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Friesan Fire's 2009 Kentucky Derby odds were listed at 5/1 (or +500) at SBG Global. These were the same odds issued by Churchill Downs on Wednesday and Gambling911.com sees these odds perhaps being shortened further.
"According to Bloodhorse.com, Friesan Fire's profile was the most sought after on Wednesday," disclosed Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com.
In Friesan Fire, trainer Larry Jones and owner Rick Porter have one of the top contenders in what could be a 20-horse field, writes Bill Ordine of the Chicago Tribune.
Along with three straight wins in stakes races, including the Louisiana Derby, the bay colt completed a one-mile workout on April 19 at Keeneland in 1:39.60. To put that in perspective, Hard Spun took the same workout mile in 1:42 before the Derby. That's about a 12-length difference, Jones pointed out.
Lady Luck hasn't exactly been kind to the duo. Their entry last year, Eight Belles, had to be euthanized on the track after going down with two broken ankles. This year's other entry, Old Fashioned, was taken out of contention due to a knee injury.
"We've had a lot of good luck, we've had a lot of bad luck, but to get there, believe me, it's not all skill," Porter said. "We had bad luck with Rockport Harbor, we had horrendous luck last year [with Eight Belles] and now Old Fashioned. But I know we belong this year with Friesan Fire, just like we did last year."
Mike Jensen, Staff Writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, agrees that Friesan Fire has very strong odds of winning the 2009 Kentucky Derby.
Yesterday (Monday), Friesan Fire had the fastest workout of the day and maybe the week, going five furlongs in 57 4/5 seconds. "Amazing," said one veteran turf writer.
Jensen also points out that for much of this year, Friesan Fire was overshadowed by another Jones horse, Old Fashioned, since the other Porter-owned colt was undefeated and No. 1 on a lot of Derby lists until he lost last month in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Old Fashioned then finished second April 11 in the Arkansas Derby. After that race, Old Fashioned was found to have a slab fracture in his front right leg and was retired.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
