Colonel John odds to win the Kentucky Derby lengthened

Colonel John odds to win the Kentucky Derby lengthened Short-lived were the favorite odds on Colonel John to win the 2008 Kentucky Derby, the odds makers have already lengthened his chances for victory on Saturday. The odds on Colonel John to win the Kentucky Derby were shortened this morning, following his favorable No.10 post position and the online sportsbook BodogSports had him at 4/1, head-to-head with the favorite Big Brown. But as the day progressed and punters started placing their bets on the Derby, Colonel John fell short of the bookie's expectations and now Colonel John has odds to win the 2008 Kentucky Derby at 4/1. Maybe it was the words of his trainer Eoin Harty, when asked if Colonel John should be the favorite of the Kentucky Derby: "No, not at all. He [Big Brown] has been very impressive, my horse has struggled to win a couple of times. I'm glad he's the favorite. He deserves to be." And indeed Colonel John's odds to win the Kentucky Derby were changed to 4/1 at BodogSports.

Colonel John boasts a strong pedigree for 1 1/4 miles. His sire, $6.4 million earner Tiznow, scored all of his most notable victories at that classic distance. A late-developing sort who did not break his maiden until late May as a sophomore, Tiznow went on to become champion three-year-old and Horse of the Year in 2000. He set a new track record of 1:59 4/5 when romping in the 1 1/4-mile Super Derby (G1) at Louisiana Downs, and later that fall, he captured the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs. In 2001, Tiznow took home another Eclipse Award as champion older horse. That year, he added the Santa Anita H. (G1) to his resume, and in his final career outing in the Breeders' Cup Classic, he mounted a determined rally inside the final yards to deny Sakhee by a nose. In the process, Tiznow became the only two-time winner of that 1 1/4-mile prize. Tiznow is transmitting his stamina to his progeny, who have recorded an Average Winning Distance of 7.5 furlongs. So far, his two leading performers have been fillies -- Folklore, the champion juvenile filly of 2005, and reigning Lady's Secret S. (G1) heroine Tough Tiz's Sis. Tiznow has also sired several good males, however, including highly regarded Grade 2 winner Tiz Wonderful, a 2007 Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful whose career was unfortunately curtailed by injury.

Published on 05/01/2008