in Triple Crown Articles

A legend

In what will be a regular feature on BetUS.com, horse racing expert Pete Cataldo will contribute his expertise and insight on the sport of kings. He will deliver readers the knowledge they need in order to make the most of playing the ponies.

Jerry Bailey rode his last mount in the Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes ($ 500,000).

On Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Bailey rode favorite Silver Tree, who is trained by Bill Mott, who has teamed with Bailey for millions of dollars worth of graded stakes winners over his 31-year career.

Silver Tree broke 10th, gained ground along the rail in the backstretch but had to wait for room around the turn, and 45-1 shot Miesque’s Approval came 4 wide to beat Bailey and his mount to the wire.

So Bailey is done, here are some of his achievements;

• He won the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Preakness Stakes twice each.
• He rode Cigar to 15 straight wins. Bailey won 16 NYRA riding titles.
• Dubai Cup four times, Travers Stakes 3 times. Fifteen Breeders Cup wins, Breeders Cup
• Classic 5 times. He was elected to the Hall Of Fame in 1995.
• A classy guy, he will be missed.

The Sunshine Millions is a joint venture between Gulfstream Park in Florida and Santa Anita in California, four races at each track. It was designed to promote the sport in January, usually a very slow month for thoroughbred racing, and it does just that.

This year the Cal Breds won 5 of the 8 races but the Florida Breds won the overall 

Point total 37-35.

The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks future pool open this week, as usual the mutual field opened as the early favorite at 4-1 in the Derby pool and 7/2 in the Oaks.

Here are the top ten early favorites in each.

DERBY…Stevie Wonder Boy 8/1…First Samurai 10/1…Brother Derek 10/1…

Doctor Decherd 15/1…Private Vow 15/1…Your Tent Or Mine 15/1…A.P. Warrior,

Barbaro, Bluegrass Cat, Henny Hughes, Lawyer Ron, are all at 20/1.

OAKS… Folklore 8/1…Diplomat Lady 12/1…Adieu, Balance, French Park, Sensation, 

Wild Fit and Wonder Lady Anne L, are all at 15/1.

How about a parlay, Stevie Wonder Boy and Wonder Lady L?

We’ll keep you posted on all Triple Crown happenings, stay tuned.

Derby day is May 6th.

For horse picks contact me at jrclemente@hotmail.com.