Horse Betting World

Zito is Dialed in for Kentucky Derby

By Mike Dempsey

Dialed In was all set to make his first start after his impressive maiden win in a first level allowance race on Jan.21, but when the track came up sloppy hall of fame trainer Nick Zito scratched the colt, and decided to go in the much tougher $400,000 Holy Bull (G3).

The change in plans worked out perfectly, as the colt became a major player on the Kentucky Derby Trail with an impressive win, drawing clear in the stretch to win by 1 ½ lengths, returning $7.40 for the victory.

The son of Mineshaft earned $240,000 in graded earnings, which should reserve him a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7.

If more than 20 horses are entered in the Kentucky Derby, the top 20 in graded earnings get to run for the roses.

Dialed In became a buzz horse when he made his debut on Nov. 12 at Churchill Downs. The colt broke sluggishly and rallied from last to first with a eye catching move, getting up to win by a half length.

Zito planned to try him in allowance company before making his stakes debut, but the colt showed he fits with the best three-year-olds on the Derby Trail.

In the Holy Bull, jockey Julien Leparoux found himself in last again after the colt was again off a beat slow.

Under a ground saving ride, Leparoux swung the colt out wide coming into the stretch, and when he switched leads at the sixteenth pole he hit another gear, drawing clear and stopping the timer in 1:35.19 for the one turn mile race.

“I had a good feeling and confidence in Julien to let him be in the right place and then get into the mix. I just wanted him to get out clear and settle. I’m not sure what will be next. The idea is just to get him there,” Zito said.

“There” is the Kentucky Derby, and Zito has been there before, winning with Strike the Gold and Go for Gin.

Zito also saddled last year’s runner up Ice Box.

The next race for top three-year-olds in Florida is the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) on February 26, but Zito could wait and run the colt in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on April 3.

The colt is also eligible for a $5.5 million bonus sponsored by track owner Frank Stronach if he can win the Florida Derby, and then win the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico on May 21.

Tackleberry Wins Classic: If you caught Friday’s HBW video by Michael Dempsey, you heard him give out Duke of Mischief and Tackleberry as his top two selections in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic. The two combined for a $338.00 exacta!