2011 Kentucky Derby Picks and Betting Lines – Shackleford Odds on the Rise

2011 Kentucky Derby Picks and Betting Lines: Shackleford Odds on the Rise to Win 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7th: With the Kentucky Derby only a few days away, it is time for bettors to narrow down their lists of potential winners. It is always smart to include a few longshots in those picks to add the possibility of a big payday. One horse that is starting to gain a lot of buzz is Shackleford, and at +1800 odds(Get latest odds at SBG Global Racebook, bettors should definitely consider getting in on the action.

The newfound hype surrounding Shackleford stems from an impressive workout during practice for the Kentucky Derby last Saturday. The horse covered five furlongs in 58.8 seconds, which bodes very well for his chances if he can maintain a similar pace for the duration of the race. More importantly, a closer look at the horse’s performances in some other races reveals that it shouldn’t have taken his Derby workout to get bettors to pay attention to him.

Shackleford made for starts on dirt surfaces in preparation for his trip to Churchill Downs. He won two of those events and finished second in another. In addition, the horse made his final three starts at 1 1/8 mile tracks, making him one of the more tested horses in the Kentucky Derby field when it comes to running longer distances. Since the Derby is the longest race a majority of the horses will have run to date, Shackleford’s experience could prove valuable down the stretch.

Last but not least, the horse’s second-place effort in the Florida Derby was a testament to his abilities. Shackleford lost the race by a nose to Dialed In, and Dialed In just happens to be the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby. In addition, the Florida Derby was considered one of the deepest and toughest fields of the Derby prep races.

Against some stiff competition, Shackleford was able to deliver a runner-up finish and give the Kentucky Derby favorite all he can handle. When you factor in the horse’s experience and his performance against Dialed In, it is more than reasonable to expect Shackleford to at least contend for the win at Churchill Downs. Bettors looking for a bit of longshot with some real potential should definitely consider Shackleford.

Check out the latest updated Kentucky Derby Betting Odds as well as NSAwins.com’s 2011 Kentucky Derby Free Picks and Predictions article.

Get more 2011 Kentucky Derby Predictions on NSAwins.com from Expert Kentucky Derby handicappers.