2009 Kentucky Derby Preview
by Patricia Woo | Apr 27 2009
In stark comparison to last year, this year's Kentucky Derby - and along with it, the
Triple Crown series - is up for grabs. With no monster standout like Big Brown leaving everyone wondering who to put second and third in their exotic wagers, choosing among the list of 2009 Kentucky Derby entries can seem daunting. Here is a quick and easy guide to the top contenders (I Want Revenge, Pioneerof the Nile, Friesan Fire), a potential sleeper (Desert Party) and a longshot (General Quarters) so you can bet on the Kentucky Derby with confidence.
Top Contenders: I Want Revenge (11/4), Pioneerof the Nile (6/1), Friesan Fire (13/2)
I Want Revenge is unbeaten since switching from a synthetic to a dirt track. Since being beaten at Santa Anita Park in February by Pioneerof the Nile and Papa Clem, I Want Revenge and regular rider Joe Talamo have combined for two straight victories at Aqueduct, romping in the Gotham Stakes in March and taking down the Wood Memorial in April despite a rough start. The Stephen Got Even colt has looked calm and confident at
Churchill Downs and will be tough to beat.
Pioneerof the Nile has never raced on dirt, but that hasn't stopped him from looking superb in workouts at Churchill Downs this week. Undefeated this year, Pioneerof the Nile has made huge strides in his ability to focus from gate to wire - a quality that was lacking early on this season. The only question remaining is whether his form will translate from synthetic to dirt.
Also unbeaten this year, Friesan Fire hasn't raced since his triumph on March 14 in the slop at Fair Grounds in the Louisiana Derby but if the rain keeps falling at Churchill Downs, that experience on an off-track will be advantageous come Derby day. What may be a disadvantage is that Friesan Fire has not raced outside of Fair Grounds since December 2008 and could find the transition to Churchill Downs difficult.
A quick note about Quality Road: Like Big Brown last year, Quality Road won the Gr. 1 Florida Derby - and developed quarter cracks in his hooves. Unlike Big Brown, however, Quality Road's injuries will prevent him from racing in the
Kentucky Derby.
Potential Sleeper: Desert Party (16/1)
Desert Party was heralded as Godolphin Stable's greatest Derby hope when he beat highly regarded stablemate Vineyard Haven in the UAE Guineas in February. But after running flat and losing to stablemate Regal Ransom in the UAE Derby in March, Desert Party was largely discounted. But since arriving at Churchill Downs, the Street Cry colt has sparkled in workouts and could be gearing up for an upset.
Longshot: General Quarters (28/1)
If you like the underdog, look no further than the sentimental choice, General Quarters. Trained by 75-year-old Thomas McCarthy, General Quarters clinched a berth to the Kentucky Derby with his upset victory in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 11. The colt has looked energetic in workouts and may just get a storybook ending to his Cinderella tale.
*Odds subject to change.
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