The Kentucky Derby is one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Each year at Churchill Downs, fans gather for what is always an entertaining race featuring some of the best jockeys and breeds in the sport.
On Saturday, May 4th the 139th Kentucky Derby will continue its long tradition of excellence as this year's race features a wide variety of talent sure to entertain the thousands in attendance and the millions watching from home.
As USA Today reports, Churchill Downs odds maker Mike Battaglia has tabbed Orb - the 2013 Florida Derby champion - as the 7-2 Saturday morning favorite to win the Kentucky Derby.
With the potential for 20 horses to start including the second choice Verrazano, Orb's trainer Shug McGaughey told the USA Today that he is certainly pleased with the early line.
"I think just because of the way Orb has done here, Mike went on and made him the favorite," the Hall of Fame trainer said. Verrazano, as we all know, is a very, very talented horse. We'll see what the public does on Saturday. But I think he'll probably still be the favorite."
While Verrazano is also expected to give the early favorite Orb a run for the title, Goldencents - a 5-1 choice - is also highly regarded around the track.
The 3-year-old won the Santa Anita Derby back in April and also took home the Delta Downs and Sham Shake races in 2013. Led by trainer Doug O'Neill, who won both the Preakness and Kentucky Derby's in 2012 as trainer to I'll Have Another, Goldencents will surely be a hot pick for many before the race begins.
Included in the owning stake of the horse is Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino. Recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Pitino guided the Cardinals to the 2013 NCAA Basketball championship. He'll now wait to see if his 5% ownership of Goldenscents will pay off with another title, this time in the Kentucky Derby.
Assistant trainer to Goldenscents and brother of Doug O'Neill, Dennis O'Neill knows the horse will give the O'Neill family a chance to win another Kentucky Derby.
"Hey, he's the 5-1 in the line," O'Neill said to USA Today.
Heading into the 139th edition of the Kentucky Derby, the O'Neill family has every reason to be confident in the ability of their horse Goldenscents.
As one of the three early favorites to win the race along with Verrazano and the 7-2 favorite Orb, keep a close watch on Goldenscents when the gates open up Saturday.
The prize money will be substantial this year, especially if 20 horses compete in the race. As the USA Today notes, the total purse will amount to well over $2,000,000 with the winner receiving $1.4 million.
See the close finish from the 2012 Kentucky Derby:
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
