In just a few hours the most exciting 2 minutes in sports will begin as the Kentucky Derby is set to take place at 6:24 pm ET tonight at Churchill Downs in Louisville. There are several Contenders in the event, including Intense Holiday, who will start in the 16th slot and has been installed as 8/1 Odds to win the Derby.
Intense Holiday's Record: 2-1-1 in 8 Races. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Jockey: John Velazquez. Sire: Harlin’s Holiday. Dam: Intensify. Best Beyer Speed: 97
Intense Holiday has raced 3 times in 2014 so far and has a raced very well, taking 3rd at the Holy Bull Stakes, 1st at the Risen Star Stakes and 2nd at the Louisiana Derby. . His performance in two stakes at Fair Grounds run bodes well for the Derby. His long, sustained rally to overcome a slow pace in the Risen Star is just what he’ll need May 3, and a slight step back in the Louisiana Derby leaves more room to move forward than might have existed had he peaked again.
His Sire is Harlin’s Holiday, who was a three-time Grade 1 winner at 1 1/8 miles and was second in the 1 1/4-mile Dubai World Cup and Hollywood Gold Cup in 2003. Intense Holiday’s stamina will come from it’s Sire as his Dam, Intensify, has made five starts at distances between just 6 1/2 furlongs and a mile.
John Velazquez is the Jockey and has a win at the Blemont stakes under his belt, back in 2012, while riding Uniion Rags. John has 35 wins in 2014 and is 13 th in Jockey earnings for the year so far at $2.94 million.
Intense Holiday won a maiden race on the lead, but his best lick appears as a closer who should relish what shapes up as a fast pace in the Derby.
Here are a few Kentucky Derby Records: There have been two Jockey’s that have won the Derby 5 times each and they are Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack.
The Trainer with the most Derby wins is Ben A. Jones, who collected 6 with 5 of those coming with Jockey Eddie Arcaro.
That fastest time comes from Secretariat, who ran the Derby at 1:59:40 back in 1973. Secretariat is the only horse to run the Derby in under 2 minutes.
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Kentucky Derby Preview: Intense Holiday
What horse racing bettors need to know about betting Intense Holiday in the Kentucky Derby, which takes place on Saturday (5/03/14)- With insight from Pregame.com's Chuck Edel & host Marco D'Angelo.