California Derby goes to local favorite

Horseracing Betting Lines

01/14/2012 - Berkeley, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Local stakes winner Russian Greek, the 3-2 favorite, came from last to win Saturday's $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields. The 1 1/16-mile race for three-year-olds is a prep event for the track's $200,000 El Camino Real Derby on February 18.

One of two horses in the race trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Russian Greek started from post six with Aaron Gryder riding. Shipping up from Santa Anita was the 9-5 early favorite Hodge.

Setting the pace was Reconstruction, the other Hollendorder trainee, with Hodge running in second followed by Unveiled Heat and Cahill Chrome. Around the final turn Hodge, ridden by Russell Baze, took the lead with Unveiled Heat to his outside and Cahill Chrome three wide around the turn.

Russian Greek trailed the field by more than seven-lengths in the early going and began his move on the turn for home and moved to the outside for the strtetch run.

The favorite made a late rally to catch Cahill Chrome just before the wire and post a length victory. Finishing third was 4-1 third choice Senor Rain followed by Hodge, Unveiled Heat, Blacky the Bull and Reconstruction.

Russian Greek covered the distance on Golden Gate's synthetic track in 1:45.07.

Owned by Olympia Star Inc., Russian Greek picked up $60,000 in his third win over four career starts. The colt has banked $121,700.

After beginning his career with a win at San Rosa last July, Russian Greek finished fifth in the Golden Nugget Stakes at Golden Gate. He won the Gold Rush Stakes with another last to first rally at the Bay Area track.

Russian Greek returned $5.40, $3.40 and $2.60. Cahill Chrome paid $18.00 and $6.60, and Senor Rain paid $3.60 to show.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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