Ken-pucky Derby? Ed likes ‘Agenda’
On Tuesday, Mike Battaglia will set the Kentucky Derby morning line for the 48th consecutive year. He told the Louisville Courier Journal last week that he had Essential Quality as the likely favorite at “around 3-1 or 7-2.”
Cue Eddie Olczyk: “Stop it right there.”
Olczyk, the Blackhawks analyst and horse racing handicapper, is leaning toward a different horse in the 147th Run for the Roses on May 1.
“If the Derby was tomorrow, I would be in the direction of Known Agenda,” said Olczyk, who will be on the NBC broadcast from Churchill Downs and recently extended his partnership with the betting and handicapping platform 1/ ST BET. “He won the Florida Derby and seems to be coming into his own since he put blinkers on.”
Skeptics might think Olczyk likes Known Agenda because of the hockey connection — the horse is owned by Vinnie and Teresa Viola, who own the Florida Panthers. But that’s irrelevant.
“The race to me, at least right now, is setting up for a horse that can be tactical, can be relatively close and has the ability to accelerate,” Olczyk said. “Obviously, depending on what happens between now and then and the weather and post position, I’ll be building a lot of my plays with Known Agenda.”
Olczyk also is eyeing Essential Quality, Rock the World and Sainthood and figures to bet those four horses in some fashion. But he likes Known Agenda’s potential value most.
“I think you get every bit of north of 5-1, maybe 6-1 if Known Agenda’s the third choice,” Olczyk said, “because a lot of the experts and wise guys will be looking at that number and going, Wow, that’s a pretty good number to be betting on an undefeated horse and a horse that’s got so much class.”
A lot can change in a week. Check back then for the latest from Olczyk.