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Kentucky Derby Betting: Free Drop Billy has been a racehorse for nearly a year now. His first race came at Churchill Downs back in June 2017, when he cruised to an easy victory in his maiden race. Since then, we have seen him consistently hit the board.
In his second race, he finished just behind Firenze Fire at the Sanford Stakes. He followed that up by besting Firenze Fire at the Hopeful Stakes, but he finished just behind Sporting Chance in a three-way race. Following that result, he was moved to Keeneland where he gave his best performance yet, romping over Bravazo and Lone Sailor at the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity.
That made him the second-favorite behind Bolt d’Oro at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but he had the worst finish of his career in Del Mar. He was never in contention and finished ninth.
Over his last three races, he has once again looked like the horse that showed so much promise at two. He finished in second at the Holy Bull Stakes, grabbed third at the Gotham Stakes, and took third again at the Blue Grass Stakes.
The Kentucky Derby will go to post on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 6:34 p.m. ET at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Catch the Kentucky Derby live on NBC.
Free Drop Billy
Career Record: 2-3-2
Career Earnings: $625,220
Kentucky Derby Points: 44
Kentucky Derby Odds at BookMaker.eu: +4050
The sire of Free Drop Billy is Union Rags. Union Rags won the 2012 Belmont Stakes and his progeny are just starting to race at this point. Free Drop Billy’s dam is Trensa.
His trainer is Dale Romans. Romans has had some success at the Derby, leading two horses to Show finishes in eight starts. The last of which came in 2012 when Dullahan took third.
Robby Albarado will be the jockey for Free Drop Billy. He has yet to find the Winner’s Circle in 14 previous appearances at this race. His best finish came in 2013 when Golden Soul grabbed second.
Why Free Drop Billy Will Win the Kentucky Derby
To me, experience is a good thing in horses. Free Drop Billy has raced against large fields and has ran at Churchill Downs before. Both of those factors will certainly help him here. Also, he has finished better than a couple of the favorites at this race, so that’s a good sign.
Why Free Drop Billy Won't Win the Kentucky Derby
This horse has been very inconsistent throughout his career. He has posted some good numbers at tracks and has had some really bad performances too.
Additionally, Albarado is just coming back to the horse. He has not ridden Free Drop Billy since his disastrous performance at the Breeders’ Cup, and he has been piloted by three different jockeys in his three races since then.
The Final Verdict
Consistency is the big issue with Free Drop Billy. He has not had consistent times, and the frequent changing of jockeys bothers me too. Personally, I am going to stay away from this horse, but there is enough of an upside that I wouldn’t criticize someone for backing him.
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2018 Kentucky Derby Contenders