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Mike Smith’s decision to ride Omaha Beach in the Kentucky Derby has led oddsmaker Mike Battaglia to change his mind and go with the Arkansas Derby winner as the favorite in the Run for the Roses.
Battaglia, who has set the morning line for the Kentucky Derby each year since 1975, said Thursday he figures Omaha Beach will be at 4-1 or 5-1 odds when the line is announced following the draw on April 30.
Battaglia had said Sunday he was leaning toward making Santa Anita Derby winner Roadster the favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Smith had the luxury of choosing between Omaha Beach and Roadster to ride in the Derby and announced his decision Tuesday.
“The fact that Mike Smith took off Roadster and Bob Baffert tells you what he thinks of the horse,” Battaglia said. “That could not have been an easy decision for Mike.”
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Smith is a Hall of Fame jockey who has won two Kentucky Derbys, with Giacomo in 2005 and eventual Triple Crown winner Justify last year.
The jockey had relationships with the connections of both Roadster and Omaha Beach. Baffert, Roadster’s trainer, has called on Smith to ride several of his top horses – including Justify – over the years. Omaha Beach is owned by Rick Porter, for whom Smith recently rode two-time Eclipse Award winner Songbird.
“I think everybody realizes the Derby is different when it comes to loyalties,” Battaglia said. “You go for the horse you think is going to win, and I think everybody respects that decision. …
“It says a lot that he took off a Baffert horse, and Roadster was really impressive winning the Santa Anita Derby. But Mike has been on (Omaha Beach) twice now, and he’s improved both times. And it means a lot to have that experience of a Mike Smith in the Derby. He’s not going to panic.”
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Battaglia said he expects either Roadster or Santa Anita Derby runner-up Game Winner – also trained by Baffert – to be the second choice in the morning line. Battaglia said Arkansas Derby runner-up Improbable, Florida Derby winner Maximum Security and Wood Memorial winner Tacitus likely will round out the top six picks in his morning line.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jasonf.
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