Kentucky Derby Gambling - Go Horse Betting 2008

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

Zito thinking positive with 2 Kentucky Derby starters

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)—Only two trainers have sent out more starters in the Kentucky Derby than Nick Zito—D. Wayne Lukas with 42 and H.J. “Dick” Thompson with 24.

Zito is at 19 and set to saddle two more in Saturday’s Derby at Churchill Downs, Cool Coal Man and Anak Nakal. His best 3-year-old, War Pass, is out with an injury, leaving the Hall of Fame trainer hoping one of his colts can pull a huge upset.

As usual, he’s taking a positive approach in trying to win his third Derby. Lukas and Thompson each won four Derbys.



Cool Coal Man and Anak Nakal both have victories over the Churchill Downs dirt “so that’s something in their favor,” Zito said.

“I’m hoping the form (Anak Nakal) had in the Kentucky Jockey Club is something he has in the Kentucky Derby,” he added. “Cool Coal Man also won on the track, so hopefully that’s a good sign, too.”

Zito could use a good sign when it comes to the Derby. He won the 1991 Derby with Strike the Gold and the 1994 Derby with Go for Gin, but is 0-for-16 since. In 2005, he sent out a record-tying five horses, but his best finish was seventh with Bellamy Road.

Cool Coal Man, winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes, finished ninth in the Blue Grass Stakes on Polytrack in his last start. Anak Nakal is 0-for-3 this year, running fifth in the Wood Memorial in his last start.

A FILLY IN THE FIELD

If Eight Belles runs in the Derby, she will be the first filly in the field since 1999, when two ran—Excellent Meeting was fifth, Three Ring 19th.

Three of the 38 fillies who took on the boys won—Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980 and Winning Colors in 1988.

YO ADRIANO

After Adriano won the Lane’s End Stakes over Polytrack at Turfway Park last month, trainer Graham Motion was in no rush to run his colt in the Kentucky Derby.

After all, Adriano had run only once before on the dirt, finishing ninth in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, 17 lengths behind the winner, Cool Coal Man.

“I was trying to make a decision with my head not with my heart,” Motion said. “It’s always easy to get caught up in it a soon as you win one of those races, but I wanted to be sure we were doing the right thing.

“I think after we analyzed it for three or four weeks and talked it over, it became more and more logical.”

Motion was encouraged Sunday that his decision to run was the right one. Adriano hit the dirt for a five-furlong workout, covering the distance in a leisurely 1:00.80 with exercise rider Xavier Azipuru aboard.

“Xavier worked him all winter on dirt and turf,” Motion said. “He said he worked as good or better than he’s worked all year.”

Adriano, a son of A.P. Indy, will be ridden by Edgar Prado.

Motion’s only Derby starter was Chilito, who finished 11th in 1998.

UNBEATENS

Big Brown is set to become the 22nd undefeated horse to start in the Kentucky Derby in the modern era. Six have won: Regret in 1915, Morvich in 1922, Majestic Prince in 1969, Seattle Slew in 1977, Smarty Jones in 2004 and Barbaro in 2006.

Last year, Curlin came into the race with a 3-0 record and finished third. Big Brown is 3-0, too.

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Used By Permission: GoHorseBetting.com
2008-04-28 09:09:16
By RICHARD ROSENBLATT
AP Racing Writer