2009 Kentucky Derby Picks

Written May 1, 2009 by Black Widow

2009-kentucky-derby-picks Unlike last year’s battle at Churchill Downs, the 2009 Kentucky Derby is up for grabs. There is no monster standout like Big Brown leaving everyone wondering who to put second and third in their exotic wagers. So choosing from the list of 2009 Kentucky Derby contenders can seem like a daunting task to say the least. But if you get it right, you can bring down some serious cash in the most prestigious race in the world. I’ll give you my 2009 Kentucky Derby Picks and Predictions below to help you in having a better chance to succeed when placing your wagers at the pay window. I have also listed a potential sleeper and a longshot if you want to throw them into the mix as well.

1.) Win Horse: I Want Revenge (3/1)
I Want Revenge is unbeaten since switching from a synthetic to a dirt track. After being beaten at Santa Anita Park in February by Pioneerof the Nile and Papa Calm, two other Derby Contenders in this year’s field, I Want Revenge and regular jockey Joe Talamo have combined for two straight wins at Aqueduct. This combo romped through the Gotham Stakes in March and took down the Wood Memorial in April despite a rough start. This Stephen Got Even colt has looked calm and confident at Churchill Downs and will be very tough to beat once again on a dirt track.

2.) Place Horse: Pioneerof The Nile (4/1)
Pioneerof The Nile has never raced on dirt, but that hasn’t stopped him from looking amazing in workouts at Churchill Downs this past week. Undefeated in 2009, Pioneerof The Nile has made big strides with his ability to focus from gate to wire. This quality was lacking earlier in the season, but now the only question remains is if his form will translate from the synthetic to the dirt.

3.) Show Horse: Friesan Fire (5/1)
Another unbeaten horse this year, Friesan Fire, hasn’t raced since his victory on March 14th in the slop at Fair Grounds in the Louisiana Derby. But that experience on an off-track could come in handy if the rain keeps falling at Churchill Downs. One big disadvantage that will keep this pony from winning the Derby will be that he hasn’t raced outside of Fair Grounds since December 2008 and he could find the transition to Churchill Downs difficult.

4.) Potential Sleeper: Desert Party (15/1)
Desert Party was praised as Godolphin Stable’s greatest Derby hope after beating highly-regarded stablemate Vineyard Haven in the UAE Guineas in February. But after a flat run and loss to stablemate Regal Ranson in the UAE Derby in March, Desert Party had been largely discounted. What makes this a great sleeper pick to win the 2009 Kentucky Derby is that Desert Party has sparkled in workouts at Churchill Downs and could be gearing up for an upset.

5.) Longshot: General Quarters (20/1)
When looking at the Kentucky Derby, it’s usually not safe to look past 20/1 odds. General Quarters started out as a 28/1 dog when the lines came out, but handicappers and bettors from across the country have quickly taken notice of this horse, and for good reason. If you like the underdog, look no further than the sentimental choice, General Quarters. He is trained by the 75-year-old Thomas McCarthy and clinched a berth to the Kentucky Derby with an upset victory in the Blue Grass Stakes April 11th. This colt has looked energetic in workouts and could just cap off a storybook ending to his Cinderella tale come May 2nd.

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