LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Cliff’s Edge is the narrow favorite over undefeated Smarty Jones for Saturday’s 130th Kentucky Derby, perhaps the most open Run for the Roses since 1982.
The Cliff’s Edge was named the 4-1 choice yesterday over Smarty Jones (9-2) by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia. Maryland’s Tapit (8-1) was the only other entrant rated less than 10-1. Not since long shot Gato Del Sol’s 1982 upset over 18 rivals has the line been so diverse.
“I don’t think there will be a clear favorite,” said The Cliff’s Edge trainer Nick Zito. “This could be the best betting Derby ever.”
Certainly, it will be one of the more debated with no standouts and few throwouts. Expected contenders Rock Hard Ten and Eddington were even denied entry in the 20-horse maximum field because of fewest graded stakes earnings in the largest Derby field since 1984. The first wet track in 10 years may confuse handicappers further.
Zito’s two Derby victories and a superior speed figure from his Blue Grass Stakes victory April10 influenced Battaglia’s choice. However, Smarty Jones will gain support after winning all six starts despite modest stakes that trainer John Servis labeled “the route of least resistance.”
Battaglia’s line may be debated among bettors down to 50-1 long shot Birdstone. Zito, who also trains Birdstone, joked that Battaglia was falsely inflating the price on the once highly regarded juvenile colt who lost his last start.
“That’s crazy — no way he’s 50 to 1,” Zito said. “[Battaglias] trying to put his kids through college.”
While the post position draw didn’t provide any bad starting slots for top contenders, Tapit trainer Michael Dickinson wasn’t thrilled over No.18. The late runner can afford an outside start and not lose too much more ground than usual, though.
“It’s a long way out there,” Dickinson said. “It’s by the hot dog stand. We’d prefer to be close to the rail.”
When Master David trainer Bobby Frankel asked why Dickinson didn’t pick No.1 or No.2, still available when Tapit’s camp picked 16th, the British trainer replied, “I didn’t want to be that close to the rail.”
Smarty Jones is the expected front-runner barring a long shot trying to steal the race. The colt has never been worse than third or trailed entering the stretch. How quickly he paces the early fractions of the 11/4-mile race could determine whether he’ll have enough to repel a typical late charge by The Cliff’s Edge.
“What Smarty Jones does will dictate the race,” Frankel said.
Servis picked No. 15 in the outer starting gate to provide Smarty Jones with a cleaner start, given that no horse is directly inside him.
“Being the first horse in the auxiliary gate leaves a little margin for error if he comes out awkwardly,” Servis said.
Final works
Action This Day and Imperialism worked three-eighths mile in their final tuneup. Action This Day covered it in 35 1/5 seconds while Imperialism finished in 38 seconds.
Action This Day seeks to become the first 2-year-old champion to win the Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979. He has lost three straight since the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Oct. 25, but trainer Richard Mandella said acupuncture has helped the colt’s back problems.
Imperialism has poor sight in his sunken right eye, which may explain his constant traffic problems. However, the late runner won two stakes before finishing third in the Santa Anita Derby on April 3.
Staying put
Maryland jockey Ramon Dominguez won’t leave for the more lucrative New York or California circuits anytime soon. The nation’s winningest rider in two of the last three years said he’ll remain on the Pimlico-Laurel circuit indefinitely.
“Regardless of how well you’re doing on the East Coast, when you take the next step you’re starting over again,” Dominguez said. “I’m not afraid of making that change, but I don’t feel it’s the right time. It would be a premature move for me.”
Dominguez, who will ride Tapit in his first Derby, finished eighth, 13th and seventh in the last three Preaknesses. Tapit’s owners refused to consider an experienced Derby rider over Dominguez, who has won numerous Maryland stakes.
Jockeys may not ride
Jockeys John Velazquez and Jose Santos said they might not ride in the Kentucky Derby, depending on a judge’s ruling today on whether they can wear ads during the race.
A group of jockeys challenged the state law banning advertising, promotional or cartoon symbols. In a second suit, the jockeys argued they should also be allowed to wear a patch with the name of their union, the 1,100-member Jockeys’ Guild.
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