As we close in on the New Year, all of the focus will be on the two-year olds as a new crop tries to replicate the feats of the great American Pharoah.
The road to the Kentucky Derby has already started, and though there aren't any traditional contenders you'd think about running in Saturday's Inaugural Stakes, the winner of this race will have his hand in the hat for the Tampa Bay Derby, one of the many de facto "Win and you're in" races for the Run for the Roses.
You can find horse racing odds at BookMaker.eu at the online racebook.
ODDS ANALYSIS
1: Li'l Meatball 3/1
2: Royal Almighty 12/1
3: Ishaq 7/2
4: Transform 15/1
5: Formal Summation 5/2
6: Brerry 15/1
7: Jay's Way 5/1
8: Unbridled Trick 20/1
9: Little Awesome 20/1
10: Peppi the Hunter 30/1
11: Union Grace 20/1
Considering the size of this field, these two-year olds are really going to be tough to handicap at the Inaugural Stakes. Formal Summation, Ishaq, Li'l Meatball and Jay's Way are considered to be the cream of the crop, and what many are going to do is put the four of them together in either trifecta boxes or exacta boxes and merely hope that none of the other underdogs are able to rise up for an upset.
FAVORITE TO FOLLOW
It's highly unlikely that any of these horses in this race are rising up to win the Kentucky Derby, but Ishaq is on the best road for the time being. He's only raced once in his career, and in his maiden effort in November, he romped to a 10-length win over a field of 11 here at Tampa Bay Downs.
Ishaq is up for a much bigger challenge now, though. This is an equally big field to the one that he romped to last month, but the colts here are stronger. If he turns another 96 Beyer Speed Rating though, this is very likely a race which he'll win. No one else has shown that type of speed historically.
UNDERDOG TO WATCH
It's going to be tough for any of these double-digit underdogs to get into the money, but Royal Almighty is at least intriguing. Sure, he's never had better than an 81 Beyer Speed Rating in his career, but he's on Lasix for the first time in his career as well and could show improvement. He breezed five furlongs in 1:00 flat just last weekend, a mark which suggests he's ready for this run.
It's also notable that Royal Almighty has been a favorite everywhere he's gone in the past. This is the first time he's been greater than 5 to 1 in any race, and horse racing punters might realize this as being a big mistake.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This race is going to be decided in the first dozen strides in all likelihood. There are a lot of ponies who are going to be jockeying for position right off the bat. Li'l Meatball is probably the horse we're most afraid of, knowing that he went wire-to-wire at the Juvenile Sprint in his last race and posted a 91 Beyer Speed Rating.
However, by all accounts, Ishaq is the horse with the greatest potential in this field, and we think he's going to be recognized as one of the top dogs on the Florida circuit heading into 2016.
Play Ishaq to win the Inaugural Stakes
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering right now! Bet on horse racing today with the Inaugural Stakes, which goes to post on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 3:50 p.m. ET at Tampa Bay Downs.
