The most prestigious horse racing event in North America will get underway for the 137th time this May 7, 2011, with one of the most highly anticipated running in the history of the sport. 20 of the most promising three-year-old horses will take to historic Churchill Downs once again, in what is shaping up to be an online sports betting race that could feature one of the most dominant performances in the history of the race. Uncle Mo is the obvious favorite to win the race, as the first leg in the 2011 Triple Crown goes on the 1 ¼ mile track.Favorite
Uncle Mo 10/1
The obvious favorite to win this year’s Derby is Uncle Mo, another Todd Pletcher-trained horse that will get its shot to give him a second consecutive Derby award after his horse Super Saver won the event a year ago. Pletcher has won four straight Eclipse Awards for the outstanding jobs he has done over the years, and has handled Uncle Mo through three first place finishes since last October, including this year’s Timely Writer at Gulfstream Park. A balanced horse that has the speed and endurance to rival any other horse in the competition, Uncle Mo has yet to run a 1 ¼ mile race, which is the only reason why its odds aren’t even better.
Next In Line
Dialed In – 35/1
The winner of this year’s Florida Derby instantly shot up the sportsbook promo charts in terms of odds for this year’s Kentucky Derby, and for obvious reasons. With two wins already in 2011, Dialed In appears to be exactly that after a breakout year in 2010. Owner Robert LaPenta and trainer Nick Zito have already teams up to send three horses to the Derby in past years, but have never finished higher than fifth in any of those races. That should change with Dialed In for 2011.
To Honor And Serve – 40/1
The horse in this pay per head race that was most appropriately bred to run the classic 1 ¼ miles, To Honor And Serve will be among the favorites to at least show at this year’s race. The Bill Mott-trained horse finished third behind Dialed In at this year’s Florida Derby, and could be primed for even more success at Churchill Downs. Mott won his first Triple Crown race with Drosselmeyer at last year’s Belmont Stakes, and will have another experienced rider to rely on in John Valasquez. The Live Oak Plantation hasn’t had a contender in the Kentucky Derby since 2005, but To Honor And Serve will not disappoint.
Dark Horse
Stay Thirsty – 125/1
A longshot to win it all, Stay Thirsty is another sports betting horse that has been trained by Todd Pletcher leading in to this year. A disappointing finish at the Florida Derby hurt its odds for this year’s Kentucky Derby, but with the 2010 Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey on its back in Ramon Dominguez, there is no reason to think that Stay Thirsty won’t be in position to show if it draws a solid post position.
