When it comes to horse racing, you know it’s a great race when it is known world wide. Races that come to mind include the Melbourne Cup, Arc de Triomphe and of course the Kentucky Derby, and it is the Derby that will be run and won this weekend for the 142nd time. The iconic race stops America and the racing world, and is regarded as the best two minutes in sport.
Back Me: The favourite for the race is 13 Nyquist (Best Odds: $4.00), a Doug O’Neill trained galloper that is unbeaten in seven career outings and is already a four time Group l winner. It must be said that the 2016 Derby field is one of the weakest of the modern era, and the times and ratings he has produced are a fair way below the likes of American Pharoah and California Chrome. He is up to the 2000m for the first time, but he has beaten several key runners here previously and should take some beating.
Big Danger: The main threat will be 17 Mor Spirit (Best Odds: $15.00), trained by the recent master of the Derby, Bob Baffert, and to be ridden by a legend in Gary Stevens. He started favourite in the Santa Anita Derby and just didn’t handle the sloppy track at all. The start prior in the San Felippe, he just had to do too much out the back but his effort behind Danzing Candy was very good. He will appreciate a strong tempo and Bob Baffert is in white hot form at the moment.
Roughie: 14 Mohaymen (Best Odds: $10.00) ran against Nyquist in the Florida Derby in early April and on face value was disappointing in running fourth, but his form prior was very good and he did start $2.20 in that race alongside Nyquist, and now you can get five times the price here. Stable love to win the big feature races across the world and the Shadwell Stables are yet to claim this great race.
