2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders Analysis: Bodemeister and Union Rags are the blue-chippers and rightfully so. Bodemeister is a flyer that is in supreme form but his thin payout is discouraging. Union Rags is unproven but has a ton of heart and is probably an overlay at 5-1. Undefeated Gemologist is worth taking a flier bet on at 6-1 after opening at 8-1 with All-Star trainer Todd Pletcher in his corner. Alpha fell short against Gemologist at the Wood Memorial but is probably a dead dog. Despite his lack of class Liason has had impressive workouts and might be worth a look at 50-1.

I’ll Have Another is coming off a long hiatus but without a truly bad performance he has value at 12-1. I’ll Have Another has a win over Bodemeister and is a consistent performer. Hansen has plenty of wind and should be worth a pick at 10-1. In the end Take Charge Indy has all of the tools to pull of a win here and is our Horse Racing Picks unanimous choice to pull away from the pack among the 2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders.

2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders Picks: Take Charge Indy 2 UNITS ($200 to win $1500) 

2012 Kentucky Derby Picks Analysis: This horse drew the #3 pole position and jockey Calvin Borel should be able to find his sweet spot on the rail. Take Charge Indy has some serious early speed and enough of a gas tank to carry that velocity down the back stretch.

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The relatively long 15-1 sports odds on this thoroughbred are mainly based on the fact that this is a speed horse expected to get lost in a crowded field. You can’t ever count out Calvin Borel in the Derby however and too much is being made about the anticipated pace which gives this horse great value.

2012 Kentucky Derby Picks: Take Charge Indy 15-1 Sports Odds (1 UNIT $100 to win $1500)

NBA Picks Analysis: The sportsbooks lowered the line for game two expecting the “zig-zag” handicapping theory to bear fruit but the Heat’s 100-67 win is proof that they have the Knicks number. Miami has +6 home court advantage and Miami’s big three looks very tough on both ends of the court right now. Dwayne Wade is not showing the effects of the strained groin and he should have a big game. The Miami Heat vs New York Knicks Odds Game 2 Total is at 184.0 points.

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Miami is handicapped at -11 on the 2012 NBA playoff odds by our staff giving a 2-point edge over the bookies ATS. We are advising a 2 UNIT ($200 to win $180) on a superior Heat team to cover the point spread.

NBA Picks Play: Miami -9 

Miami Heat vs New York Knicks Odds Game 2 Power Rating Scale 1-10

Miami Heat

Point Guard: 7
Power Forward: 10
Small Forward: 8
Shooting Guard: 10
Center: 6
Bench: 6
Rebounding: 7
Shooting: 8
Turnovers: 6
Coaching: 8

Overall: 76

New York Knicks

Point Guard: 6
Power Forward: 8
Small Forward: 8
Shooting Guard: 6
Center: 7
Bench: 6
Rebounding: 7
Shooting: 7
Turnovers: 7
Coaching: 7

Overall: 70

The  L.A. Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies Odds have Memphis at -5.5 on the spread on the Vegas Casino sports odds

NBA Picks Analysis: The Grizzlies large frontcourt should pose some problems for the Clippers who might lack the bulk to keep up. Clippers star point guard Chris Paul will also be banged up with strained groin which will make him vulnerable against Memphis’s pickpocket defenders. Clieppers powerhouse forward Blake Griffin is on another level but he has little support surrounding him besides CP3. The Memphis Grizzlies depth and size could have the Clippers reeling late in the game. L.A. Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies Odds Total is at 184.0 points on the sports odds.

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Expect both of these teams to play tight defense which is good for a flier bet ($50 to win $45) on the under. Our NBA Betting odds experts handicapped the Grizzlies as a shade better on the power ratings and with a raucous home crowd worth +5.5 points they are worth a 1 UNIT bet ($100 to win $90) to cover at home.

NBA Picks Play: Memphis Grizzlies -5.5 (1 UNIT) Under 184.0 points (0.5 UNITS)

2012 NBA Playoff Odds 1-10 Power Rating Scale

L.A. Clippers

Point Guard: 9
Power Forward: 9
Small Forward: 7
Shooting Guard: 6
Center: 6
Bench: 6
Rebounding: 7
Shooting: 6
Passing: 7
Coaching: 7

L.A. Clippers 2012 NBA Playoffs Odds Power Rating 1-100: 70

Memphis Grizzlies

Point Guard: 7
Power Forward: 7
Small Forward: 8
Shooting Guard: 7
Center: 8
Bench: 8
Rebounding: 7
Shooting: 6
Passing: 6
Coaching: 7

Memphis Grizzlies 2012 NBA Playoffs Odds Power Rating 1-100: 71

Horse Racing Picks Analysis: Hot unbeaten Todd Pletcher trained thoroughbred Gemologist is a very real contender at +700 and is coming off a win at Wood Memorial. Alpha (+1000) Dullahan (+1000) and Creative Cause (+1000) are the first double digit sports odds underdogs with Dullahan the livest contender at 10-1. Stud Hansen at +1200 is also a worthy flier bet to place in the money.

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Don’t expect to find any sure shots in this derby but details could be a more of an x-factor in such a wide open race. Pay close attention as we make our Horse Racing picks on all of the horses for this year’s running as we take a closer look at trainers, jockey’s and the intangibles leading up to this May 5th race at Churchill Downs.

Union Rags +500
Gemologist +700
Alpha +1000
Creative Cause +1000
Dullahan +1000
Hansen +1200
I’LL Have Antoher +1200
Take Charge Indy +1500
El Padrino +1600
Secret Circle +2000
Went The Day Well +2000
Daddy Nose Best +2000
Daddy Long Legs +2500
Done Talking +3000
Mark Valeski +3000
Howe Great +3000
Liaison +3500
Sabercat +3500
Optimizer +5000
Prospective +5000
Reveron +5000
Rousing Sermon +5000
Castaway +10000
Isn’t He Clever +10000
Golden Ticket +12500
Morgans Guerilla +12500