Plenty of good story lines to follow as we approach the 2010 Kentucky Derby, but it’s going to be hard to beat the favorite. In fact, it looks like Eskendereya will go off as the shortest priced favorite since Point Given’s 8:5 several years ago. Oh yeah, Point Given lost.
Eskendereya looks scary good if you check out his past performances. Most noteably, the last two, when he dusted two stellar fields by a combined 19 lengths, and was widening the distance on them all, which suggests he can go longer with ease.
The overwhelming favorite brings me to the next story line. His trainer, Todd Pletcher, is 0 for 24 in the Derby. That Susan Lucci-like streak has to end some time. And it looks like Pletcher has 6 of the 20 starters in the Kentucky Derby this year. Maybe 7 after this weekend’s Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.
Another interesting thing shaping up this year is the battle to make the field. Only the top 20 graded-stakes money earners make the field for the Derby. Last year, it was relatively easy to get in. You could make the field with only $50,000 in earnings. This year it’s extremely competitive. Jackson Bend, for examply, is not in yet, despite the fact he’s finished no worse than 2nd in all 9 career races, the last 3 being high-paying graded stakes.
And it’s also encouraging this year to see the old-time favorites back in action, with viable horses. Bob Baffert is back with Lookin At Lucky, who will be the second choice in the betting. And Nick Zito and D. Wayne Lukas are also back with good horses. In fact, it could be interesting, as the old school trainers try to extend rival Todd Pletcher’s streak from 0 for 24, to 0 for 30.
