2009 Kentucky Derby Betting Guide
Written April 30, 2009 by Jack Jones
The Kentucky Derby has been thrilling specators since 1875. The race is the first of three legs in the Triple Crown horse racing series. No horse since 1978’s Affirmed has won the Triple Crown, which consists for the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. As a matter of fact, only 11 horses have ever won the triple crown (see Triple Crown winners below). Many horse have come close, including last year when Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes before coming up short in the Belmont. This year’s race is set to feature 20 horses, but do any of them have what it takes to win the Triple Crown?
Triple Crown Winners: Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), Affirmed (1978)
Kentucky Derby Facts
Distance: 1 1/4 mile
Location: Churchill Downs – Louisville, Kentucky
Purse: More Than $2 million
2008 Kentucky Derby Results
Winner: Big Brown. Out of gate 20. Ridden by K. Desormeaux. Trained by Richard Dutrow Jr.
Place: Eight Belles. Out of gate 5. Ridden by G. Saez. Trained by Larry Jones.
Show: Denis of Cork. Out of gate 16. Ridden by C. Borel. Trained by David Carroll.
The 2009 Kentucky Derby Field (Odds)
Advice (30-1): Won the Lexington Stakes in April. Is running on two weeks rest and has only raced once on a dirt track, finishing 5th.
Atomic Rain (50-1): Last three races have been poor performances and this one will be even more challenging.
Chocolate Candy (20-1): 9 races lifetime. Has not raced on dirt, however gained respect with a great workout on Tuesday.
Desert Party (15-1): One of two horses in the Kentucky Derby owned by Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, who really wants to put a winner in the derby this year. Bought for $21 million dollars from Big Brown’s owner. His work pattern is considered very good.
Dunkirk (4-1): Comes into the Derby with a top owner and trainer. Has been compared to last year’s winner, Big Brown.
Flying Private (50-1): Finished just 5th in the Arkansas Derby, but trained by Hall-of-Famer, D. Wayne Lucas.
Friesan Fire (5-1): Trained by Larry Jones, who was the trainer for Eight Belles, last year’s runner-up in the Kentucky Derby. Has prepared well on dirt.
General Quarters (20-1): Heavily run with 11 starts already. Won the Blue Grass Stakes.
Hold Me Back (15-1): Will be ridden by two-time Derby-winning jockey, Kent Desormeaux. Has only raced once on dirt, finishing 5th.
I Want Revenge (3-1): Reared and was bumped at the start of the Wood Memorial and came from last to win the race. A real threat to win the Kentucky Derby if he runs in the middle of the pack early.
Join in the Dance (50-1): Has a reputation for being a front-runner, which makes longer races (like the Derby) difficult.
Mine That Bird (50-1): Last place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last October. Has finished poorly in two races since then, and will face stiffer competition on Saturday.
Mr. Hot Stuff (30-1): Has never raced on dirt. Has only won one race. Considered a come-from-behind threat if the pace is hot.
Musket Man (20-1): Has won at 4 different dirt tracks, including a win at the Grade 2 Illinois Derby.
Nowhere to Hide (50-1): Has not won against stiff competition. Trained by Nick Zito, who has a history of training Triple Crown race winners.
Papa Clem (20-1): Inside position should help his running style. Won the Arkansas Derby.
Pioneer of the Nile (4-1): Another horse that has never raced on a dirt track. Trained by Hall-of-Famer, Bob Baffert, and owned by Zayat Stables, one of the sports most competitive owners.
Regal Ransom (30-1): The other horse owned by Sheikh Mohammmed. Good work pattern, but a Dubai-based horse has yet to win in the Kentucky Derby.
Summer Bird (50-1): Lightly raced, but looked good in the Arkansas Derby, his most recent start.
West Side Bernie (30-1): Inside post position isn’t best for this horse, but good experience and a jockey that has won the race before (Stewart Elliot, Smarty Jones, 2004) should help.
Bodoglife has this year’s Kentucky Derby Odds posted and they have options to wager on the event in any way you can imagine. Plus, if you head there now you can take advantage of their free $50 in casino chips just for betting on the Derby.
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- Beginner’s Guide to Betting the Kentucky Derby
- 2009 Kentucky Derby Predictions
- 2009 Kentucky Derby Picks
- Tips for Betting the 2009 Kentucky Derby
- 2009 Kentucky Derby Props
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