentucky Derby contenders list.
Raced at 1 1/16 miles, Keeneland’s Coolmore Lexington Stakes is one of the final prep races for the 2008 Kentucky Derby which will be run on May 3 at Churchill Downs. Three-year-old horses racing in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes this Saturday at Keeneland with jockeys and weight line up as follows:
- Atoned ridden by jockey Edgar Prado carries 117 lbs.
- Salute the Sarge ridden by jockey Michael Baze, 117 lbs.
- Samba Rooster ridden by jockey Garrett Gomez, 117 lbs.
- St. Joe ridden by jockey Miguel Mena, 117 lbs.
- Racecar Rhapsody ridden by jockey Robby Albarado, 117 lbs.
- Felon ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux, 117 lbs.
- Behindatthebar ridden by jockey David Flores, 117 lbs.
- Tomcito ridden by jockey Jorge Chavez, 123 lbs.
- Big Glen ridden by jockey Rene Douglas, 119 lbs.
- Riley Tucker ridden by jockey John Velazquez, 117 lbs.
- Red Sandy ridden by jockey Jamie Theriot II, 117 lbs.
See the 2008 Kentucky Derby odds from top online racebooks.
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