08/13/2008 - Lexington, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Recent remarks by the trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown have inspired Jess Jackson, majority owner of Curlin, to seek a confrontation in the upcoming Woodward Stakes at Saratoga. Jackson has offered to donate $50,000 to a charity if the three-year-old accepts the challenge.
"Big Brown's camp recent remarks about Curlin inspired me to offer an incentive to get these two great horses to race at the legendary track at the Spa," said Jackson. "Both horses are eligible for this race and both have plenty of time to prepare for what would be thoroughbred racing at its very best and in the name of a great cause."
Jackson is pledging $50,000 from the Jackson Curlin for Kids Fund to the non- profit Belmont Child Care Association, Anna House if Big Brown runs in the Woodward. Big Brown is owned by IEAH Stables and trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr.
Following Big Brown's win in the Haskell Invitational on August 3, Dutrow stated that his thoroughbred was superior to the 2007 Horse of the Year, mainly based on Curlin finishing third in last year's Run for the Roses.
The $500,000 Woodward will be conducted on Saratoga's main track at 1 1/8 miles. Big Brown would carry 121-pounds and the four-year-old Curlin would carry 126-pounds under the weight-for-age conditions.
"This type of competition between horses is exactly what thoroughbred racing needs, an event that introduces the excitement and competition of racing to a broader audience," Jackson said. "Imagine Horse of the Year Curlin racing against Derby Winner Big Brown, on a legendary track. I would love it, the fans would love it, and the horses would love it."
Curlin's last race was on grass in the Man o'War at Belmont Park when he finished second to Red Rocks. Owned by Jackson's Stonestreet Farms and Midnight Cry Stable, Curlin won the $6 million Dubai World Cup this year along with the Stephen Foster Handicap. He is third on the all-time North American earnings list with $9,496,800. Cigar is first on the list with $9,999,815.
Along with the Kentucky Derby and Haskell victories, Big Brown this year won the Florida Derby and Preakness Stakes. He was eased in the Belmont Stakes by jockey Kent Desormeaux when trying to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. The colt now has a record of six wins in seven career starts for $3,314,500.
<< D'Backs, Rockies continue familiar rivalry
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arizona Diamondbacks aim to keep up their season-long
dominance of the Colorado Rockies when the National League West rivals resume
a three-game series tonight at Coors Field.
Arizona claimed Tuesday's opener by a 4
<< White Sox aim to stay atop Central versus KC
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After regaining the top spot in the American League Central
on Tuesday, the Chicago White Sox hope to stay there following tonight's clash
with the Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.
Chicago moved a half-game in f
<< Lester tries to do more for Red Sox vs. Rangers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox have been one of baseball's best teams
at home this season, while Jon Lester has been nearly unbeatable when he has
taken the Fenway Park mound.
Lester tries to pitch the Red Sox to a second straigh
<< Cubs, Braves set to play two in Atlanta
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After having a day off due to inclement weather in the
Atlanta area on Tuesday, the Chicago Cubs will try again for their sixth
straight road win when they kick off a six-game trek this afternoon with a
day-night doubleheader
Maine set for return as Mets battle Nationals >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets hope that John Maine can make a
successful return from the disabled list tonight, when he takes the ball in
the second test of a three-game series against the Washington Nationals.
Maine exited early in h
Blue Jays shoot for another win over troubled Tigers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With a healthy Vernon Wells, the Toronto Blue Jays aren't
ready to give up on the American League Wild Card just yet. The Blue Jays try
for their third straight win over the Detroit Tigers tonight in the
continu
Astros send Wolf to hill to take on Giants >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - California-born left-hander Randy Wolf can stay unbeaten
during his brief stint with Houston tonight, when the Astros host the San
Francisco Giants in the third game of a four-game series at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros en
Ramirez aims to extend hot play, as Dodgers play host to Phils >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manny Ramirez has been like a gift from heaven so far for
the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will try to stay on the winning track in the
third installment of a four-game series versus the Philadelphia Phillies at
Chavez Ravine.
MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.
Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.
According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).
Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.
''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.
Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.
''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''
Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.
”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.
For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value
If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture. Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).
For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot. The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.
TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.
"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,' it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."
"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.
Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash. Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting