Columnist Ralph Siraco: The 'field' emerges as early Derby favorite

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday, and his Southern California selections run Tuesday through Friday. Reach him c/o Las Vegas Sun, 800 S. Valley View, Las Vegas, NV 89107.

The march to the Kentucky Derby started in earnest over the weekend. The first Grade I Derby prep race was run at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, and the first of three Kentucky Derby parimutuel future book pools was offered with a clear cut favorite that covers about 3,000 horses -- or as the disclaimer goes -- "All other 3-year-olds (on the planet)."

The parimutuel pool offered 23 individual horses to play with a 24th slot covering every other 3-year-old. Thus, the multi-thousand horse entry seemed to offer the most bargain to the players who participated in pool No. 1. That ticket -- represented by number 24 -- was as low as 3-5 during the morning period on Saturday. It finally closed as the first pool favorite at 3-1.

Race fans have been spoiled for decades with the futures bets that are available in many Las Vegas race books. Those futures wagers are based on the odds at the time a patron places the bet -- termed a "fixed odds" wager. This means the odds on the horse are locked in at the time of the bet and will be paid off at those odds if the horse wins the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

The parimutuel pool for the Kentucky Derby that was offered in many Las Vegas race books and other locations over the weekend originates from Churchill Downs, home of America's most famous horse race. Their futures odds were locked in at the close of the betting pool on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The parimutuel wagers began on Thursday at 9 a.m. and fluctuated throughout the betting period. If you bet a horse at Thursday's opening odds of 10-1, they may have changed by Sunday's deadline --either up or down from the Thursday purchase price.

The parimutuel pool did several stock market-type dipsy doodles after several key races run at Gulfstream Park and the Fair Grounds during the betting period.

On Saturday, in addition to the Grade I Fountain Of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream Park staged an allowance race for those sophomores playing the catch-up game in the race to the Derby.

The 11th race on the card featured a pair of potent comeback runners that could have impact on the Kentucky Derby this year. Hero's Tribute, a son of 1993 Kentucky Derby winner Sea Hero, returned as one of three Derby contenders for trainer John Ward. The marquee returnee, however, was A.P. Valentine, a son of 1992 Breeders' Cup Classic and Horse of the Year A.P. Indy, trained by two-time Derby winning trainer Nick Zito. The Rick Pitino-owned runner had not started since his first career defeat in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Although Hero's Tribute won impressively, most observers felt the third-place finish by A.P. Valentine was just what the doctor -- or in this case the trainer -- ordered. Hero's Tribute will start next in the March 11 Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds, while A.P. Valentine may next be seen in the Florida Derby the day before at Gulfstream Park.

The Fountain Of Youth, raced as the 10th on the card, saw Songandaprayer go gate-to-wire in the 1 1/16-mile affair under a well-rated ride by jockey Edgar Prado. The grandson of 1990 Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year Unbridled is owned by former pro basketball star Bobby Hurley and was making only his second start going two-turns. His connections always felt he could handle the extra distance of the Derby and he'll get his next shot to prove it in the Florida Derby which is 1/16 of a mile longer than his score on Saturday. Runner-up Out Of The Box, who had an eventful start under jockey Jerry Bailey, may wait until the April 7 Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah.

At The Fair Grounds on Sunday, the Risen Star Stakes brought together a full field aspiring for a berth in the Louisiana Derby at that same Bayou race course. The most accomplished runner in the field also went off at odds-on to capture the event. Dollar Bill, making his 2001 debut, gained the services of jockey Chris McCarron, who flew in to ride the son of Peaks and Valleys. Although the Kentucky Jockey Club stakes winner had to work for the victory, it was nevertheless an impressive effort at the 1 1/16 miles off the shelf. He will next be part of the Louisiana Derby field.

A Saturday allowance race at The Fair Grounds also produced another Louisiana Derby starter. Strike It Smart, who was coming off an impressive eight-length victory in the slop, won smartly enough at the 1 mile and 40 yards to gain entry into the big steppingstone in his next engagement for local trainer Albert Stall.

Here's a look at some parimutuel future book activity:

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