Kentucky Derby Power Rankings: Three New Shooters Enter the Power Rankings

The final two important Kentucky Derby preps have been run. Both the Bluegrass Stakes and the Arkansas Derby were won by huge long shots. The Bluegrass Stakes was won by a 40 to 1 shot named Stately Victor.

Already the argument has ensued regarding Stately Victor’s chances of winning the May 1st Kentucky Derby. I believe that he has a huge shot. So much so that I’ve instituted him at #6 on my power rankings.

The winner of the Arkansas Derby, Line of David, made the power rankings as well, but I’m not sold on his chances to win the Run for the Roses. Read on to find out why.

Kentucky Derby Power Rankings

**Odds listed in racebook

1. Lookin’ At Lucky +400 – - Baffert and Gomez buried the hatchet and the best three year old I’ve seen in years will go into the Kentucky Derby with every member of his team on the same page. Gomez retains the mount. Sure, on paper it looks like Eskendereya is going to thump him, but I don’t think so. Lucky has the right style to win this year’s Derby. I love the odds in the horse racing sportsbook.
2. Eskendereya +250 – - Tracking cheap pace-setters, like he’s done so far this year, has made him look unbeatable, but try those same tactics against Sidney’s Candy and Line Of David and he could get burned on the First Saturday in May. That’s the issue, isn’t it? He’s looked great against suspect competition?
3. Sidney’s Candy +750 – - He’s going to have to track the pace in the Derby which means that he’ll have to change tactics but he’s obviously talented and is moving in the right direction. Also, he’s been wiring good fields over Pro-Ride. He might be even better on dirt. His stable mate, Line Of David, certainly is.
4. Mission Impazible +2500 – - Impazible is the second Todd Pletcher trained horse to show up in the power rankings. Impazible appears to be rounding into top form after winning the 1 1/8 mile Louisiana Derby this past Saturday. I write rounding into form because I believe that Mission Impazible could get even better. The next time we see him, he’ll be in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby.
5. Stately Victor +3000 – - Yes, the Bluegrass Stakes is run over Polytrack but he’s out of Ghostzapper, who won the Breeders’ Cup Classic over dirt, and a Dynaformer mare which means that he can run all day long. Maybe, he’s coming into his own and he won the Bluegrass with ease, pulling away from the field without a care in the world. This could be the horse that long shot bettors have been looking for. At this point, I have to endorse big time and say that he only gets better. He’s a player.
6. Ice Box +2000 – - His connections decided to skip the Arkansas Derby and that might be a good thing. Ice Box will train up to the Kentucky Derby and even though that usually doesn’t translate to a victory, his trainer, Nick Zito, has won the Derby before. His style is perfect for the Derby which makes him a logical contender.
7. Endorsement +2000 – - I’m still not sold on the son of Distorted Humor because from what I saw in the Sunland Derby is that he lied behind the speed and then took over once the speed horse lost some steam. That’s not too impressive. The Derby is going to be much tougher for this guy, but if things go his way he could be a suitable key horse as he will be close to the pace and is bred to love the 1 ¼ mile distance which means he could finish in the top 3 or top 4.
8. Awesome Act +1400 – - Sure, he bombed in the Wood Memorial but he was due for a let down after his awesome performance the race before. Act should still be considered for a bet because he still has a 2-2-2 record out of 7 lifetime races and should be able to sit further behind the pace in the Derby than he did in the Wood Memorial.
9. Super Saver +3000 – - Jockey Calvin Borel let Line Of David get away with easy fractions in the Arkansas Derby which is why Super Saver lost the race. He’s bred to love the 1 ¼ mile distance being sired by Maria’s Mon and out of an A.P. Indy mare. At least they tried to rate him in the Arkansas Derby which is one of the reasons he’s on the power rankings.
10. Line Of David +2500 – - He makes the list because he won the Arkansas Derby but let’s be honest, he’s probably an underlay on Derby Day at 50 to 1 odds. Yes, he’s fast but he’s not as fast as stable mate Sidney’s Candy and he’s going to feel a lot of pressure come the First Saturday in May. He’s got a ton of heart, though, so if he gets away with soft fractions he could hang on for a very long time on May 1st.

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Written by admin · Filed Under Horse Racing Betting