The Top 10 Contenders for the 2023 Kentucky Derby

 The Kentucky Derby is the centerpiece of  the Triple Crown racing series for three-year old thoroughbred horses. The first Saturday in May, the Run for the Roses is the first horse racing event that draws betting attention from diehard handicappers all the way to causal fans wanting to get in on the action.

The beginning of February draws attention to the three-year old thoroughbred horses and their quest to make it on the list in the Kentucky Derby Trail. Here are 10 top favorites to make their way to Churchill Downs on May 6 for the Kentucky Derby:

1) Forte

2) Instant Coffee

3) Curly Jack

4) Blazing Sevens

5) Jace's Road

6) Red Route One

7) Victory Formation

8) Dubyuhnell

9) Practical Move

10) Lugan Knight

Futures Odds for the 2023 NHL Season

 Odd to Win the 2023 NHL Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins +275

Toronto Maple Leafs +400

Carolina Hurricanes +450

New Jersey Devils +850

Tampa Bay Lightning +850

New York Rangers +1100

Pittsburgh Penguins +1400

Washington Capitals +2200

Florida Panthers +2500

New York Islanders +3500

Buffalo Sabres +4000

Detroit Red Wings +15000

Ottawa Senators +20000

Philadelphia Flyers +30000

Montreal Canadiens +75000

Columbus Blue Jackets +100000

 Odds to Win the 2023 NHL Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche +325

Dallas Stars +550

Edmonton Oilers +600

Vegas Golden Knights +600

Calgary Flames +850

Minnesota Wild +1000

Winnipeg Jets +1000

Seattle Kraken +1200

Los Angeles Kings +1600

Nashville Predators +3300

St. Louis Blues +6000

Vancouver Canucks +20000

Arizona Coyotes +30000

San Jose Sharks +40000

Anaheim Ducks +100000

Chicago Blackhawks +125000

Picks for the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes this Saturday

 

Here are my top five contenders to race in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream and their morning line odds to win:

Lord Miles (5-2)

As a favorite in the Hoy Bull, the Kentucky-bred colt has raced for Gulfstream Park in two prior races. He finished first in the six-furlong Maiden Special Weight sprint this November as a juvenile. Lord Miles placed third in the ungraded Mucho Macho Man Stakes on Jan. 1 to make his three-year old debut. Saffie Joseph Jr. is the trainer and he is ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. out of the No. 1.

Cyclone Mischief (3-1)

Trained by Dale Romans and ridden by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, he is positioned No. 4 in the lineup. Cyclone Mischief is the son of Into Mischief and he finished first in the one-mile sprint on Jan. 8 of this year. He covered that race in 1:36.48 over Litigate and Mr. Ripple. As a three-year old Kentucky-bred colt, Cyclone Mischief races his career at Churchill Downs and Keeneland Racing Course before moving on to Gulfstream.

Legacy Isle (7-2)

This three-year colt has raced at Gulfstream Park his entire career. Legacy Isle won the six-furlong Maiden Special Weight race on Sept. 24 and won the one-mile Allowance race on Nov. 27 as a juvenile. His debut as a three-year old in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes ended up with a second-place finish after drifting out in the stretch to cause a disqualification. He is trained by Rohan Crichton and his jockey is Luis Saez in the No. 6 gate for this race.

Rocket Can (6-1)

He began his juvenile career at Saratoga Race Course in a pair of seven-furlong Maiden Special Weight sprints. Rocket Can moved up in distance for 1 1/16 miles on dirt with a first-place run and a second-place run at Churchill Downs later in his two-year campaign. Also a sire of Into Mischief, he is making his three-year debut at Gulfstream Park in the Holy Bull.

Mr. Bob (8-1)

Starting out with the No. 5 gate in the Holy Bull Stakes, Mr. Bob has Joel Rosario as his jockey. He is trained by Robert Falcone Jr. and he has raced for Robert LaPenta. He stumbled to a sixth-pace finish in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes after finished third at Saratoga, first at Keeneland and second at Churchill Downs in his juvenile campaign. Mr. Bob will be making his second start as a three-year old at Gulfstream in this race.

Previously posted on Doc's Sports Service

 

"Best Bets" on the Final 2023 Super Bowl Odds

 The Philadelphia Eagles were crowned NFC Champions in the 2022 season and the Kansas City Chiefs were crowned AFC Champions this past Sunday. Philadelphia won the NFC title game on defense with a 31-7 outcome and Kansas City grinded it out 23-20 on the field goal in the last minutes of play.

Before the championships of the NFC and AFC, the Eagles were favored 51.8% to win the Super Bowl and the Chiefs were second-favorites at 38.9%. They become the first No. 1 seeds to meet in the Super Bowl since 2018. Philadelphia beat the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl 52.

Doc's Sports Service has the full details in the blog The Top Five US Sportsbooks Have the Final 2023 Super Bowl Odds. 

Saturday's "Best Bet" Picks for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park

 

Saturday, Jan. 28

Pegasus World Cup Invitational – Gulfstream Park

Win: Cyberknife

This four-year colt is trained by Brad Cox and he is ridden by jockey Florent Geroux. Cyberknife is starting from the No. 10 post in this race after placing second in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland on Nov. 5. He finished first, second or third in seven of the nine races last year.

As a son of Gun Runner, he was bred to go farther than a mile on dirt. Cyberknife could be the best four-year old in this race. He won at Monmouth in the Haskell Stakes last July and placed second in the Travers Stakes on Aug. 27 at Saratoga.

Place: Proxy

Trained by Michael Stidham, this Kentucky-bred five-year old is racing for Godolphin, LLC. Breaking from the No. 4 gate in this race, he has Joel Rosario as his jockey. Proxy has six finishes in the money last year. He ended the 2022 season with a victory in the Grade 1 Clark Stakes over West Will Power and Fulsome.

As a sire of Tapit, Proxy has races 1 1/8 miles on dirt in his last five events at Fair Grounds, Keeneland and Churchill Downs. He has the speed and power to make it a tight race for first place in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational this Saturday.

Show: White Abarrio

Starting at the No. 4 post, White Abarrio has Saffie Joseph Jr. as his trainer and Tyler Gaffalione as his jockey. The four-year colt was bred in Kentucky and he has raced for Clap Embroidery. His 2022 victories include the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Parks in April. He ran this race in 1:50.64 over Charge It and Simplification.

White Abarrio is a son of Race Day. His best race on dirt is one mile and he finished third in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 3 of last year.

Previous posted on ScoresandStats.com

San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles Top Three NFC Championship Props

The San Francisco 49ers are going on the road to square off against the Philadelphia Eagles at 3 p.m. (ET) this Sunday. The game is being played at Lincoln Financial Field and the Eagles are 2.5-point home favorites. The total line is 46.5 points and Philadelphia is a -148 favorite on the straight-up money line odds by FanDuel.

Here are the top three NFC Championship props to go along with the betting lines and odds for the game.

Eagles' Miles Sanders Anytime TD Scorer (+140)

Sanders is third in this prop behind Christian McCaffrey (-130) and Jalen Hurts (+125). However, the odds are favorable given overall performance both running and catching the ball. Sanders has been one of the key Eagles' players touching of ball in critale moments this season.

49ers' Christian McCaffrey Most Rushing Yards (+150)

McCaffrey leads the way in rushing yards for both teams. He gained 154 yards on 25 carries in two playoff games (Seattle and Dallas). McCaffrey has also rushed for a combined 303 yards on 63 attempts in San  Francisco's last three road games this regular season. 

First Half Totals Under 23 Points (-110)

Defense on both teams will take center stage in the first half to force the under play on 23 total points. The Eagles should have 13 points and San Francisco should have six points before the second quarter ends.

Virginia's First Permanent Casino is Rivers Portsmouth

 Opening its doors Monday, Jan. 23, Rivers Casino Portsmouth and BetRivers Sportsbook became the first permanent casino and sportsbook in Virginia. Prior to opening, Rivers Portsmouth had two tests with the Virginia Lottery and the state's gaming regulator on board as a dress rehearsal. 

Everything was set and the Grand Opening of the Rush Street Gaming development when as smooth as planned. The $340 project has 1,448 slots machine, 57 table games and 24 poker table in the casino. BetRivers Sportsbook has 750-foot video wall with up to 30 screens showing games. 

Rivers Portsmouth also has five restaurants, a meeting space and an event center with a music venue. Doc's Sports Service cover it all in Rivers Portsmouth Casino Opens in Virginia Featuring BetRivers Sportsbook.