Todd Pletcher has enjoyed enough good luck to win six Eclipse Awards as horse racing’s top trainer, but all that luck seems to abandon him on the first Saturday each May.
Undaunted by a 1-for-36 record in the Kentucky Derby, Pletcher is back for the 140th running of the race with four horses – more than 20 percent of the field of 19 thoroughbreds.
Led by Arkansas Derby winner Danza at 8-1, the Pletcher contingent includes credible challenger Intense Holiday (currently 14-1 according to the OddsShark.com Derby list) and long shots Vinceremos (50-1) and We Miss Artie (40-1).
“While rookie horse bettors might assume that means he has a 20 percent shot of winning the Run For the Roses, reality is probably much lower because of the calibre of the favourite horse,” said Jack Randall, who writes for KentuckyDerbyOdds.ca.
Indeed, California Chrome continues to lead the Derby odds board at 11-4. He further cemented his chalk status when second betting choice Hoppertunity was scratched Thursday due to a minor foot ailment.
The colt does not have a marquee trainer or stakes-winning lineage but that hasn’t stopped him from winning and winning big. In his last four victories, he legged out a combined 24-length victory over top competition, including a rout in the Santa Anita Derby.
Pletcher and his backers are hoping they have another Super Saver (the Derby winner in 2010) among their group in 2014.
Handicapper Michael Dempsey of TurfnSport.com says there is no significant Canadian content in 2014, unlike past years when horses, trainers or jockeys with Canadian connections have made headlines in Kentucky.
But one of the long-shot horses he is watching followed a similar path that Canadian horse Mine That Bird followed to a huge 50-1 upset win in 2009. Chitu, currently 33-1, comes in off a win at the Sunland Derby, is guided by Hall-of-Fame trainer Bob Baffert who has saddled three Derby winners.
“Another is Ride On Curlin, who has consecutive runner-up finishes on his resume and is carrying jockey Calvin Borel,” said Dempsey. Borel has won three of the last seven editions of the Kentucky Derby, making this horse a threat at 20-1.
Kentucky Derby Post Position and Odds
1 – Vicar’s in Trouble (M. Maker/R. Napravnik) 25/1
2 – Harry’s Holiday (M. Maker/C. Lanerie) 66/1
3 – Uncle Sigh (G. Contessa/I. Ortiz Jr.) 33/1
4 – Danza (T. Pletcher/J. Bravo) 8/1
5 – California Chrome (A. Sherman/V. Espinoza) 11/4
6 – Samraat (R. Violette Jr./ J. Ortiz) 18/1
7 – We Miss Artie (T. Pletcher/J. Castellano) 40/1
8 – General a Rod (M. Maker/J. Rosario) 18/1
9 – Vinceremos (T. Pletcher/J. Rocco Jr.) 50/1
10 – Wildcat Red (J. Garrofalo/L. Saez) 16/1
*11 – Hoppertunity (B. Baffert/M. Smith) 8/1 (scratched)
12 – Dance With Fate (P. Eurton/C. Nakatani) 22/1
13 – Chitu (B. Baffert/M. Garcia) 28/1
14 – Medal Count (D. Romans/R. Albarado) 25/1
15 – Tapiture (S. Asmussen/R. Santana) 18/1
16 – Intense Holiday (T. Pletcher/J. Velazquez) 14/1
17 – Commanding Curve (D. Stewart/S. Bridgmohan) 40/1
18 – Candy Boy (J. Sadler/G. Stevens) 25/1
19 – Ride on Curlin (W. Gowan/C. Borel) 20/1
20 – Wicked Strong (J. Jerkens/R. Maragh) 10/1
Pablo del Monte was offered the final slot based on his point total from 2014 but his handlers declined, in part because he would break from the unfavourable outside No. 20 gate.