The 2011 Kentucky Derby odds for the heads-up pairing of Shackleford vs Mucho Macho Man are quite interesting considering that they are both in the middle of the pack to be the outright winners of this race. Shackleford and Mucho Macho Man are both listed as +12-1 favorites to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby, but Mucho Macho Man is a slight -125 favorite to finish ahead of Shackleford whose odds are at -105, a little closer to even money. The slight incline towards Mucho Macho Man could be the post positions. Both horses will be side-by-side in the middle of the pack with jockey Rajiv Maragh and Mucho Macho Man starting 13th and Shackleford 14th.

Mucho Macho Man will be the youngest thoroughbred in the starting gate as all the other horses are 3-year-olds.The Mucho Macho Man was born on an uncommonly late date, but by spring, he was mature enough to win the Risen Star at the fairgrounds in Louisiana and then came to a third place finish in the Louisiana Derby, even though he lost a shoe as he left the gate. Reeves thinks his horse made a very uncertain stretch run considering that mishap, and if he's right, his horse racing odds could surprise a lot of people. I'm taking Shackleford at -105 to finish before Mucho Macho Man as the odds at Bodog.com are almost even on what I believe is a mismatch.

Mucho Macho Man is a very nice story with trainer Kathy Ritvio, who survived massive health hurdles, but Shackleford is a more proven runner up to this point. Shackleford turned in a time of 1:50.07 around the 1 1/8-mile track at Gulfstream Park behind contender Dialed In who is listed as a 4/1 horse betting favorite in 2011 Kentucky Derby picks. That being said, the 3-year-old can do better as shown with an allowance race win early this year with a time of 1:50.04. I think neither of these horses favor in the top 3, but Shackleford could sneak in on some huge superfecta tickets.

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