Tag Archives: thoroughbreds

Preakness Stakes Future Odds released by US Racing

2017 Preakness (credit: Maryland GovPics )

US Racing (https://www.usracing.com), an international online horse racing service, today announced future odds for the 144^th Preakness Stakes to be held at Pimlico Racecourse on Saturday, May 18^th.

Country House won the 145^th Kentucky Derby as a 65-1 longshot after the disqualification of Maximum Security on a muddy track at Churchill Downs.

While Country House claimed the first leg of the Triple Crown, he is not installed as the favorite going into the Preakness Stakes. Code of Honor, who finished second place at the Kentucky Derby, has been assigned future odds of 5-2 to win the 2019 Preakness Stakes.

The second leg of the Triple Crown will be televised on NBC with updated information provided by US Racing.

2019 Preakness Stakes Odds

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
1	Code of Honor	Claude R. McGaughey III	John R. Velazquez	5-2
2	Country House	William I. Mott	Flavien Prat	3-1
3	Tacitus	William I. Mott	Jose L. Ortiz	4-1
4	War of Will	Mark E. Casse	Tyler Gaffalione	4-1
5	Game Winner	Bob Baffert	Joel Rosario	5-1
6	Improbable	Bob Baffert	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	8-1
7	Vekoma	George Weaver	Javier Castellano	11-1
8	Alwaysmining	Kelly Rubley	Daniel Centeno	12-1
9	Laughing Fox	Steven M. Asmussen	Ramon A. Vazquez	12-1
10	Owendale	Brad H. Cox	Florent Geroux	14-1
11	Anothertwistafate	Blaine D. Wright	TBA	16-1

US Racing (www.usracing.com) is an award winning, international online horse racing service.

US Racing offers thoroughbred, harness and greyhound wagering content from over 200 of the world’s premier racetracks.

US Racing features race analysis, interviews, free handicapping tips and stories on trainers, jockeys, owners, breeders, horses and new technology and developments in the horse racing industry. US Racing provides reviews and promotions of racebooks, OTBs and ADWs companies worldwide. No wagering of any form takes place at US Racing.

The goal of US Racing to entertain, educate and inform people about the sport of thoroughbred horse racing.

US Racing is privately held with offices in Hong Kong and the Isle of Man.

Can Horse Racing Continue To Ride Recent Success?

By Joe Favorito

A long-awaited Triple Crown, record purses and exposure for The Breeder’s Cup, an uptick in brand innovation, digital media and fans of the sport. The year 2015 was certainly a good one for the sport of horse racing in the United States. With the Kentucky Derby on the horizon, what can be built off of last year?

We caught up with Stephen Panus Vice President of TJC Media Ventures and America’s Best Racing, to hear what’s coming down the track.

Q: As we head toward Triple Crown season, how does horse racing keep riding the momentum of American Pharoah?

A: 2015 was an amazing year for the sport of Thoroughbred racing as American Pharoah’s Triple Crown and Grand Slam winning feats endeared the sport to an entirely new generation of fans who witnessed first-hand the excitement, passion and thrills that horse racing offers. There haven’t been back-to-back Triple Crowns won since 1977-1978, so like NBA fans watching to see if the Golden State Warriors can repeat as NBA champions in 2016, the sports world will also be watching to see if history can repeat itself, once again, in horse racing. A deep and talented field of 20 talented racehorses, led by favorite Nyquist, is ready to pick up where American Pharoah left off and provide a national televised audience (NBC Sports) and a crowd in excess of 170,000 at Churchill Downs with a scintillating Run for the Roses on the first Saturday in May.

Q: Several brands, Burger King for one, jumped on the bandwagon, has there been more interest in brand activation because of last year’s excitement?

A: Most definitely. Vanity Fair and Longines are co-hosting a Kentucky Derby party in Louisville this year. Breathe Right has partnered with this year’s favorite, Nyquist. Vineyard Vines will be activating a sponsorship at the Kentucky Derby on the infield again this year. Racehorse owner and founder of BODY ARMOR Mike Repole, whose horse Outwork will be running in this year’s Kentucky Derby, will be leveraging the opportunity to promote his energy drink brand. For the luxury attendees, Sentient Jet will provide attendees with tickets in The Mansion access to book private travel to and from Louisville with the help of a private concierge team, among other benefits. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be hosted November 4-5 at Santa Anita Park, continues to attract sponsors as well, like E*Trade, Maker’s Mark, Sovaro Coolers, Longines, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Uber and Lyft, among others.

Q: Celebrity involvement in racing also seems to be on the rise. Who are some of the new faces engaged in the sport?

A: Celebrities have long been attracted to the sport of Thoroughbred racing because it’s fun, social, communal and thrilling. A day at the races is a social event and a great sports experience. Kate Upton, Elizabeth Banks, Bobby Flay, Jim Rome, Bode Miller, Rob Dyrdek, Eddie Olczyk and Kenny Mayne are just a few notable personalities who are engaged in the sport. Just weeks ago, John Elway spent a beautiful afternoon at Keeneland enjoying the races and Scottie Pippen attended a Thoroughbred sale in Florida. The list of celebrities attending this year’s Kentucky Derby appears bigger than ever and is topped by Jon Voight, Megyn Kelly, Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson and New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton, among others. Also, Tom and Gayle Benson, the owners of the NFL New Orleans Saints and NBA New Orleans Pelicans, have two horses (Mo Tom and Tom’s Ready) racing in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

Q: We are all about digital and social these days; how has the sport stepped up its game? What have been some of the best results?

A: No different than other sports, horse racing has fully embraced the digital and social media channels and platforms available to make the sport more available and consumable for the sports fan. America’s Best Racing remains the go-to site for the new and casual fan offering gambling tips, how-to videos, race previews, in-depth video series’ and ABR Wired features taking the fans behind the scenes, fashion advice, pop culture tie-ins, cheat sheets for the biggest races and events throughout the year and lots more. Horse racing, like other live televised sports, avails itself nicely to the varied social channels using Periscope video to capture what the TV camera often doesn’t, animated discussion and debates and different gambling perspectives and insights shared via Twitter and Facebook, SnapChat stories centered around the major events, photography features tailored-made for Instagram and Pinterest and gambling features on Twitch.tv to educate and entertain soon-to-be and existing horse racing fans on key race days. Only four years old, America’s Best Racing has quickly amassed a highly engaged Facebook audience of 147,208.

Q: The Breeders Cup continues to be an intriguing asset, how has that brand overall expanded in recent years and what’s next for 2016?

A: Well said. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is one of the best major sports and entertainment events held annually in America. It offers everything for the modern sports fan over two days – fantastic gambling, high fashion, great horse races featuring the best racehorses from around the world, celebrities, and delicious food and cocktails. And similar to the Super Bowl, the week leading up to the Breeders’ Cup is replete with parties, soirees, culinary experiences and an ownership seminar designed to attract new owners into the sport.

This year’s edition will be hosted by Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, CA) on November 4-5 and televised live by NBC Sports Group. The 2017 Breeders’ Cup will also be hosted in Southern California, at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, founded by Bing Crosby in 1937. The 2018 Breeders’ Cup returns to Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. The Breeders’ Cup continues to grow in popularity – both with fans and sponsors. If you’ve never been, I highly encourage one and all to add it to their must-experience list.

On top of that, the Breeders’ Cup will have a series of “Win And You’re In” Challenge races televised this summer and fall by NBC Sports Group, featuring many of the best races horses and the best race tracks, thereby extending the television coverage straight from the Triple Crown through the summer and early fall leading directly to the World Championships.

Q: The issue of Daily fantasy and sports gambling continues to be a hot button; how does that discussion help or hurt the position horse racing has in this country with regard to legal gambling?

A: With the rise in popularity of daily fantasy sports, the negative taboo formerly associated with sports gambling has dissipated. And America has long loved to gamble on sports. Horse racing remains the only sport you can legally wager on from your phone or mobile device. It’s ideally suited to take advantage of this digital and mobile generation who consumes content and uses mobile devices to interact and engage in every facet of their life. As such, I think this represents an opportunity for horse racing to welcome a new generation of fans into the sport.

Q: Who are some of the personalities to watch as we head toward Churchill Downs this spring?

A: Another impressive field of twenty 3-year-old Thoroughbreds will be in the starting gate for the 2016 Kentucky Derby. To learn more about each of the horses and their connections – jockey, trainer and owner(s) – including the odds and whom to gamble on and why, along with all the latest news, notes, and more, visit www.AmericasBestracing.net

Q: What was the biggest long-tail effect that last year’s Triple Crown win has on the sport from a business standpoint?

A: Well, it’s spring 2016 and the media is still writing, reporting and talking about American Pharoah, who now stands at stud at Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky. And anticipation for the upcoming 2016 Triple Crown races appears very high. One of the biggest takeaways from American Pharoah’s historic sporting feat is that fans and sponsors alike were re-introduced to one of America’s original sports and reminded that it very much holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the modern sports fan. Interest, attendance and media coverage in the sport throughout the races occurring after American Pharoah’s victory at Belmont Stakes remained heightened. And that interest and excitement is being propelled forward into the 2016 Triple Crown season and will be carried all the way to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in November.

America’s Best Racing recently launched a successful 4-episode ABR Films series chronicling “Where American Pharoah Learned To Be A Racehorse.” The first three episodes can be viewed here, and the fourth and final episode premieres this Thursday, April 28.

Joe Favorito is a well respeced veteran strategic media, communications and business professional in spots and entertainment marketing.

American Pharoah’s Next Run in NY or NJ?

By Terry Lyons, Contributing Columnist, The Daily Payoff
@terrylyons

The suspense is killing me. When will American Pharoah run? Just tell me, please, when and where.

The horse racing world is abuzz this week as fan speculation on the whereabouts of Pharoah’s next race is being fueled by a considerable amount of old-fashioned lobbying.

Since thoroughbred owner Ahmed Zayat’s initial statement two days after The Belmont Stakes, the odds-on favorite for the Triple Crown winner’s next race was The Haskell at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. However, a June 18th social media posting by Zayat turned the racing world upside down when the horse owner cryptically tweeted, “right know Saratoga is in the lead. Head of Haskell.” (sic).

That post might have the folks at TVG, known as America’s #1 online horse wagering and TV network, scrambling for a PR flack re-write as the broadcaster had previously issued a press release, complete with Betfair odds on Pharoah’s next run, which stated:

4-to-5 – August 2 – Haskell Invitational, Monmouth Park (NJ)
4-to-1 – August 1 – Jim Dandy Stakes, Saratoga (NY State)
4-to-1 – August 22 – TVG Pacific Classic, Del Mar (San Diego, California
7-to-1 – August 29 – Travers Stakes, Saratoga
16-to-1 – September 26, Awesome Again Stakes, Santa Anita
20-to-1 – August 29 – Mystic Lake Derby, Canterbury Park (Minnesota)
20-to-1 – September 19 – Pennsylvania Derby, Parx (Bensalem, PA)
33-to-1 – September 26 – Jockey Club Gold Cup, Belmont (New York)
10-to-1 – “The Field” also known as Any Other Race

“American Pharoah won the nation’s heart when he crossed the finish line at the Belmont Stakes to end the 37-year wait for a Triple Crown champion,” said Kip Levin, CEO of TVG. “His time in the spotlight is hardly over, however, as he is expected to hit the track once again. The real question on everyone’s mind is, ‘Where will he race next?’”

As American Pharoah was shipped from Kentucky to California for a “promotion and appearance” at Santa Anita, the speculation swung from Monmouth to Del Mar to Saratoga over a 24-hour span.

“I’m intimately involved with all the goings on,” said Dennis Drazin, advisor to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association, to Stephen Edelson of the Asbury Park Press. “It’s a lot of money. But at the end of the day, what I would say is that (trainer Bob) Baffert is a top horseman, and regardless of the money, you have to do the right thing for the horse. And the right thing for the horse is to run at Monmouth Park against straight 3-year olds. You don’t want to attack older horses at this point.

“The ultimate goal is the Breeders’ Cup Classic and you have to plan for him getting to that race,” said Drazin to the APP. “The Haskell, although it’s not a walkover, it’s the right kind of race. It’s straight 3-year olds on a track he’ll love. Baffert’s been a winner seven times (at The Haskell).”

Immediately after the perfectly-timed Zayat social media post, the twitterverse exploded with further speculation and Drazin declined comment to his Asbury Park pundit.

American Pharoah is now looking at his non-racing public appearance at Santa Anita in California for the track’s Gold Cup day on June 27. Importantly, the colt’s breeding rights have already been secured by Ashford Stud in central Kentucky’s bluegrass country and his stud fees will range between $175,000 and $200,000, placing a conservative $17.5 million for annual fees, according to numerous published reports.

The plan for trainer Bob Baffert and owner Ahmed Zayat will remain secret as they field requests from “all kinds of tracks,” according to Baffert. Last weekend, American Pharoah returned to Churchill Downs, site of the colt’s Kentucky Derby win, and was applauded by 30,000, just for a stroll in the park.

“We won’t know for a few weeks,” said Baffert to the Asbury Park Press. “We want to do what’s best for American Pharoah, not what is best for the racetracks.”

Certainly, what is best for all, including the Triple Crown winner, is to continue to fuel interest in the sport of kings while his keepers fuel speculation and keep the industry in the national news. But, as they decide what is best, the victims of that campaign might just be race track ticket buyers who scramble for admission and attempt to make their summer travel plans, whether it be to Monmouth, Saratoga or maybe, Del Mar,

For more information on the TVG press release on Odds:
https://www.tvg.com/press-releases/63866

American Pharoah’s Jockey Key to Horse Racing Success?

By Joe Favorito @JoeFav @TheDailyPayoff

American Pharoah captured the imagination of the sports world when Victor Espinoza rode the Bob Baffert-trained/Zayat Stable-owned three-year-old colt to rousing victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes to become the first Triple Crown king since 1978 when Affirmed and jockey Steve Cauthen turned the “hat trick.”

American Pharoah became the 12th Triple Crown champion in history on Saturday, June 6, with his emphatic Belmont triumph, after 13-straight Derby/Preakness winners were thwarted in the third jewel at Belmont.

As the sun came up Sunday, the champion horse was getting ready to return to his stable down south, with the plans for what’s next still to be determined. There was a short victory lap of media, but the window of shots with horse in tow closed very fast, until the plans for when the American public, and the racing world, can double down on the horse once again. Saratoga this summer? The Breeders Cup?

In short, this is the problem horse racing has. The short window of excitement comes and it goes – ESPN’s radio host Colin Cowherd rammed this point home this week on his show – , and while The Jockey Club and some of the new leaders of horse racing are trying to extend the window and keep fans engaged, it competes with the likes of the NBA Finals, The Stanley Cup, baseball, and whatever else is right in front of us on screens and social media.

Springing onto the scene is a new face of racing, however, who can hopefully keep the heartbeat pumping.

Victor Espinoza, the telegenic, light-hearted, philanthropic-minded, storytelling jockey who rode the legendary horse to the Triple Crown dream can be that savior. While brands like “Wheels Up” and Monster Energy took the ride last Saturday at The Belmont, it was Espinoza who delivered the sponsor messages.

When Monster got eased out of some tight shots on NBC, Espinoza found a way to work the brand back into the conversation with some humorous and well-timed mentions. When the New York Mets needed a first pitch this week to celebrate the big race just outside Queens, Espinoza was on the mound. When talk shows, any talk show, wanted to talk about the race, he was there again, smiling and re-telling the tales to an audience that was interested and engaged, whether it was a morning show or Charley Rose.

For the longest time media types have tried to push the jockey story as the one the American public can successfully grab on to as the horse racing season unfolds. Many come from very diverse backgrounds, they are constantly on the go, they have to deal with very challenging health issues and a wide variety of personalities from trainers to owners, the taste the agony of defeat probably more than the thrill of victory, and their multi-ethnic backgrounds can appeal to a diverse audience.

Espinoza, with a winning pedigree and now a crowning success, is the great example of what can be done with an elite group. With the proper messaging they can deliver brand value, and they are the constantly visible billboard for traditional advertising with little limits. While they may not have huge amounts of downtime, for the right price their schedule is manageable, as they are treated like independent contractors, and their hardscrabble life, and the living in the fast lane on many days, can even appeal to a younger generation.

There has been some attempt at reality shows around jockeys in the past, which met with various degrees of success. Now with the implement of micro-cameras, digital technology and social media the access and the storytelling around jockeys can be even greater, and they themselves present the constant for racing when even the brightest and best horses come and go during their short racing periods.

Have jockeys become celebrities in the past? On occasion we got a Lafitte Pincay, a Julie Crone, a Ron Turcotte, an Eddie Arcaro, a Rosie Napravnik or a Gary Stevens, but for the most part the jockeys, especially the majority who are Latino, get lost in the mix. Maybe with the story and the engagement of Espinoza, that ability to cross over, something that matches the changing demo of the American population, may be changing, and with that change comes the rise of crossover stars that help the industry bridge the gap until fans cast their eyes back to the track.

It was a great weekend for racing, one that was extended by the rider of the legendary horse, an athlete who is becoming a brand on to himself, and someone who is maybe giving us a peek into a new breed of engaging and interesting personality, with a view from atop such majestic animals.

ODDS ON AMERICAN PHAROAH WINNING “GRAND SLAM”

By Frank Scandale @FScandale @TheDailyPayoff

The dust hasn’t even settled at Belmont and odds makers in Vegas are setting the Triple Crown winner American Pharoah up for another big payday.

With American Pharoah becoming the 12th horse to ever win the coveted Triple Crown, Las Vegas oddsmaker William Hill announced the odds of the thoroughbred winning, OR losing the Breeder’s Cup Classic in October.

William Hill said it would be the first time a horse has won a “Grand Slam” with a win at the Breeder’s, the richest horse race in North America.

William Hill Race & Sports Book has opened YES/NO Prop wagering on “Will American Pharoah win the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic” at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The YES opened at 3/1 (+300) with the NO at 5/18 (-360). In the event that American Pharoah does not race in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic, “NO” is the winner.

In layman’s terms, At YES, 3/1 (Racing Odds) or +300 Sports Odds, a bettor who wagered $20 today would win $60 on October 31^st plus get their original $20 that they wagered back.

On the NO bet, 5/18 (Racing Odds) or -360 Sports Odds, a bettor wagering $20 today would win $7.20 on October 31^st plus get their original $20 that they wagered back.

The Sports Odds are typically written to represent a $100 wager. +300 odds on a $100 wager equals a $300 win + $100 original wager returned. -360 odds is what the better would need to wager to win $100. So a bettor who wagered $360 on the NO would win $100 plus get his original $360 wagered back.

However, at William Hill in Nevada, the minimum sports wager is $2.

American Pharoah owner and New Jersey resident, Ahmed Zayat shared Monday on MSNBC’s Morning Joe Show that the Triple Crown winner’s next race would “probably” be the $1,000,000 William Hill Haskell Invitational on August 2 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. American Pharoah’s Trainer, Bob Baffert, has won the William Hill Haskell Invitational a record seven times, including last year with Bayern, who went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

As for whether American Pharoah will even run in the Breeders, a mile and a quarter race, Stephen Panus, vice president of America’s Best Racing, sees the fact that it is even a possibility as a boon to the sport.

Stephen Panus with son Jake, 11.

“Just the fact that this Triple Crown champion race horse is pointed towards racing more through the 2015 toward the Breeders’ Cup is an amazing opportunity for the sport to welcome and embrace many new and soon-to-be racing fans who all now desire to get a glimpse of American Pharoah,” Panus said.”At the moment, the focus is some well-deserved R&R for this Triple Crown champion.”

Panus also sees the next race to be the Haskell in Monmouth Park, NJ, and perhaps Saratoga in late August for the midsummer derby, The Travers and/or The Jockey Cup Gold Cup at Belmont Park or Super Saturday at Santa Anita in late September to possibly be in play, before heading to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. For now, it’s one race at a time.

“But we all hope and certainly have our fingers crossed that he will run at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the richest horse race held on American soil with a purse of $5M, ” he said.

Horse racing ambassador and Churchill Downs host Joseph Kristufek puts his money on American Pharoah running in October, as well, noting with Shared Belief sidelined, he’s the best dirt horse in the world right now by far. Shared Belief was diagnosed with a hip fracture in April.

Agreeing the odds William Hill is quoting are fair, Kristufek is unwavering in his support for the champ.

“When it comes to over racing, every horse is different,” he explained. “This horse is an absolute machine. He could probably run again tomorrow.”

Success of Road to the Triple Crown Ad Series Spurs Sequel

By @TheDailyPayoff

The last in a series of four ad videos promoting the Triple Crown quest was released by America’s Best Racing following a successful campaign that saw more than a quarter million views.
As American Pharoah launched the first leg of the Triple Crown with his victory at the Kentucky Derby last week, ABR said it will unveil a sequel series entitled #RoadtoTC during the two weeks leading up to the second leg of the race trilogy, the Preakness Stakes.
Episode 4 produced by ABR Films entitled “The Road Less Traveled: The Road to the Triple Crown,” can be seen here:

The ABR launched the series as a way to promote interest in the horse racing industry using a series of ads that tugged at the heart strings and presented captivating visuals.
The Triple Crown was last won in 1978 when Affirmed won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. Now American Pharoah is in the position to do it again.
The Preakness on Saturday, May 16.

Episode 1 can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAxtFGM05bw

Episode 2 can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TfYQYTocAo

Episode 3 can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns_esR_RXZQ

Kentucky Derby Top 10 Best Bets

By Jerry Bossert @jerrybossert for @TheDailyPayoff

The Kentucky Derby, the most exciting two minutes in sports, will be run this Saturday for the 141^st time before an estimated crowd of 160,000 people at Churchill Downs and another 16 million watching on television. Nearly $130 million will be bet on the race and here’s a look at my top 10 contenders for the “Run for the Roses.”

Upstart – Born in New York, this colt has quickly risen up the Derby trail as he’s never finished off the board from seven starts, winning three times. His ability to lay close to pace and still have plenty left to kick home makes him dangerous. ODDS: 18-1.

Materiality – Has tons of ability winning all three of his career starts but has to overcome the curse of Apollo (1882), who remains the last horse never to start as a 2-year-old and win the Derby. ODDS: 12-1

Dortmund – One of the Top Favorites at Posttime

Dortmund – He’s probably going to be the second-choice in the wagering, having not lost from six starts and he already owns a win at Churchill Downs. His trainer Bob Baffert has won the race three times and his father, Big Brown, won the Derby in 2008. ODDS: 6-1.

Based on his Monday workout, American Pharoah moves into the top favorite spot.

American Pharoah – Worked super at Churchill on Sunday and will likely go off as the favorite having won his last four starts going away, giving Baffert the top two betting choices in the field. Last year, he was voted the champion 2-year-old colt and this year he’s won both of his starts easily but was facing overmatched opponents. ODDS: 5-1.

Frosted – Closed at 40-1 in the final Derby future bet but will be a much shorter price in the Derby after winning the Wood Memorial, snapping a three-race losing streak. Prior to the Wood, the colt underwent a minor operation to correct a breathing problem and now with a clear throat he may be heard loudly on Saturday. ODDS: 40-1.

Firing Line – If you like Dortmund, you have to like this speedy colt as he finished second beaten only a head the two times they’ve met. Away from Dortmund, Firing Line rolled, scoring by over 14 lengths in the Sunland Derby. ODDS: 13-1.

The colt with the natural diet

Mubtaahij – If it’s hay, oats and water you want for your Derby winner, this is your colt as he will be the lone starter not to race with Lasix, the anti-bleeding medication that has flooded American racing. This will be his first start in America after racing in the desert in Dubai. ODDS: 8-1.

Carpe Diem – Maybe money can buy your way into the Derby as this horse cost $1.6 million to purchase. He’s earned $1.5 million so far on the racetrack and will try to seize the day in a big way on Saturday. ODDS: 10-1.

International Star – Will become an international star if he prevails in America’s most famous horse race on Saturday. Has won his last three starts but is stepping up in company, which may put out his flame. ODDS: 17-1

Tencendur – Was listed at 11-1 in the final Derby future pool as part of the mutuel field but will be a much bigger price on Saturday being on his own. He still has an outside chance to light up Broadway for owner Philip Birsh, the CEO of Playbill, after finishing a much improved second in the Wood Memorial. ODDS: 11-1.