Columnist Ralph Siraco: A quality field, a betting opportunity

Ralph Siraco

Friday, May 6, 2005 | 10:38 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

WHAT: 131st Kentucky Derby

WHEN: Saturday at 3:04 p.m. PDT

WHERE: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky.

TV: NBC (3) RADIO: 920-AM

FIELD: 20 3-year-olds

DISTANCE: 1 1/4 miles

FAVORITE: Bellamy Road, 5-2

TOTAL PURSE: $2,399,600

WINNER'S SHARE: $1,639,600

WEATHER FORECAST: Partly cloudy, upper 70s

2004 WINNER: Smarty Jones

This Kentucky Derby centers around Bellamy Road. He has destroyed his competition this year. And, maybe it is finally time for a superstar sophomore to hit the scene.

It has been a long time (1973) since the great Secretariat. However, there have been more than just a few great horses that for one reason or another didn't win the Kentucky Derby. This is a quality group of runners.

So, as a player, I'm looking to cash a nice bet. I will box five horses in the Superfecta -- costing $120 for the $1 bet. In no particular order, they are ANDROMEDA'S HERO, AFLEET ALEX, BANDINI, BELLAMY ROAD and DON'T GET MAD.

My selection is:

1. BANDINI

2. AFLEET ALEX

My value play is:

DON'T GET MAD.

Have a great Derby race day.