Re: Past Derby Day and Derby Race Charts (481 Views)
Posted by: Fairmount1 (IP Logged)
Date: April 11, 2026 07:17PM
A little off topic from a few fantastic posts but a historical note on morning line favorites and the Derby.
During the 2004 Kentucky Derby broadcast, Tom Hammond discussed the odds on several horses in the field and when he made it to the odds on The Cliff's Edge he stated:
"The Cliff's Edge opened as the 4-1 favorite, only the third time since 1949 that the favorite has been higher than 3-1. He is risen now as you see. Smarty Jones who opened at four and a half to one is currently the 4-1 favorite."
I am assuming that he technically means that The Cliff's Edge was only the 3rd MORNING LINE favorite to be 3-1 or higher since 1949. The Cliff's Edge was the 4-1 morning line favorite and Smarty was 9-2 on the m/l. And the morning line started for the derby in 1949. Those are the reasons for my rationale as to why I believe he is referring to the morning line favorite and not the actual betting favorite.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2026 07:21PM by Fairmount1.
During the 2004 Kentucky Derby broadcast, Tom Hammond discussed the odds on several horses in the field and when he made it to the odds on The Cliff's Edge he stated:
"The Cliff's Edge opened as the 4-1 favorite, only the third time since 1949 that the favorite has been higher than 3-1. He is risen now as you see. Smarty Jones who opened at four and a half to one is currently the 4-1 favorite."
I am assuming that he technically means that The Cliff's Edge was only the 3rd MORNING LINE favorite to be 3-1 or higher since 1949. The Cliff's Edge was the 4-1 morning line favorite and Smarty was 9-2 on the m/l. And the morning line started for the derby in 1949. Those are the reasons for my rationale as to why I believe he is referring to the morning line favorite and not the actual betting favorite.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2026 07:21PM by Fairmount1.
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