Alpha looms large in Withers
Horseracing Betting Lines
02/03/2012 -
Ozone Park, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Local stakes winner Alpha has been made the
even-money favorite in a field of seven for Saturday's $200,000 Withers Stakes
at Aqueduct. After a year's absence the Withers returns as a prep event for
three-year-olds on the road to the Kentucky Derby.
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for Godolphin Racing, Alpha will start from the
outside post with regular rider Ramon Dominguez in the saddle. The colt was
the 4-5 favorite when winning last month's Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct.
"We're excited to be running him, to be in this position," said McLaughlin. .
"Our stomachs were upset last weekend when Consortium didn't run well in the
slop at Gulfstream (sixth in the Holy Bull), so we're thankful for Alpha. But
we have to do it day by day, race by race."
Alpha, whose sire Bernardini won this race in 2006, has two wins in four
career starts with $180,000 in his bankroll. He was second to Union Rags in
the Champagne Stakes last October, but only 11th in the Breeders' Cup
Juvenile.
"The Withers is an important race because it's graded and you don't get to run
in the Derby unless you have those graded stakes earnings," said McLaughlin. .
"When you look at the schedule, you start with the first Saturday in May, and
work back from there. We are taking the Withers as an important step, and
maybe, maybe, afterward we'll talk about what we're going to do."
The 1 1/16-mile Withers is a preliminary race for Aqueduct's $1 million Wood
Memorial on April 7.
The 4-1 second selection is King Kid trained by Dale Romans. The colt has
drawn post four with Mike Luzzi getting the mount.
"He's a horse we've always thought a lot of, and we'd like him to run big
Saturday and see if he belongs," said Romans who saddled 2011 Preakness champ
Shackleford. "It would be nice to get $120,000 of graded stakes earnings and
then be selective about where he'd go next."
Owned by McKee Stables, King Kid won in his first start in November and was
third in last month's Gulfstream Park Derby behind Reveron. Reveron has drawn
into Saturday's Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Here is the full Withers' field from the rail out: Hakama, Julian Pimentel,
5-1; Speightscity, David Cohen, 20-1; Swag Daddy, Junior Alvarado, 10-1; King
Kid, Mike Luzzi, 4-1; How Do I Win, Cornelio Velasquez, 10-1; Tiger Walk,
Horacio Karamanos, 6-1 and Alpha, Ramon Dominguez, 1-1.
Post-time for the Withers is slated at 4:05 p.m. (et).
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Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Bet on NFL Football
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
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