Former British champion jockey tipped to make ‘big impact’ in Kentucky Derby with 20-1 outsider

A FORMER British champion all-weather jockey is being tipped to make a ‘big impact’ in the Kentucky Derby on his 20-1 outsider.

Ben Curtis has made the move to the States permanent after waving goodbye to Britain late last year.

PACurtis is quietly fancied to win the biggest race of his life on the 20-1 outsider[/caption]

His earnings skyrocketed ‘more than expected‘ following a successful spell in the saddle in New Orleans, Louisiana.

And now he is fancied to spring an almighty shock in the ‘Run for the Roses’ at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

Curtis has been jocked up on three-year-old colt Honor Marie, who won £200,000 on debut in a Grade 2 at Churchill Downs last November.

Honor Marie has finished fifth and second in two subsequent runs, the latter being under Curtis.

And one US form expert reckons Honor Marie, who has a great draw in stall seven, is a ‘live longshot’ in the race worth £2.5million to the winner after his price was slashed from 33-1 into 20-1.

Pete Fornatale wrote on At The Races: “Honor Marie was notably short of fitness for his seasonal debut and improved significantly second up, securing a good second to Catching Freedom in the Louisiana Derby.

“If he improves again in the third race of the form cycle, he has a chance to reverse that form and make a big impact in this race at a price.

“He also owns a win at Churchill Downs, which can only be seen as a positive.

“He’ll likely need a strong pace to do his best running, but he’s under the radar and very interesting at current odds.”

Sierra Leone is the 3-1 favourite for the big race, due off at 11.57pm and shown live on Sky Sports Racing.

Frankie Dettori also has a mount, but maybe not quite the one he was hoping for when he left Britain in search of a win in America’s biggest race.

The world’s most famous rider will line up on 33-1 chance Society Man.

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