Running out of the eighteenth gate, Backtalk is listed as a +120 odds underdog in his 2010 Kentucky Derby Picks Match Up against Homeboykris. Never giving up, Backtalk, the son of 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones, is a 2010 Kentucky Derby contender long shot. His pedigree is Smarty Jones and Apasionata Sonata by Affirmed.Leading up to the Kentucky Derby post position draw on Wednesday, trainer Tom Amoss mentioned he would like to run Backtalk if eligible. Once it was learned that trainer Todd Pletcher would not enter Interactif, Gold Mark Farm’s Backtalk broke the top 20 list in graded stakes earnings [$225,916] to compete in the 136th Run for the Roses.
Gold Mark Farm general manager of racing Todd Quast stayed focused on the task at hand: "With our situation we've got to just concentrate on him and we've done everything for him that we can to get him ready if he does happen to get in. If we get in the Derby that's great; if we don't we have a good horse and we'll go elsewhere. There are a lot of options."
Last Sunday with jockey Miguel Mena aboard, Backtalk worked five furlongs in 1:01 3/5, galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 4/5. Backtalk has a 4-0-1 record in seven starts. He began the 2010 horse racing season as a 3-year-old, winning the 1-mile Sportsman's Paradise Stakes on January 26th. He did not race until the April 3rd Grade III Illinois Derby where he finished third to American Lion [1st] and Yawanna Twist [2nd].
What do the Sports-Odds.com horse racing betting and Kentucky Derby Picks experts think about Homeboykris?
Running out of the nineteenth gate, Homeboykris is listed as a -150 odds favorite in his 2010 Kentucky Derby Picks Match Up against Backtalk. Come this Saturday evening, there will not be much baseball talk for Dodgers manager Joe Torre as he will be watching Homeboykris whom he co-owns Run for the Roses in the 2010 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands. His pedigree is Roman Ruler and One Last Salute by Salutely.
After a few more scratches on Wednesday, the Grade I Champagne Stakes winner moved up in graded stakes earning to 17th with $250,500. Back on April 21st, with jockey Julien Leparoux aboard, Dutrow was pleased with his six furlong work in 1:14 4/5.
As far as his 19th Derby post position at Churchill Downs, trainer Rick Dutrow Jr said it all: “We’re going to have to deal with it. I liked the work. I'm very happy with him. I have been high on this horse since the beginning. Julien worked him a couple of times in Florida and he was happy with the work, and said he got over the track very well."
One week later Homeboykris breezed four furlongs in :48.40 under exercise rider Joe Deegan. Once again Dutrow was happy with his performance: “I couldn’t be happier. He went really good. Jockey Joe was really happy with him. He got over (the track) the right way – a very good breeze for him. It’s all good.”
Homeboykris will be racing for the first time since his second place finish in the Allowance at Gulfstream on February 27th. His only other race this season was a fifth place finish in the Holy Bull Stakes on January 23rd. Homeboykris is owned by several owners including Louis Lazzinnaro, Robert Teel, Joe Torre and Diamond Pride LLC.
Online racebook SPORTSBOOK.com has posted horse racing betting odds on various 2010 Kentucky Derby Picks Match Ups:
Churchill Downs - 2010 Kentucky Derby Match Up Odds
Backtalk: +120
Homeboykris: -150
Churchill Downs - 2010 Kentucky Derby Match Up Odds
Deans Kitten: -115
Make Music For Me: -115
Churchill Downs - 2010 Kentucky Derby Match Up Odds
American Lion: -160
Discreetly Mine: +130
Churchill Downs - 2010 Kentucky Derby Match Up Odds
Nobles Promise: -145
Ice Box: +115
Churchill Downs - 2010 Kentucky Derby Match Up Odds
Awesome Act: -150
Dublin: +120
Churchill Downs - 2010 Kentucky Derby Match Up Odds
Devil May Care: -170
Conveyance: +135
Churchill Downs - 2010 Kentucky Derby Match Up Odds
Jackson Bend: -115
Mission Impazible: -115
