Kentucky Derby Takes a Turn for the Worse

Horseracing Betting Lines

04/26/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the second straight year, the Kentucky Derby favorite will not be in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. If you remember, I Want Revenge was pulled prior to the 09 running and now Eskendereya is out of the 136th Kentucky Derby.

The horse most folks thought would not only win the race, but also become a Triple Crown champion, will take time off due to swelling in his left front leg.

Trainer Todd Pletcher made the announcement early Sunday morning after speculation that something was amiss the previous day when Eskendereya galloped over the track instead of partaking in a recorded workout.

Pletcher now moves forward without his top colt, and his 0-for-24 Derby record could balloon even higher if one of his other horses fails to bring home the roses.

To that end, look for him to send the filly Devil May Care to take Eskendereya's place when entries are drawn on Wednesday. She'll most likely be cross-entered in the Kentucky Oaks, but will run against the colts unless she draws an unfavorable post.

Devil May Care won the Bonnie Miss Stakes in her last start at Gulfstream Park, the same day Ice Box finished first in the Florida Derby. The filly ran her final 3/8 in 38 seconds with a slow 13 3/5 final furlong, while Ice Box came home in 36 4/5, including a 12 2/5 final eighth. Quite a difference!

The injury to Eskendereya is a huge blow to everyone associated with the horse. In addition, it will lower the odds of every other Derby entrant. Lookin At Lucky will now go off around 3-1 while Sidney's Candy's odds could plummet from 7-1 all the way down to 9-2.

THE EXPECTED FAVORITE

Lookin At Lucky began his career with four consecutive wins, including three in stakes company. He didn't dazzle the crowd with open-length triumphs and the fields he knocked off were decidedly weak, but the son of Smart Strike was extremely professional on the racetrack, measuring his opponents through the stretch and drawing clear at the wire.

Sent off as the 2-1 favorite in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Lookin At Lucky was caught very wide into the first turn from post 13 and was well back early on for the first time in his young career. Still, he rallied late to finish second, just a head back of Vale of York.

Instead of resting over the winter, trainer Bob Baffert sent him into the Cash Call Futurity, the same race that his Pioneerof the Nile won the year before. Lookin At Lucky disposed of six others that day in what was arguably his most impressive two-year-old victory.

His 2010 debut in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park was noteworthy as it marked his first career start on conventional dirt. During the run down the backstretch, he clipped heels with Noble's Promise but was still able to pass that rival in deep stretch for the victory.

Since Lookin At Lucky had already qualified for the Kentucky Derby, the Santa Anita Derby was not a win-at-all-costs type of race. Still, his connections weren't pleased when jockey Garrett Gomez had the colt on the inside with nowhere to go at the 5/16ths pole. The 4-5 favorite was stopped cold dropping from third all the way to eighth. He did, however, come on again through the stretch to finish third without gaining any ground on the winner.

It's hard to gauge how good Lookin At Lucky is. He's had to deal with tons of adversity in his last four races with only two wins to show for his efforts. Moreover, his pedigree doesn't scream 1 1/4-miles. On the other hand, he's the most accomplished horse in the race with six victories (three of the Grade I variety) and one can never dismiss a Bob Baffert-trained colt in the Derby.

Lookin At Lucky is a must use in all exotic wagering but it's doubtful he'll be able to overtake Sidney's Candy for the win.

THE NEXT GROUP TO WATCH

Endorsement owns the most impressive victory outside of California winning the Sunland Derby in track record time. Nevertheless, history has not been too kind to lightly-raced horses, save for Big Brown. The big difference between the 2008 Derby winner and Endorsement is Big Brown was the heavy 2-1 favorite while the son of Distorted Humor will be close to double digits.

It's a tall order to win the Kentucky Derby with just four career starts but Endorsement is talented enough to fill out the trifecta.

Awesome Act is another horse that in most years would be an automatic toss- out. Coming from off the pace to win the Gotham Stakes in early March, the son of Awesome Again was hailed as an up-and-coming star receiving a 98 Beyer Speed Figure for his effort. However, don't be fooled by the number as he knocked off a very weak 10-horse field. In fact, none of the other nine colts had ever won a two-turn graded stakes race.

His next start was a dud finishing almost 10 lengths behind Eskendereya in the Wood Memorial. Still, he didn't run all that badly considering he lost a shoe at the break and was under a stranglehold from jockey Julien Leparoux throughout most of the race.

There is a chance Awesome Act could be bet down to third choice since many handicappers will forgive him for that performance. On the other hand, he looks to be quite a few notches below the top tier.

Since the expected fast pace will not be altered with Eskendereya's removal, the 136th Kentucky Derby could be a repeat performance of the 131st running when Giacomo took advantage of blistering early fractions to garner the win.

Ice Box, who showed his penchant for closing in the Florida Derby, could do the same since the chestnut colt is the lone stout closer in the field. His only loss since last October was an excuse-filled Fountain of Youth Stakes. The son of Pulpit has had three 1 1/8-mile races to get him ready for 10 furlongs, and Nick Zito, like Baffert, is a trainer that has won multiple Kentucky Derbies.

American Lion is a horse that might get caught up in the expected fast pace, but the WinStar Farm colt has twice shown an ability to win while stalking the lead.

After a pair of losses at Santa Anita, trainer Eoin Harty sent him to Hawthorne where he blew away Yawanna Twist through the stretch to win the Illinois Derby.

Take away the two defeats on Pro-Ride (a surface he clearly didn't like) and American Lion looks just as good on paper as any of the secondary contenders. Plus, his odds will be much higher than those of Endorsement, Awesome Act and Ice Box.

Super Saver is another colt that could surprise. He's looked great in the mornings at Churchill Downs, the track where he overpowered eight rivals in winning the Kentucky Jockey Club last November. Also, this will be his third race off the layoff.

Even though Super Saver hasn't won in 2010, he finally showed he can rate off the lead, sitting behind Line of David in the Arkansas Derby. And while he couldn't get past the winner through the stretch, he's capable of improving at Churchill Downs, especially with Calvin Borel in the saddle.

THE FINAL JEFF FRANK TOP 12

1) Sidney's Candy; 2) Lookin At Lucky; 3) Super Saver; 4) American Lion; 5) Endorsement; 6) Ice Box; 7) Awesome Act; 8) Dublin; 9) Noble's Promise; 10) Mission Impazible; 11) Stately Victor; 12) Line of David.

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Police report: Terrell Owens hospitalized after attempt

Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:15 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.

The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.

Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. And a source close to Owens told Michael A. Smith that Owens wasn't attempting suicide.

NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said he spoke with Owens shortly before his release from the hospital and that Owens was in good spirits.

"The fact that it has been reported a suicide attempt, he's laughed at that notion. It was a case that medication that was taken wasn't accepted well in his system with the other vitamins he's on," Sanders said.

The series of events began a little before 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.

But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.

The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.

Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.

The tape of the 911 call could help clear things up. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get its contents, but fire department officials said it would not be available before late Wednesday.

The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his friend "that he was depressed." Details of the police report were first reported by WFAA-TV.

The friend, who is not identified in the report, "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth," the police report said.

Using her fingers, the friend attempted to pry them out of Owens' mouth. Owens told police he had taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied before the incident.

Etheredge told the Star-Telegram that Owens was "fine."

Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was groggy and lethargic. After taking some supplements "it kicked in a reaction" with the painkillers, she told the Star-Telegram.

"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheridge told The Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."

Police Lt. Rick Watson said he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.

It is not a crime in Texas for a person to attempt suicide.

"This is a high-profile person. We looked into it and we determined it is not a criminal offense," Watson said. "This a medical type of situation that occurred."

Watson and fire department spokesman Joel Lavender cited privacy laws for the lack of information they could provide. Lavender said more details could come from the 911 call. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get the contents of the call.

"Let's just look at the tape, review the tape," Lavender said. "I'll give you an honest answer once I know something."

At the police news conference, Watson released a version of the police narrative with certain sections blacked out. The full report was obtained by several news outlets and reported first by WFAA. The AP received the full version from WFAA.

According to the police report, Dallas Fire and Rescue was called regarding someone "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication." Officers arrived to find Owens being stabilized by ambulance workers, who then took him to Baylor University Medical Center.

Owens was hospitalized late Tuesday because of what his publicist said was an allergic reaction to pain medicine he was taking for a broken hand. Doctors reportedly tried to induce vomiting.

Owens, one of the league's top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is best known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.

When the Cowboys signed him to a $25 million, three-year deal in March, they said their background checks indicated no red flags. In fact, team consultant Calvin Hill -- who mostly deals with troubled players -- said during training camp that his department was not involved with Owens because he didn't have a history of those kinds of problems.

He missed most of training camp, and three of four preseason games, because of a hamstring injury. He was late for work during his recovery and was fined for it, but Owens laughed it off, saying he overslept. He said it had happened before, though not with Dallas, and would probably happen again.

Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger during a game a week ago Sunday. The next day, doctors screwed in a plate so the bone could heal without fear of further damage. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last week that the pain medicine made Owens ill.

Owens had not practiced since the injury, but because Dallas had a bye this past weekend he did not miss a game. He was expected to practice Wednesday, and Parcells had said there was a chance Owens could play Sunday against Tennessee.

Owens had been especially looking forward to the Cowboys' game after that -- Oct. 8, in Philadelphia, against the team that dumped him midway through last season only months after he helped them nearly win the Super Bowl.

Owens was seen laughing and joking on the practice field Tuesday morning. He chatted briefly with reporters in the locker room in the afternoon and seemed fine. A 2-inch scar on the top of his hand was puffy but not wrapped, and he said the swelling was doing down.

While in the locker room, he took a pill from a white paper bag and looked at another medicine bottle that was in the bag. He also called a business partner about a towel-wrap venture they're starting and joked to TV cameras that he wasn't talking until Wednesday and it was only Tuesday.

"My little boy knows better than that," he said, laughing, as he plopped onto a sofa in the middle of the locker room.

Also Tuesday, Owens was involved in launching a national campaign for the National Alliance to End Abuse, an organization aimed at helping at-risk youngsters. He appeared at a high school Tuesday morning and was scheduled to visit others but had to cancel because of changes in the team's practice schedule.

Owens has played two games for the Cowboys, catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. For updated football betting lines and Dallas Cowboy Superbowl odds visit online sportsbook MySportsbook.com

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