Sports

135th Kentucky Derby 2009 at Churchill Downs: Selections and Odds

by Amy Judd | May 2, 2009 at 07:56 am

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The 135th Kentucky Derby takes place today at Churchill Downs, and it's going to be an exciting day for horse racing fans.

The weather is set to rain, but that won't put a damper on the world's most famous horse race, where people will be lining up to place their bets, make their selections, and pick their odds.

The favourite to win the Derby however, 'I Want Revenge' has been taken out of the race today due to a minor ankle injury. So now, the odds are open to anyone's guess.

Here are some predictions of who might be in the running to win this year:

The Best (our top four selections)

Post Horse Jockey Odds

19. Desert Party Ramon Dominguez 15-1

Turned heads with his looks and training efforts this week. Eventually a Dubai-based horse will win this race and this one has all the goods. Outside post won't hurt as it will allow him to get position to effectively use his tactical speed.

6. Friesan Fire Gabriel Saez 5-1

He is bred for the distance, worked spectacularly over the track here and was brilliant in winning the Louisiana Derby. He hasn't raced in seven weeks, but looked fit and sharp this week. Use him in both spots on the exactor.

15. Dunkirk Edgar Prado 4-1

At $3.7 million US, he is the second priciest horse ever to run in the Derby. He didn't race as a two-year-old, which is a huge strike against him. He will be great one day, but perhaps not yet.

10. Regal Ransom Alan Garcia 30-1

Should be a factor on the front end but if the pace is too hot he could be cooked by the time the field hits mid-stretch. May set it up for his stablemate, Desert Party.

SBG Global has posted horse racing predictions odds to win the 2009 Kentucky Derby:

Advice: +3000
Atomic Rain: +5000
Chocolate Candy: +2000
Desert Party: +1500
Dunkirk: +400
Flying Private: +5000
Friesan Fire: +500
General Quarters: +2000
Hold Me Back: +1500
I Want Revenge: +300
Join in the Dance: +5000
Mine That Bird: +5000
Mr. Hot Stuff: +3000
Musket Man: +2000
Nowhere to Hide: +5000
Papa Clem: +2000
Pioneerof the Nile: +400
Regal Ransom: +3000
Summer Bird: +5000
West Side Bernie: +3000

Friesan Fire (pays $500 for every $100 bet at SBG Global ) has established himself as the best "wet track" horse to date. Others include General Quarters (pays $2000 for every $100 bet), Dunkirk (+400) and Nowhere to Hide (pays $5000 for every $100 bet at SBG Global). They don't necessarily like Nowhere to Hide, so don't go gung ho over this one.

Overall, Evan has chosen Pioneer of the Nile (pays $400 for every $100 bet).

Of course, despite hundreds of predictions, it's really anyone's guess who could win.