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With I Want Revenge scratched from Saturday's Derby, Friesan Fire has been made the new favorite to win the 2009 Kentucky Derby at Sportsbook.com FOR NOW. Then again, so has Dunkirk. Both share the "favorite" spotlight.
"Make no mistake about it, there are three horses that could alternate as favorites throughout the afternoon," says Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com.
Friesan Fire and Dunkirk were only a +400 favorite, which would pay $400 for every $100 bet. Pioneer of the Nile was only a half point behind at +450. General Quarters suddenly found himself with +500 odds at Sportsbook.com.
I Want Revenge himself was not a huge favorite, with odds of just +300.
Friesan Fire had previously been listed with +500 odds. He is the consensus pick among most experts.
Tom Amoss is a Churchill Downs trainer and TVG (America's Horse Racing Network) analyst. Making his picks for the Louisville Courier, he explains why Friesan Fire will win.
"The Louisiana Derby winner has improved with every start. I like him at the 1 1/4-mile distance. I think Derbys are won by fate, the winner preordained. In the case of Friesan Fire, it's trainer Larry Jones' swansong."
Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
