Twice The Appeal opened with 20/1 odds to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby after Wednesday post position draw, but much has changed in the two days following the announcement of the starting order. On Friday morning, Uncle Mo was forced to scratch with a gastrointestinal infection, leaving the field behind Dialed In, Saturday's favorite, wide-open. Twice The Appeal's odds have improved dramatically, moving from 20/1 in the morning line odds to 8/1 at present.
But it's not just Uncle Mo influencing the odds. In fact, much of it has to do with the jockey set to mount Twice The Appeal on Saturday. Calvin Borel has the honors, and inspires confidence wherever he goes. With two-straight Kentucky Derby wins, and three wins in the last four years, Borel has a knack for navigating the crowded field at Churchill Downs unscathed, and bringing home a derby victory in the process.
And with Borel on the mount, bettors believe Twice The Appeal will make it three-in-a-row for Borel. He's got a solid post position -- No. 4 in the starting gate -- and has the know-how to make a run, especially if Borel can get to the rail. And Down The Stretch They Come's Matt Garnder had a word of warning for the other jockeys that may be foreshadowing the race on Saturday.
Jockey Calvin Borel, who is riding 3-Twice the Appeal and has won the Derby three out of the last four years, will be down inside once again. If the riders give him the rail again this year they should all be banned from the sport!
We'll see if Borel can ride Twice the Appeal to victory on Saturday as the 2011 Kentucky Derby gets underway. Post time is 5:24 p.m. EDT, live from Churchill Downs.
The Kentucky Derby gets underway on Saturday at Churchill Downs. Stay with our 2011 Kentucky Derby StoryStream for previews, odds and analysis up to and throughout the derby. For more on the race, head over to SB Nation's Kentucky Derby StoryStream or check out And Down The Stretch They Come.