Every spring brings talk of Kentucky Derby contenders, but along with the musings and prognostications regarding the “Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” comes the inevitable chatter about potential Triple Crown candidates. It just so happens this year’s Derby field has a number of colts that appear capable of completing the grand trifecta. That could be both a blessing and a curse as the competition for pulling off one of sports rarest feats will, indeed, be fierce. The latest Horse Racing Odds and Kentucky Derby 2012 Prop Bets reflect both the strong field and the potential wash out that could occur as a result of it. The odds makers at Bovada.lv are giving Union Rags a decent shot at joining some exclusive company, though, with the colt presently listed at 11 to 1 odds to win the 2012 Triple Crown.
Since the inception of the Triple Crown series only 11 horses have ever been able to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in the same year. The first horse to do so was the H.G. Bedwell trained Sir Barton in 1919. Sir Barton was followed by Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), and Citation (1948).
That 18 year stretch between Gallant Fox and Citation, which yielded seven Triple Crown winners, would prove rare in years to come. There was a 25 year gap between Citation’s Triple Crown feat and Secretariat’s mark on history (1973), and only two horses have completed the trifecta since the great Secretariat (Seattle Slew – 1977, Affirmed -1978).
Thirty two years is a long time to wait, but horse racing enthusiasts have done just that in regards to the Triple Crown. Several runners have nearly pulled it off, including Smarty Jones (2004) and most recently Big Brown (2008), but close is not close enough.
The three most promising Triple Crown candidates this year, at least according to the odds makers and horse racing experts, are Bodemeister (15/1), Union Rags (11/1), and Gemologist (28/1). While Gemologist is undefeated coming into the Derby, he appears to be more of a speed horse, which would not play well at the 1 1/2 miles Belmont Stakes. Bodemeister and Union Rags, on the other hand, are bred for distance, the former by 2003 Belmont winner Empire Maker and the latter coming from dirt track master and multiple graded stakes winner Dixie Union.
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Kentucky Derby 2012 Prop Bets: Provided by Bovada.lv
Odds to Win the 2012 Triple Crown
1. Daddy Long Legs 200/1
2. Optimizer 350/1
3. Take Charge Indy 85/1
4. Union Rags 11/1
5. Dullahan 50/1
6. Bodemeister 15/1
7. Rousing Sermon 225/1
8. Creative Cause 60/1
9. Trinniberg 300/1
10. Daddy Nose Best 100/1
11. Alpha 75/1
12. Prospective 275/1
13. Went The Day Well 125/1
14. Hansen 85/1
15. Gemologist 28/1
16. El Padrino 100/1
17. Done Talking 250/1
18. Sabercat 175/1
19. I’ll Have Another 40/1
20. Liaison 300/1
NO TRIPLE CROWN WINNER 2/19
