Betting The Horses

The field for the Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters with preference given to horses with the highest career graded stakes earnings. Noble’s Promise, trained by Kenny McPeek, has an impressive $738,000. It is second only to champion Lookin At Lucky’s $1,480,000.

The horse’s Kentucky Derby plans were put on life support, however, after Saturday’s Arkansas Derby. The colt entered the race with his spot in the Kentucky Derby secured regardless of what place he finished, but he suffered injuries at the beginning of the race that may prevent him from starting next month at Churchill Downs.

“He got cut up at the start,” assistant trainer Walt Blum Jr. said. “They squeezed him out and someone stepped on his foot. (Jockey) Robby (Albarado) then let him run up in there on the turn and he got cut up on both front legs.” As a result of his injuries, his status for the Run for the Roses is uncertain.

This horse racing idol earned his spot near the top of the earnings list with a series of impressive graded stakes finishes. He finished first at the Breeder’s Futurity Stakes (G1), his first graded stakes race. He finished in the top 3 in each of his next three races, with Lookin At Lucky finishing just ahead of him each time.

He is the son of Cuvee and The Devil’s Trick. He is trained by Kenny McPeek, who has notable experience in Triple Crown races. At the 2002 Belmont Stakes, long-shot Savara (a McPeek trained horse) became the highest-paying horse to win in the history of the Belmont.