There is nothing quite like the Kentucky Derby. Twenty of the finest thoroughbreds in the world will soon gather beneath the mighty Twins Spires to battle in America's most legendary race. Between the anticipation, the thrills, the mystery, and the excitement, the Kentucky Derby is the one race that stands unparalleled to all others.
The elite three-year-olds that have been deemed worthy to run for the roses will soon face the largest field of their lives, and travel a distance foreign to them. The lure and mystery that surrounds this historical event is substantial. There is no way to tell how these young horses will perform until the starting gates open and the race is run. But that is simply part of the charm. With twenty horses to choose from, the Kentucky Derby is one of the greatest betting races, and one of the best opportunities to put together exotic wagers that include talented horses with lofty odds. Every year there are live longshots that get overlooked, but it is important to keep in mind that each horse has earned its place in the gate, and each horse has the potential to have a say in the outcome. This year, there are two longshots in particular that stand out, and they should not be overlooked when selecting horses to use in your exotic wagers.
Lost in the shuffle of the more celebrated names is a horse that has brought consistency, versatility, and an unwavering competitive desire to each and every race. That horse is My Boy Jack. It would be wise not to overlook this colt when putting together your betting tickets on Derby day. On paper, he doesn't appear to be the type of horse that will end up being showered in roses by the end of the race. However, he does have what it takes to hit the board and add value to those who back him in the exotics.
After a sixth place finish on the dirt at the age of two, My Boy Jack moved onto the turf where he experienced three solid runner-up efforts, which included a second place finish in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes. It wasn't until his next start, in the Zuma Beach Stakes, where My Boy Jack finally made it to the winner's circle. His strong win gave his connections the confidence to enter him in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, but the bay colt could do no better than seventh that day.
When My Boy Jack turned three, his connections decided to move him back to the main track. He made his seasonal debut in the Sham Stakes (Gr.3), and ran a very game third behind the highly talented, McKinzie. My Boy Jack traveled to Oaklawn Park next to compete in the Southwest Stakes (Gr.3). Rain had turned the track into a sea of mud, but My Boy Jack took it all in stride. He made a powerful closing move and quickly opened up on his rivals in the stretch, romping away to win with startling ease.
My Boy Jack entered the Louisiana Derby (Gr. 2) after his victory in the Southwest Stakes. Despite enduring an extremely wide trip throughout the entire race, My Boy Jack still managed to put himself in the game. The unflappable colt stretched his massive stride out as far as his legs could extend and closed in on his competition with astonishing determination. It was a fierce and mighty rally that carried him past nearly every single foe. My Boy Jack thundered powerfully into third, but found himself out of time. The finish line was just ahead, cutting his drive short. However, when you look back at the race and see how wide My Boy Jack traveled, and how much ground he lost to his competition, his third place finish is way better than it appears. His courageous rally was nothing short of incredible, and when you take into account the fact that he had to work way harder and run much farther than the other horses, there is no doubt that he delivered a winning effort that day.
In his final Derby prep, My Boy Jack entered the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (Gr.3), at Keeneland. The big, imposing bay tracked behind the field for most of the race, but made a powerful move when the field hit the stretch. With a decisive kick of his legs, My Boy Jack blasted forward with breathtaking acceleration. He zeroed in on the leader and launched his attack, flying closer and closer with every tremendous stride. It didn't take long before My Boy Jack reached the leader, Telekinesis, and challenged him to a duel. It soon became clear that Telekinesis and My Boy Jack were equals in tenacity, and the battle was on. With unwavering determination, the pair relentlessly went at each other, fighting tooth and nail. Neither horse was backing away, and it appeared as if a photo finish awaited. However, as the duo came barreling toward the wire, My Boy Jack found something more. Digging in, My Boy Jack launched himself forward and flung his head in front, declaring victory.
The next stop for My Boy Jack is the starting gate at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. The colt is not on the top of many people's lists, but if you ask me, he has an incredibly live chance to hit the board. My Boy Jack is a gritty and determined horse who thrives off of the thrill of a fight. He is battle tested and consistent, and carries an air of sophistication with him wherever he goes. He has a competitive drive that will undoubtedly take him far in this game.
Another distinct advantage that My Boy Jack will carry into the Derby is the fact that he doesn't mind the stinging kickback of dirt. With twenty horses in the race, things are bound to get messy and chaotic. But for My Boy Jack, that won't be an issue. He is a solid closer who has displayed countless times that he has what it takes to weave through traffic, run through clouds of dirt, and rally with all he has. Overlook My Boy Jack at your own risk on Derby day, because I would be shocked if we don't see his large, dark frame sweeping through the stretch when the field turns for home. Win or lose, My Boy Jack will be there in the end, running for all he's worth.
Another sneaky longshot for the Kentucky Derby is Hofburg. There is an aura of secrecy surrounding this colt, as he has only raced three times. The inexperience will be playing against him for sure as he heads into the biggest race of his life, but despite all that, he is still in with a chance.
Hofburg has displayed flashes of talent throughout his entire career. He ran a game fourth in his debut at Saratoga at the age of two, but wasn't seen again until March, when he made his first start as a three-year-old. Hofburg entered a 1-1/16 mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park. He broke from the far outside post, which is a notoriously difficult position to win from at that track. The odds were against Hofburg, but the young chestnut pulled it off. The nimble colt overcame a wide trip to score convincingly, impressing his connection so much that they entered him in the Grade I, Florida Derby in his next start. Diving directly into a stakes race after only breaking your maiden is a daunting task for any horse, but Hofburg's talent and class that he brought to the race was enough to secure him a place in the Kentucky Derby. As the pace collapsed in the Florida Derby, Hofburg made a powerful move, rushing by all of his foes in the stretch. The lone runner that he could not catch was the ultra-talented, Audible. Running second in a Grade I race against a deep and talented field is something to be proud of. This colt has managed to accomplish a lot in a very short amount of time, proving that he belongs in the Kentucky Derby.
Trainer Bill Mott is not the type of man who will enter a horse in the Kentucky Derby just for the heck of it. Mott will only bring his horses to the Derby if he thinks they have what it takes to compete, so the fact that Hofburg is coming to the Kentucky Derby, despite his lack of experience, screams volumes about the potential that his trainer sees in him. When you stop and look at the this big, red horse, it's easy to see why his trainer holds so much faith in him.
Hofburg has been improving with every start, which means that his upcoming effort in the Kentucky Derby should be his best effort yet, should his trend continue. Another factor to keep in mind is the fact that the Kentucky Derby is likely to have a lively pace, and that bodes well for Hofburg's running style. This horse ate a lot of dirt in the Florida Derby and still closed fast and ran well, so it is highly unlikely that the traffic and the chaos of the twenty horse field of the Kentucky Derby will be his undoing.
Hofburg's pedigree screams distance, so the testing 1-1/4 distance of the Kentucky Derby should be right up his alley. Hofburg is by leading sire, Tapit, and out of the mare, Soothing Touch. Soothing Touch is by Belmont Stakes champion, Touch Gold, which means that Hofburg has class and stamina running strongly on both sides of his family tree. When some horses find themselves wanting when they reach the final, extra 1/8 of a mile in the Kentucky Derby, Hofburg will find himself thriving. Think twice before leaving this horse off of your tickets on race day. He will be passing horses late in the stretch, and bringing value to his backers with every stride.
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