133rd Kentucky Derby Betting

Can one of Todd Pletcher’s five 3-year-olds reward the leading money-winning trainer since ’05 with his first Kentucky Derby victory? Can any of the five horses coming off layoffs five weeks or longer become the third to score in 51 years? Will you be sipping on a Mint Julep and watching it all unfold? Of course you will.

These are some of the questions concerning runners in Saturday’s 133rd Derby.

Which horse will step up if Mother Nature continues to rain on Churchill Downs from Thursday through Saturday as forecast?

Here are the pros and cons of my Top Baker’s Dozen, from No. 13 to the most likely contenders to visit the winner’s circle:

Zanjero: One of four horses that haven’t won a stakes race, but the only thoroughbred of the quartet that hit the board in all of his preps this year. Only two previous Derby winners in four decades have jumped that hurdle.

Stormello: Beaten twice this year stretching out to 1 1/8 miles, the running style of Stormy Atlantic is being changed by trainer Bill Currin from running on or near the lead in his nine-race career to stalking. Kent Desormeaux seeks his third victory in 14 Derby rides.

Tiago: Mike Smith and John Shirreffs, the same jockey and trainer that steered Giacomo to victory in ’05, look to repeat with the son of Pleasant Tap. The colt would be the first to do so with four career outings in 89 years.

Any Given Saturday: His preps were disappointing, but he hit the board in both after battling close up until mid-stretch. Garrett Gomez, top money-winning jockey since ’06 hoping to score in his fourth attempt, will guide the son of Distorted Humor for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Circular Quay: He comes off an eight-week layoff – three more than ’06 champ Barbaro. The Louisiana Derby winner hasn’t traveled beyond 1 1/16 miles. Pletcher’s main man John Velazquez, winless in seven attempts, will guide the son of ’95 Derby victor Thunder Gulch.

Curlin: The good - Son of Smart Strike won three straight by a total 28 ½ lengths. The bad - One of likely post time choices will be ridden by Robby Albarado, winless in eight tries at Louisville. The ugly - He must overcome historic barriers like no unraced 2-year-old has scored in 115 years and the last to succeed off three career starts came 92 years ago.

Great Hunter: He could recover from the horrible fifth-place finish in the Blue Grass, as his pedigree indicates he can run all day. But no horse that finished that far off the board in Derby preps has scored in a half-century. Corey Nakatani hopes 13th attempt to win will be lucky.

Scat Daddy: Son of Johannesburg is the only 3-year-old to post two graded stakes wins at 1 1/8 miles. Although taking a five-week break since winning the Florida Derby, he did capture the Grade 1 Champagne off a nearly six-week layoff last year. Edgar Prado seeks to repeat his winning ride on Barbaro for Pletcher. The colt is the top rated contender bred to run well on an off track with a victory in the mud.

Dominican: Is son of El Corredor improving or does he prefer synthetic surfaces, since he’s 3-for-3 on them? Ramon Bejarano, aboard his two stakes triumphs, hopes to improve on two off-the-board performances at Churchill Downs where he has won several riding titles.

Street Sense: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champ that destroyed four top Derby contenders at Churchill Downs has looked as good working six months later at the track. Trainer Carl Nafzger saddled ’90 Derby winner Unbridled. The son of Street Cry, with Calvin Borel trying to win in his fifth attempt, has only two preps, but is bred to go 1 ¼ miles.

Hard Spun: Successful formula of speed and stamina produced an outstanding record of 5 for 6, including four triumphs in stakes. Only knocks: Son of Danzig didn’t face leading contenders and comes off a six-week layoff. Regular jockey Mario Pino rides in his first Derby.

Cowtown Cat: Another son of Distorted Humor sent out by Pletcher hasn’t received much press, despite capturing two straight stakes. His Illinois Derby victory reminds me of War Emblem, who romped in ’02, last of three Derby winners saddled by Bob Baffert. Jockey Fernando Jara seeks his first win in twp tries.

Nobiz Like Shobiz: His pedigree is dominated by 2-year-olds than ran better at age 3. Son of Albert the Great has a winning profile: two graded stakes victories at 1 1/8 miles -- in the Wood Memorial this spring and in the Remsen last fall -- three Derby preps and lightly raced with a 4-1-1 record in six starts. Trainer Barclay aims to duplicate Funny Cide’s ’03 winning performance with Cornelio Velasquez going for his first Derby victory.

Keep checking the Locker Room all through the Triple Crown season, as we will cover the trainers, horses and jockeys in each race. You can get your early Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs bets in now in the BetUS sportsbook in the Future / props section, under *133rd Kentucky Derby.

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