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Several days ago, prior to the post positions being announced, the folks at BetUS.com came up with their 2009 Kentucky Derby power rankings. It's interesting that a few long shots appeared among the Top 5 at that time and not a whole lot has changed since then.
Not surprising was I Want Revenge sitting atop the Kentucky Derby power rankings.
D.S. Williamson of BetUS.com:
"4 to 1 on a horse in a race three weeks out might seem like short odds, but if I Want Revenge keeps his form and is able to duplicate his incredible victory in the Wood Memorial, he might be the best horse to enter the Kentucky Derby starting gate in a very long time. The colt won by 8 ½ lengths in the Gotham before coming from 7 ½ behind, and then getting momentarily stopped in the lane, in the Wood Memorial. Such versatility is rare in horses these days. He's the deserving favorite going into the Kentucky Derby"
I Want Revenge's odds have since shortened to 3 to 1 of +300.
Pioneer of the Nile is a 2009 Kentucky Derby contender we've discussed quite a bit over the past week here at Gambling911.com.
"The Santa Anita Derby winner doesn't have the best speed ratings out of the contenders, but once he switches to dirt he might improve enough to challenge I Want Revenge in the Kentucky Derby. The son of Empire Maker is also a versatile sort that could be peaking under the careful hand of three time Kentucky Derby winning trainer, Bob Baffert."
Quality Road was listed third in the BetUS.com Kentucky Derby power rankings but has since bowed out due to injury.
Most interesting of all were the remaining top 5 horses in their power rankings: Regal Ransom at +2500 odds. These were the same odds listed at the time BetUS.com published their power rankings.
"I still believe that out of the two Godolphin invaders the winner of the UAE Derby, Regal Ransom, is the better pick than his stable mate Desert Party. Not only did Regal Ransom win the UAE Derby, but he's sired by Distorted Humor, the sire of 2003 Kentucky Derby winner, Funny Cide. Both Regal Ransom and Desert Party are now in Kentucky and both of them have a shot to wear the roses in the First Saturday in May."
Papa Clem has been widely spoken about as well, yet the payout would now be $2000 for every $100 bet compared to $1200 when the BetUS.com 2009 Kentucky Derby power rankings were initially determined.
"There is going to be some debate as to who is the better horse, Papa Clem, who won the Arkansas Derby, or General Quarters, who won the Bluegrass Stakes. I'm going with Papa Clem because he went wide around the first turn in the Arkansas Derby, contested the pace for the first half mile, dropped off the pace, and then ran past Old Fashioned in the lane. Papa Clem is a definite up and comer who deserves serious consideration for Derby honors."
In Gambling911.com's opinion, BetUS.com has some of the best betting options available on the 2009 Kentucky Derby at press time early Friday morning.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
