Kentucky Derby preps provide few clues

Horseracing Betting Lines

04/15/2008 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The favorite in the Santa Anita Derby finished fifth. The favorite in the Wood Memorial got edged at the wire. The favorite in the Illinois Derby finished fifth. The favorite in the Blue Grass Stakes finished 10th.

Of the final six major prep races for the Kentucky Derby this year only two favorites hit the wire the first. Big Brown went wire to wire in the Florida Derby and Gayego pressed the pace before taking the Arkansas Derby.

Of the results the most disappointing was Pyro never running in the Blue Grass Stakes and jogging under the wire 10th. Most railbirds are throwing the race out because it was Pyro's first start on an artificial surface.

"I asked him for run around the turn to try and set myself up pretty good and I didn't get the response I was hoping for," said Pyro's jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. "I realized on the turn that it just wasn't going to be his day."

In the Santa Anita Derby second choice Colonel John put on a rally down the stretch to nip Bob Black Jack for the win. The favorite El Gato Malo never posed a threat, suprising jockey David Flores.

"Some days they don't have it, and this was one of those days," noted Flores. "When they go to the next level, they have to prove that they're the right horse, but he didn't have it today. Maybe he bled. I don't know. I have no idea. The horse was traveling real nice. I got him out with perfect timing at the three-eighths. I let him move up just a little bit. He just didn't have the extra kick that I was expecting from him."

Denis of Cork was another favorite that did not respond when asked by his jockey. A victory in the Illinois Derby would have put Denis of Cork among the favorites for this year's Run for the Roses,

"We had a good trip and when I asked him at the 3/8ths pole," jockey Julien Leparoux said. "I thought he was ready to go. He kept going but there was no kick to get there."

In the Wood Memorial, War Pass needed a win in convincing fashion to put him at the top of the Kentucky Derby contenders list. He set the pace, but tired late when Tale of Ekati caught him at the wire.

"It's sad that we didn't win because he is a champion," said Nick Zito, trainer of War Pass. "It would have been wonderful to win the Wood Memorial. I'm still glad with the way he ran, he wasn't up the track. There were no excuses."

A speed horse like War Pass does not appear to have the ability to go the 1 1/4 miles of the Kentucky Derby.

Big Brown's eye opening win in the Florida Derby has him the current favorite for the Run for the Roses.

"We've got a Kentucky Derby contender," Big Brown's trainer Rick Dutrow exclaimed. "It's a long way off, and a lot of things have to happen right, but I expected him to run just like what we saw. All I have to do is stay out of his way. I let him do what he wants."

"He's a major talent," jockey Kent Desormeaux said about Big Borwn, "possibly the best horse I've ridden. I thought that after the first time I rode him. I'd have to say that he's my (Kentucky) Derby horse."

Jockey Mike Smith is on his way back to Churchill Downs with Arkansas Derby champ Gayego. Smith knows his way to the winner's circle at the Louisville track. Three years ago he guided Giacomo to victory in the Run for the Roses.

Smith feels he has a legitimate contender in Gayego.

"My horse showed he could handle the dirt," Smith said, "and he also showed me that he will have no problem getting the 1 1/4 miles in Louisville."

Expect 20 three-year-olds to start in the 134th Kentucky Derby. One of those starters might be a filly. Other than that expect the unexpected on the first Saturday in May.

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MySportsbook.com: NBA Championship Odds

With the playoffs about two months away, the top two teams in the Western Conference are the clear cut leaders to win the NBA Championship. The Dallas Mavericks have the best record in the NBA (44-9) and have been absolutely scorching since the second week of the season.  What makes the Mavs’ record more impressive is the fact that they dropped their first four games of the season.  Currently they have won 17 out of their last 18 and are MySportsbook.com’s favorite (2-1) to win it all.  Right behind the Mavs are the Pacific leading Phoenix Suns (39-13).  Last season, the Suns lost in the Conference Finals to non-other then the Mavericks four games to two.  Of course the Suns were without center Amare Stoudemire who has is averaging 19.9 PPG and 9.5 RPG since coming back from his knee injury.  Unlike the Mavs, the Suns have struggled a bit lately having lost their last three and four out of their last seven.  Of course the main reason for their three straight loses is due to the absence of two time MVP Steve Nash, who is out with a shoulder injury.  Heads-up, the Mavs have beaten the Suns in both of their meetings this season.

In the Eastern Conference, the Pistons (32-19) are the favorites to win it all at 6-1. The addition of Chris Webber seems to have been a good move for the Pistons.  Since coming over from the 76ers, Webber has averaged 13.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG and the Pistons are 11-4.  Even though the defending champion Heat are currently on the playoff making cusp, they are the Eastern Conference team that is getting the most action to win it all (9-1).  The fact that Shaquille O’Neal is back in the starting lineup after missing 39 games probably has something to do with this.  No doubt, Shaq makes a difference when in the lineup as their winning six out of their last seven would indicate.

Just because it is the All-Star break doesn’t mean that you can’t bet on NBA hoops this weekend.  Be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com to bet on who you think will cut down the nets this July. Also, be sure to check out all of the lines and props for All-Star weekend.  With the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry, there are plenty of ways to cash in on the NBA this weekend.

MySportsbook.com’s NBA Championship odds:

Atlanta Hawks 1000-1

Boston Celtics 5000-1

Charlotte Bobcats 5000-1

Chicago Bulls 20-1

Cleveland Cavaliers 20-1

Dallas Mavericks 2-1

Denver Nuggets 25-1

Detroit Pistons 6-1

Golden State Warriors 250-1

Houston Rockets 12-1

Indiana Pacers 60-1

Los Angeles Clippers 45-1

Memphis Grizzlies 5000-1

Miami Heat 9-1

Milwaukee Bucks 1000-1

Minnesota T-Wolves 200-1

New Jersey Nets 50-1

New Orleans Hornets 150-1

New York Knicks 150-1

Orlando Magic 75-1

Philadelphia 76ers 1000-1

Phoenix Suns 5-2

Portland TrailBlazers 1000-1

Sacramento Kings 250-1

San Antonio Spurs 9-1

Seattle Sonics 5000-1

Toronto Raptors 35-1

Utah Jazz 20-1

Washington Wizards 25-1

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

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