Specialists from The Put up and Motion Community handicap Saturday’s 151st operating of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Put up time is roughly 6:57 p.m.
Vic Cangialosi
New York Put up racing handicapper
1. Sandman: Sluggish starter. Quick finisher.
Couldn’t rise up in time to win the Insurgent however wouldn’t be denied within the Arkansas Derby.
Misplaced contact with the pacesetters earlier than powering by all of them within the stretch.
Deep closers will invariably get into visitors hassle within the 19-deep Derby.
If the Tapit-sired grey can keep clear whereas staying in the identical space code because the front-runners, the Sandman will make a run and put this area to sleep.
2. Baeza: You gotta be in it to win it.
And two days earlier than the Run for the Roses, No. 21 will load the gate after Rodriguez scratched. However this isn’t Wealthy Strike 2.
The 80-1 shot drew within the morning of the race and shocked the racing world.
Baeza has an actual probability after operating his eyeballs out within the Santa Anita Derby, solely to lose to the fast-closing Journalism.
Quick résumé. Huge probability. And no higher rider than Flavien Prat.
3. Journalism: The horse to beat as a result of he refuses to lose.
He’s gained 4 straight and appears to get higher with each begin.
Overcame some early hassle to catch Baeza within the Santa Anita Derby.
High type. High fig (102). However the prime decide? Legit favourite will make his presence felt however come up a bit brief.
Michael Leboff
New York Put up betting author
1. Journalism: Journalism gained’t be the perfect betting worth on the board, however should you’re placing odds apart, he’s probably the most logical decide to win.
When the one actual knock towards a horse is that the Kentucky Derby is tough to win, you already know you could have a deserving favourite.
2. Luxor Cafe: It’s changing into a time-honored custom to fall for a formidable horse delivery in from Japan, and I’ll do it once more this yr with Luxor Cafe.
His win on the Fukuryu Stakes was as easy a efficiency as you’ll ever see.
Perhaps that is the yr for Japan.
3. Chunk of Gold: Perhaps not a win contender, however a horse to maintain in your pocket for exotics due to his means to choose up the items late.
He’ll be passing a variety of tiring horses down the stretch if he will get a great journey.
Mike Conti
Motion Community racing handicapper
1. Luxor Cafe: Ships over from Japan, the place he’s gained his final 4 begins.
His sire is American Pharoah, who gained this race again in 2015.
He has a powerful late kick, which will likely be key in a race with a variety of early tempo.
2. Journalism: The deserving morning-line favourite is available in with the very best last-out Beyer Velocity Determine (102).
Whereas he appears to be like to be probably the most gifted horse within the area, he’s overwhelmed simply 12 horses in his previous three begins mixed.
He might want to beat 18 others within the Derby.
He’s bred prime and backside to get the space and has a ferocious closing kick. For Journalism, it’ll all come right down to the journey.
3. Ultimate Gambit: He’s by no means raced on filth however gained the Jeff Ruby Stakes final day out.
Within the final 22 years, 5 horses who gained the Jeff Ruby have hit the board.
He’s a deep nearer, coming from final to win in his most up-to-date begins.
If the tempo melts down, search for him to return flying late.
