Kentucky Derby Profile: Helium
Both our in-house handicapper take a look at all the horses in the Kentucky Derby.
All their results over the past 12 months are listed below along with their Morning Line Odds and the full field of runners for the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby.
This piece is all about the Mark Casse trained undefeated Helium who has got Post Position 12 and it is fair to say that neither Sean nor J.N. are overly keen on his chances...
- Date
- Race
- Track
- Distance
- Finish
Date
- March 6, 2021
- October 18, 2020
- September 27, 2021
Race
- Tampa Bay Derby (G2)
- Display Stakes
- MSW
Track
- Tampa Bay Downs
- Woodbine
- Woodbine
Distance
- 1m 1/16
- 7f
- 7f
Finish
- 1st
- 1st
- 1st
- Post Position
- Horse
- Morning Line Odds
- Jockey
- Trainer
Post Position
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
- 8.
- 9.
- 10.
- 11.
- 12.
- 13.
- 14.
- 15.
- 16.
- 17.
- 18.
- 19.
- 20.
Horse
- Known Agenda
- Like the King
- Brooklyn Strong
- Keepmeinmind
- Sainthood
- O Besos
- Mandaloun
- Medina Spirit
- Hot Rod Charlie
- Midnight Bourbon
- Dynamic One
- Helium
- Hidden Stash
- Essential Quality
- Rock Your World
- King Fury
- Highly Motivated
- Super Stock
- Soup and Sandwich
- Bourbonic
Morning Line Odds
- 6-1
- 50-1
- 50-1
- 50-1
- 50-1
- 20-1
- 15-1
- 15-1
- 8-1
- 20-1
- 20-1
- 50-1
- 50-1
- 2-1fav
- 5-1
- 20-1
- 10-1
- 30-1
- 30-1
- 30-1
Jockey
- Irad Ortiz
- Drayden Van Dyke
- Umberto Rispoli
- David Cohen
- Corey Lanerie
- Marcelino Pedroza
- Florent Geroux
- John Velazquez
- Flavien Prat
- Mike Smith
- Jose Ortiz
- Julien Leparoux
- Rafael Bejarano
- Luis Saez
- Joel Rosario
- Brian Hernandez Jr.
- Javier Castellano
- Ricardo Santana Jr.
- Tyler Gaffalione
- Kendrick Carmouche
Trainer
- Todd Pletcher
- Wesley Ward
- Daniel Velazquez
- Robertino Diodoro
- Todd Pletcher
- Greg Foley
- Brad Cox
- Bob Baffert
- Doug O'Neill
- Steve Asmussen
- Todd Pletcher
- Mark Casse
- Victoria Oliver
- Brad Cox
- John Sadler
- Kenny McPeek
- Chad Brown
- Steve Asmussen
- Mark Casse
- Todd Pletcher
Sean's Take...
This horse was a surprise winner of the G2 Tampa Bay Derby in his 3-year-old debut and first dirt start, which earned him a Beyer of just 84. You’d think given that lowly number his connections would want to test his mettle a bit more before throwing him to the wolves, but nope, here he lands having not raced in almost two months. Given his lackluster speed figures and relative inexperience, all I can say is good luck.
J.N's Take...
If you ever had the opportunity to watch Ironicus run on the turf, then you know he had a major set of late gears in the deep stretch that made him extremely dangerous in Graded Co. Now as a sire, he has had little success when it comes to his progeny. This colt will be one of his best, especially if he can make a nice showing in America’s greatest race.
When it comes to being backed by a strong barn, there is no one you would rather have in your corner than HOF trainer Mark Casse. His ability to condition continues to impress, and he just keeps bringing a strong set of runners into each of the divisions. The major question is can this lightly raced colt be ready to contest the kind of pace he is going to see in KYD147? He has only run once this year, and that was certainly an impressive win in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).
Then Casse and D J Stable decided to shut this one down and wait till May. That decision may have taken a very good horse, and decimated his chances to reach the level of fitness he will need in this spot. Who would disagree with Casse? Not me . . . but it is certainly worth mentioning, as he goes to one of his old-standard riders in Julien Leparoux.
You can bet on the 147th Kentucky Derby with any of our betting partners via the Race Card below. Just click on the odds of the horse you'd like to back and then select which operator/sign-up bonus you'd like to use. You'll then be taken to their site to complete the sign-up process so you can place your bet on this year's Kentucky Derby...
Kentucky Derby 2021 Racecard
Essential Quality
-
Age: 3 /
-
Jockey: Luis Saez /
-
Trainer: Brad Cox /
Brad Cox finally has a Derby horse (two actually) but he rolls into Churchill Downs with the favorite. Undefeated and oozes class. 2-1 is short for me but our turf-man has him as his selection.
Rock Your World
-
Age: 3 /
-
Jockey: Joel Rosario /
-
Trainer: John Sadler /
A very very impressive winner of the Santa Anita Derby. Installed as the 5-1 second-favorite. Has only run once on dirt and blew away a good field. Not entirely sure if he's the real deal but I know he's got a real chance.
Known Agenda
-
Age: 3 /
-
Jockey: Irad Ortiz /
-
Trainer: Todd Pletcher /
Tricky inside Post Position. Arguably the most effected by the PP draw. 6-1 on the Morning Line should drift. Not heavily fancied by the HR.net team
Hot Rod Charlie
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Age: 3 /
-
Jockey: Flavien Prat /
-
Trainer: Doug O'Neill /
A California invader who impressively took out the Louisiana Derby. He may well provide the early speed. Win contender.
Highly Motivated
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Age: 3 /
-
Jockey: Javier Castellano /
-
Trainer: Chad Brown /
Plenty of buzz surrounding this Into Mischief colt. Went stride for stride with Essential Quality at the Blue Grass. He will be our editor's pick.
Mandaloun
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Age: 3 /
-
Jockey: Florent Geroux /
-
Trainer: Brad Cox /
If you are looking at a value play from the middle of the odds then Mandaloun may well be it. That clunker at the Louisiana Derby has people worried but if was just one of those days - 15-1 could be long.
Medna Spirit
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Age: 3 /
-
Jockey: John Velazquez /
-
Trainer: Bob Baffert /
Bob Baffert's only Derby horse. Was at #1 with our in-house handicapper for the final few weeks of the Prep season. Our editor likes him too. Real game horse who won't let anybody down. 15-1 screams value.
Dynamic One
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Age: 3 /
-
Jockey: Jose Ortiz /
-
Trainer: Todd Pletcher /
If Dynamic One is in the mix for the Derby then it'll be quite the surprise. Runner-up to stablemate Bourbonic in the Wood Memorial. Real long-shot.
King Fury
-
Age: 3 /
-
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. /
-
Trainer: Kenny McPeek /
Kenny McPeek is a darn good trainer. This horse is getting better with every race. Can he get in and among the front-runners coming down the stretch? I'm dubious but you can't just rule him out.
Midnight Bourbon
-
Age: 3 /
-
Jockey: Mike Smith /
-
Trainer: Steve Asmussen /
Plenty of tactical speed for a nice horse who seems a step below the top contenders. Could win if everything - and I mean everything - falls his way. Most likely to be in the mix for the exotics if anything however.