| Derby Favorites: Can Dunkirk & Edgar Prado give 1st Derby win to Todd Pletcher? |
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| Written by Steve Hastings | |||||||
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Friday, 01 May 2009
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 It is no secret that Todd Pletcher has the worst record of any trainer in the Run for the Roses, going 0-21 overall however he might just have his best chance with Dunkirk. The odds makers at internet racebook SBG Global have Dunkirk listed at +400 odds (Bet $100 win $400) making him one of the top Derby favorites running at Churchill Downs. "I don't see Dunkirk being green at all,” stated trainer Todd Pletcher about Dunkirk’s chances as one of the Derby Favorites. “He's been very professional in all three of his starts. He's had a lot of traffic and dirt in his face and has been inside, outside and behind horses. So I don't think greenness is an issue. He's very well educated for a lightly raced horse.'' Legendary jockey Edgar Prado will be riding Dunkirk from the 15th post. Prado rode fan favorite Barbaro to a 6.5 length victory in the 132nd Kentucky Derby back in 2006. Barbaro was pulled up following a major ankle injury during the Preakness Stakes two weeks after winning the Derby and subsequently was euthanized in January 2007. All that is behind Prado, who is hoping to secure his second Derby win on Dunkirk. “The day he broke his maiden, he made me say aloud ‘I think I just watched the Derby winner,’ something I haven't said in several years,” stated VegasInsider.com Horse Racing Expert Anthony Stabile when asked to comment on Derby favorites including Dunkirk. “He's done little wrong in such a short amount of time and is seasoned beyond his three race career. “Dunkirk may be the most talented three-year-old in the field, but he lacks seasoning and figures to get either knocked around or forced to go very wide,” stated Horse Racing Expert James Scully when asked to comment on the 2009 Derby Favorites. “It's a lot to overcome for the one-run closer, but the $3.7 million purchase may be good enough to do it. Trainer Todd Pletcher is going to win a Derby eventually (0-for-21 so far), and Dunkirk gives him a big chance to get over the hump.” Stabile continued: “I really would have liked Gomez to stay here as I can't remember a top-notch rider like Prado go into a funk like this ever. A major, major player.” SBG Global has posted horse racing odds to win the 2009 Kentucky Derby: Advice: +3000 Atomic Rain: +5000 Chocolate Candy: +2000 Desert Party: +1500 Dunkirk: +400 Flying Private: +5000 Friesan Fire: +500 General Quarters: +2000 Hold Me Back: +1500 I Want Revenge: +300 Join in the Dance: +5000 Mine That Bird: +5000 Mr. Hot Stuff: +3000 Musket Man: +2000 Nowhere to Hide: +5000 Papa Clem: +2000 Pioneerof the Nile: +400 Regal Ransom: +3000 Summer Bird: +5000 West Side Bernie: +3000                        |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 01 May 2009 ) | |||||||