Kentucky Derby 2011: Early Long Shots & Predictions

The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook has set the Kentucky Derby futures for the May 7th Run for the Roses in Louisville, Kentucky. The long shots for the Kentucky Derby of over 200-1 or longer are always worth a shot early in the game. Look for horses posted as long shots with a good gene pool and good trainers that love to test their three year old thoroughbreds early.

The following ten horses are rated by the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook as 200-1 or longer odds to win the Kentucky Derby. All ten are worth a small wager early at the long odds to provide some hedge betting as the Kentucky Derby draws closer.

No.10 Aces N Kings 200-1

Aces N Kings is trained by "Scooter" Dodwell, trainer of Rachel Alexandra and he claims Aces N Kings is the fastest horse he has ever trained in an article on Blood Horse.com. The horse is rated as a 200-1 shot currently and no doubt the number will come down once the horse competes in a big three year old tune up race.

No. 9 Wickedly Perfect 300-1

The filly Wickedly Perfect missed the 2010 Breeders Cup with a bone chip but the horse will be ready for the Kentucky Derby. With odds of 300-1 the horse is a prime candidate for a long shot pick. Wickedly Perfect has three wins in four races and will be pointing towards an early three year old primer soon.

No. 8 Slammer Time 200-1

Although Slammer Time was an also ran in the December Cash Call Futurity, the horse is still worthy of a small wager at 200-1. Slammer Time has run well with Rafael Bejarano in the stirrups, winning on the Hollywood Park mile and taking third in Del Mar. The December failure came with David Flores in the saddle during a rainstorm and a 30 minute delay at the gate. All excuses and added experience for the young Thoroughbred.

No. 7 Kentucky Reign 300-1

Not much information on this horse early in the Kentucky Derby vetting process but how can anyone pass on a 300-1 shot named Kentucky Reign? I have to have one gambler favorite pick in every list and this is it.

No.6 Rockin Heat 200-1

Rockin Heat is a great horse but so far the horse hasn't pulled off a signature win as he climbs the ladder in distance and skill level. Rockin Heat has placed second in two races to Bear Chocolated and in two races to Blue Laser.

No.5 Voodoo Storm 300-1

Voodoo Storm has been shelved since October and has won one out of three races. Voodoo Storm has competed at the mile and sixteenth distance in his last two races. In those two outings there was a win and an off the board result. Keep an eye on the early Kentucky Derby preps for this horse.

No. 4 Vengeful Wildcat 200-1

Vengeful Wildcat has not run since September after running second to Madman Diaries in the six furlong Grade 3 Sapling. Vengeful Wildcat's first two victories were at the five and five and a half furlong distance. The horse is trained by Ben Perkins and the next race for the horse will possibly be at seven furlongs.

No.3 Cal Nation 300-1

Although Cal Nation has yet to run this may be the perfect time to get money down on this Todd Pletcher trained horse. Cal Nation is a direct descendant of AP Indy and the buzz on this horse is strong. Strong enough to place a wager at 300-1 before this horse enters the starting gate.

No.2 Elite Alex 200-1

Elite Alex has run one race and won at Del Mar in a five furlong romp. The horse trained by Tim Ritchie is a descendant of Afleet Alex and when making an early wager on the Kentucky Derby it never hurts to put some money on a horse out of Afleet Alex.

No.1 Halo's Thunder 200-1

Halo's Thunder is trained by Kenneth McPeek and in the last two races Kent Desormeaux has been in the saddle. The horse has the experience at Churchill Downs and has never run a race less than a mile in his history.

Kentucky Derby future bets are all about take five to ten big long shots and having the ability to hedge the bets come race day. The goal is to have at least four or five of the Kentucky Derby futures make the Run for the Roses.

Statistical sources:

Las Vegas Hilton Superbook Kentucky Derby Futures

www.bloodhorse.com

www.lasvegasinsider.com

www.yahoosports.com