CLIFF'S EDGE GETS THE EDGE.Byline: Kevin Modesti Staff Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Cliff's Edge was declared the Kentucky Derby's morning-line favorite Wednesday amid speculation that unbeaten Smarty Jones Smarty Jones (born February 28, 2001) is a thoroughbred race horse, and winner of the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He is a third-generation descendant of Mr. will be the fans' choice by post time Saturday. Churchill Downs Churchill Downs, Ky.: see Louisville. oddsmaker odds·mak·er n. One who calculates and sets betting odds based on the prediction of the result of a contest such as a horserace or an election. Mike Battaglia put The Cliff's Edge at 4-1 and Smarty Jones a tick behind at 9-2 after the field and starting posts were set for the 20-horse race. Failing to squeeze into the field were Rock Hard Ten and Eddington. ``You can't knock Smarty An earlier device marketed by Fischer International Systems Corporation, Naples, FL (www.fisc.com) that used a standard 3.5" floppy drive to read smart cards. The smart card was inserted into Smarty, which resembled a floppy disk. Jones' record,'' Battaglia said, ``but The Cliff's Edge had the better (speed-rating) number in the Blue Grass (Stakes) and he has won two times at Churchill Downs.'' The Cliff's Edge trainer Nick Zito Nicholas Philip "Nick" Zito (born February 6, 1948 in New York City, New York) is an American Thoroughbred horse trainer. Zito began his career as a hot walker and worked his way way up to a groom, to an assistant trainer, and to a trainer. said he thought the favorite's role ``could have gone either way.'' ``I don't see a clear-cut favorite,'' Zito said. ``This could be the best betting Derby ever.'' Smarty Jones trainer John Servis John C. Servis (born October 25, 1958 in Charles Town, West Virginia) is an American thoroughbred horse racing trainer who was a relative unknown until May 2004 when his horse Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby. said he wasn't surprised not to be favored because the colt posted five victories in relatively minor races before winning the Arkansas Derby. Next on the morning line are 8-1 Tapit and 10-1 Lion Heart. Reflecting the large field and the prep-season upheaval, odds normally associated with long shots were assigned to major-race winners Castledale (15-1), the Santa Anita Derby The Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and carries a purse of $750,000. champion; Friends Lake (15-1), Wimbledon (15-1) and 2-year-old champ Action This Day (30-1). Among the most popular horses, getting the worst of the Derby's contrived post-position ``draft'' was Tapit. Trainer Michael Dickinson, given the 16th choice by lot, put Tapit near the outside in post 18. The most heads-up choice was made by the handlers of Pollard's Vision, who is blind in his right eye. After posts 4-11 had been taken, they chose No. 17, so the colt can see most of his opponents. No Derby candidates dropped out since Sunday, so Eddington and Rock Hard Ten were excluded from the field as the 21st and 22nd horses on the graded-stakes earnings list. Rock Hard Ten would have made it if he hadn't lost $60,000 in earnings when he was disqualified dis·qual·i·fy tr.v. dis·qual·i·fied, dis·qual·i·fy·ing, dis·qual·i·fies 1. a. To render unqualified or unfit. b. To declare unqualified or ineligible. 2. from second to third for interference in the Santa Anita Derby. ``It's pretty frustrating,'' Rock Hard Ten trainer Jason Orman said. ``He probably deserves to be in. You have to hope it's for the best.'' Orman said Rock Hard Ten will train for the May 15 Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. If none of the entrants are scratched, this will be the first Derby with the full field of 20 since the 1983 race won by Sunny's Halo. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Trainer Nick Zito learned Wednesday taht his horse, Birdstone, will start from the 13th gate in the Kentucky Derby. Timothy D. Easley/Associated Press Box: 130TH KENTUCKY DERBY FIELD |
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