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Harlan's Holiday Favorite for Kentucky Derby

"Harlan's Holiday, the consistent bay colt with six wins and four seconds in 10 career starts, was a slight favourite over Came Home and Buddha, both listed at 5-1 in the morning line set Wednesday night by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.

"Harlan's Holiday, trained by Ken McPeek, is coming off strong wins in the Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes.

"…Irish-based Johannesburg and Wood runner-up Medaglia d'Oro were co-third picks at 6-1.

"…After the first five 3-year-olds, the odds soared, with Sheik Mohammed's Essence of Dubai, Saarland and Perfect Drift each at 15-1.

"Essence of Dubai, a winner of two stakes races in Dubai in his only starts this year, leaves from the No. 8 post, and Saarland, fourth in the Wood and healthy after minor throat surgery, starts from the No. 16 post.

"The field, from the rail out, with odds: Johannesburg (6-1), Wild Horses (50-1), Perfect Drift (15-1), Lusty Latin (30-1), War Emblem (20-1), Ocean Sound (50-1), Request for Parole (20-1), Essence of Dubai (15-1); Medaglia d'Oro (6-1), Buddha (5-1), Private Emblem (20-1), Castle Gandolfo (20-1), Proud Citizen (30-1), Harlan's Holiday (9-2), Came Home (5-1), Saarland (15-1), Danthebluegrassman (50-1), It'sallinthechase (50-1), Easy Grades (20-1) and Blue Burner (30-1).

"…The biggest surprise was trainer Bob Baffert's decision to enter Danthebluegrassman for owner Mike Pegram, whose Real Quiet won the 1998 Derby. Eighth in the Santa Anita Derby, Danthebluegrassman worked well enough at Churchill Downs to make the field. He's in post No. 17 at odds of 50-1.

"Baffert has two Derby starters. War Emblem, purchased for him by Prince Ahmed Salman after the colt won the Illinois Derby, will leave from the No. 5 post at odds of 20-1…"

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