Bettors Get Early Start
Horse players will get their own form of a Valentine’s Day gift this morning.
At 9 a.m., local bettors will be able to start making future wagers for the Kentucky Derby, which will be run on May 4 at Churchill Downs.
This is the fourth year the future wager has been offered, but the first time it has been available in California.
On the morning line posted by Churchill Downs, the field, which includes all other 3-year-olds not mentioned among the top 23, is the 4-1 favorite. The second choice at 6-1 is Siphonic, the Hollywood Futurity winner who was a troubled second in the Santa Catalina Stakes in his first race of 2002 for trainer Dave Hofmans.
Johannesburg, who remained unbeaten in seven starts with his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last fall in New York, is 10-1 as are Repent and Came Home.
Danthebluegrassman, arguably trainer Bob Baffert’s best chance to get to Kentucky, is listed at 30-1, along with Easyfromthegitgo, High Star, Nokoma, Political Attack and U S S Tinosa, who won the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita six days ago.
No Derby hopefuls are entered today at Santa Anita, but one unbeaten horse will try to remain that way.
Soup N’Crackers, who has won both his races, will try two turns for the first time in the second race. She is the 3-1 second choice in a race in which Daddy’s Gold, who broke her maiden on Jan. 20, is the 2-1 favorite.
Race of the day: Ten 3-year-old maiden fillies will sprint about 61/2 furlongs on the turf. Lady Katy Did, who is bred for the grass and chased repeat winner Shameful last month, is the 5-2 favorite on Jeff Tufts’ morning line.
Who’s hot: Geana Dawn. A 4-year-old filly trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, she will try for her fourth consecutive win at Golden Gate Fields today.
Who’s not: Miss Indian. The 3-year-old, Oklahoma-bred filly has been beaten a combined 44 lengths in her two races and will be a huge price again today in the fifth race at Oaklawn Park.
Exotically speaking: A pick three using Lady Katy Did, Sultry Sound, Chez La Femme and Fan Appeal in the third, singling Ben Saw San in the fourth and using Catfit, Shining Britely and Girl Talk in the fifth.
Winners: Previous Day/Meet Total: 0/105. Money: Previous Day/Meet Total: $0/$645.40. Total money bet: $612.