Up to Triple Crown Betting Trends

in Triple Crown Betting Trends

Finally in this very important week of Kentucky Derby preps, we got some prices for us bettors. There were four races of major importance. Here is what I saw as we get closer to Churchill.

Tampa Bay Downs
The Tampa Bay Derby, $250,000 Grade III at 1 1/16 miles. The winner was Deputy Glitters, paying $18.80, ridden by Tampa Bay’s leading rider Jose Lezcano. Glitters laid second most of the way and drew off in the stretch to win.

Glitters was beaten by Saturday’s favorite Bluegrass Cat four weeks ago, but Bluegrass Cat faltered coming into the stretch, and got going again before the wire but it was too late.

The final time was 144.2, so Bluegrass Cat’s stock took a dive and Deputy Glitters' moves up a notch on the road to Kentucky. The next stop for these two will be the Wood Memorial or the Bluegrass Stakes.

The Gotham Stakes
At the Big A, $200,000 Stakes at 1-1/16th miles. A very good field here, the winner, Like Now, paid a whopping $74.50 for a two- dollar win bet. Like Now ridden by Jara Fernando, lead gate to wire over a strong bunch. Keyed Entry ran second and Sweetnorthernsaint was third. Both ran well and are still major contenders for the upcoming Derby.

This was a big test for Sweetnorthernsaint, as he faced stakes horses for the first time andran a big race staying close the entire way. The winner Like Now was going more thansix furlongs for the first time and he held on. Achilles of Troy returned lame after the race and was injured and finished out of the money.His future is now in doubt. The final time for the race was 143 flat.

The Rebel Stakes
At Oaklawn Park. Grade III $300,000 at 1 1/16th miles. The winner Lawyer Ron was really impressive, paying $5.60 to win. Lawyer Ron, John McKee up, came from behind proving he could, and he did it like it was easy. He camefour wide at the top of the stretch and drew away to win handily. Lawyer Ron’s trainer Bob Holthus also trained the horse that ran second, Red Raymond. So a $240,000 payday was in order for their connections.

Private Vow, a winter book favorite for the Kentucky Derby, made his first start in the Rebel.He showed he REALLY needed this race, as he stayed close to the pace but faded to the back of the pack in deep stretch. He will improve after today, but we only havesix weeks to the Derby. It was Private Vow’s first start since November of ’05.

Santa Anita
The San Felipe Stakes at 1-1/16th miles for a purse of $ 250,000 and Grade II. The winner here was AP Warrior, and he looked great. He held off two challengers in deep stretch and paid $17.00 to win. Point Determined closed well and finished second.

Next stop for these two will be the Santa Anita Derby. Both had plenty left at the wire and are ready to go the classic 1-¼ miles.

AP Warrior’s trainer John Shirreffs, just acquired this horsesix weeks ago and has him in top shape. The final time was 142.4 for the 1-1/16th miles.

So we add the names Like Now, AP Warrior, and Deputy Glitters to a wide open derby trail with justsix weeks to go to the Run for the Roses.

It looks like we can scratch off Achilles of Troy for now.I’m still keeping my eye on Sweetnothernsaint to see if he can progress and stay with the “Big Boys”.

This week’s Derby prepps  Saturday, March 25: the Private Terms Stakes at Laurel 1- 1/8 miles, the Lane’s End Stakes at Turfway 1 -1/8 miles and the Rushaway Stakes also at Turfway at 1 1/16 miles.

Overseas in the UAE

The UAE Derby will be run at Nad al Sheba at 1 -1/8 miles.

Furlongs

427 horses were nominated for the Kentucky Derby by the January 21st early deadline.Are you one of the ‘lucky’ punters who got in on the Kentucky Derby future Pool #1? AP Warrior was 20-1, and Keyed Entry was 30-1, Point Determined was also 30-1, and best of all Lawyer Ron was 20-1. They all have a great shot!

Pete Cataldo can be heard every Wednesday at 3pm EST on www.BetUSradio.com. To reach Pete for more on the ponies, email jrclemente@hotmail.com.