“Bear Bets” are real wagers that Chris “The Bear” Fallica is actually making.
Every year, sports fans shift their attention to Louisville on the first Saturday in May for the Kentucky Derby.Â
Theres just something incredibly special about the event, dubbed “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”Â
This is the 152nd “Run for the Roses,” and regardless of whether you indulge in a few Mint Juleps, there is fun to be had for all â particularly when it comes to laying a few wagers.Â
So, let’s jump into the action.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
1. Renegade: 4/1 (bet $10 to win $50 total)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Im in a strange spot with the Derby favorite. I have a nice future ticket on him and now that the race is here, I dont plan on using him in the winning spot on any other tickets. So if he wins, great. If my handicapping here is correct, and hes a non-factor, thats great too. Hes won both of his races as a 3-year-old. However, the reports of sore feet do not inspire a lot of confidence. Neither does the rail draw, for which I have some stats further down in the column. While it’s true being a closer does mitigate some of the concerns with the rail, the fact is this horse might not be fast enough. His winning figures in the Arkansas Derby and Sam F Davis are below what Chief Wallabee, Further Ado and Commandment are running. Remember too, it’s not like trainer Todd Pletcher has had a ton of success here either â more on that further in this column, too. While it is also true Irad Ortiz Jr. probably had his choice of mounts in this race and chose Renegade, it just feels like there are way too many “ifs” involved here. If he breaks, if his feet are OK, if he can get a trip, etc. I actually think he will not go favored Saturday and, despite being an overlay in the wagering, Im still standing against.
2. Albus: 30/1 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Trainer: Riley Mott
Jockey: Manny Franco
The longer shot of the two Riley Mott runners in here and deservedly so. Won a very weak Wood Memorial at 12-1 from way off the pace and being sired by Yaupon, I would be absolutely stunned if this one was anywhere near a superfecta finish, as 1 1/4 miles does not appear to be in his bloodlines.
3. Intrepido: 50/1 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Just worked an insanely fast four furlongs in 45 seconds and trainer Jeff Mullins was none too happy about it. Still, Ill include this one underneath on my trifectas and superfectas, as hes shown some staying power to carry on and stay off the pace. That will serve him well here, so long as that last workout didnt gas him.
4. Litmus Test: 50/1 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Was favored against Silent Tactic in the Rebel and only 9/2 against Renegade in the Arkansas Derby, and was nowhere to be found in either. Baffert, blinkers, Martin Garcia â we all know what the plan is here. There will be some that dont want to toss a Baffert speed horse and I get it. But this $875k purchase does not pass the litmus test. Ill show myself out. He will not be on my tickets.
5. Right to Party: 30/1 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Jockey: Chris Elliott
Ive heard this one does not look very good on the track, which checks with him not look
