The Peter Miller trained Calculator picked up his first career victory in Saturday’s Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita, which vaulted the colt up to a tie for second in the Road to the Derby points race and his early betting odds for the Run for the Roses have dropped to 20-1.
The colt was 0 for 4 coming into the Sham, but he ran well in a couple of runner up finishes to American Pharoah in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and Frontrunner (G1). The son of In Summation did not disappoint in the Sham, drawing away to win by 4 ¼ lengths.
Top honors in early Derby betting is shared by Dortmund and American Pharoah, both listed at 10-1 in betting odds released this week at Bovada.
Dortmund is undefeated in three career starts for the Todd Pletcher barn. The son of 2008 Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown created buzz after an impressive maiden score in his debut on Nov. 2 and then followed it up with a sharp win against first level optional claimers in his first start against winners.
His stakes debut came in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G1) on Dec. 20 where he was sent off as the betting favorite and got tested, winning a three-way photo to stay undefeated. He earned 10 Derby points for the victory.
American Pharoah took the Del Mar Futurity and Frontrunner and was set to be the betting favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) until a foot bruise knocked him out of the race. Horseplayers still have faith in the Bob Baffert trainee, as he has remained a solid favorite for the Kentucky Derby.
Texas Red pulled off the upset in the Juvenile and is currently third choice for the Kentucky Derby at 12-1. The lone Juvenile winner to win the Run for the Roses was Street Sense in 2007.
Calculator wins 2015 Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita:
2015 Kentucky Derby odds via Bovada:
Dortmund 10/1
American Pharoah 10/1
Texas Red 12/1
Daredevil 16/1
El Kabeir 16/1
Carpe Diem 16/1
Calculator 20/1
Competitive Edge 20/1
I Spent It 25/1
My Point Exactly 25/1
Startup Nation 25/1
Frosted 25/1
Imperia 25/1
Ocho Ocho Ocho 25/1
Overcontrol 25/1
Zandar 25/1
Conquest Typhoon 33/1
Cozmic One 33/1
Jess’s Dream 33/1
Upstart 33/1
Hootenanny 33/1
Leave The Light On 33/1
Firing Line 33/1
Conquest Tsunami 35/1
Big Trouble 40/1
Dream It Again 40/1
The Great War 40/1
One Lucky Dane 40/1
Souper Colossal 50/1
Prayers And Angles 50/1
Indianaughty 60/1
Prime Engine 60/1
Spring Quality 150/1
Kentucky Derby betting odds courtesy of Bovada.
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