Kentucky Derby Blog

Quality Road Injured

Quality Road won’t feature in Saturday’s Run for the Roses, which is the first jewel in the Triple Crown, after he suffered a crack in the hoof on his right hind foot.

He missed his final workout on Monday at Belmont Park in New York, and was declared out of the race by trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

“We couldn’t train him so we decided we couldn’t run him,” Jerkens said. “He just isn’t sound enough.”

Quality Road was expected to contend for the Derby title after he won three of his first four starts. This included the Florida Derby, an important prep race for Kentucky, in late March.

Online sports handicappers worldwide are making their 2009 Kentucky Derby picks and are wondering who the Kentucky Derby odds favorite will be come post time. With I Want Revenge already getting heavy action at the best online sportsbooks, both Dunkirk and Pioneer of the Nile could also become the Kentucky Derby odds favorites as we approach the May 2nd post time.

Things can changed rapidly when it comes to the Kentucky Derby betting odds and depending on the betting action I Want Revenge could get priced out as a profitable Kentucky Derby betting option. Waiting until Wednesday’s post position draw to learn which horse the Kentucky Derby odds makers may not be such a good decision if your set on I Want Revenge.

Another thing to consider is Garrett Gomez has selected Pioneer of the Nile over Dunkirk and Pioneer of the Nile is currently set with 7/1 Kentucky Derby odds moving from 6/1 in the 2009 Kentucky Derby: Factoring the Weather for Picks and Predictions article.

2009 Kentucky Derby Odds

Papa Clem, who in his last two starts played runner-up to top Kentucky Derby candidates Pioneerof the Nile and Friesan Fire, picked up a major prep win of his own on Saturday when he drove past pacesetter and even-money favorite Old Fashioned to win the Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.

Papa Clem earned $600,000 for his win Saturday, which was more than enough graded money to secure him a spot in the starting gate for next month’s Kentucky Derby. The race has been a goal for the horse, who is named for the late California racing giant Clement Hirsch.

Musket Man won for the fifth time in six starts, captured his second straight graded stakes, moved to 2-for-2 in two-turn races, and was thoroughly impressive winning the $500,000 Illinois Derby by two lengths over Giant Oak.

The dark bay colt, which was only a $15,000 sale yearling, is owned by Eric Fein and Vic Carlson and trained by Derek Ryan.

Ridden by Eibar Coa for the first time, Musket Man raced mid-pack in the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile Illinois Derby while Perfect Song, as expected, took the field of 10 through splits of :23.84, :47.67, and 1:12.30 under Mario Pino. His Greatness pressed the pace in second, while Al Khali and Giant Oak were also close up.

Sent off as the slight favorite, Musket Man paid $7.60, $3.80, and $3.20. The exacta (8-2) returned $29.20 while the trifecta (8-2-5) with 51-1 His Greatness was worth $481.40

The 135th Kentucky Derby is only 2 weeks away. Here is the schedule of top contenders’ training. Download the schedule and don’t miss workout of your derby picks!

Kentucky Derby Training Schedule