The 148th edition of the Kentucky Derby comes tomorrow, and The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports will certainly be welcome for sports betting enthusiasts tired of all of the changes to the sport that were required by COVID-19 protocols and of the controversy that has hung over the sport since Bob Baffert’s suspension a year ago. The focus will get back to the racing and to the horses – as it should. Check out the Kentucky Derby odds for each horse, as well as some of our wagering suggestions.
Horse Racing News: Kentucky Drby Odds
Post 1: Mo Donegal (10/1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
Mo Donegal ran well for third, finishing behind White Abarrio in the Holy Bull, which is a shorter event. However, he ran on the rail to a big win at the Wood Memorial. He saved ground in that race and then finished big, and he has drawn the rail once again this time around. Expect Ortiz to keep him in the middle of the pack and hope for an opening in the traffic. I’m not sure he gets that opening two races in a row.
Post 2: Happy Jack (30/1)
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
He came in a distant third in both the Santa Anita Derby (which Taiba won) and the San Felipe. In both of those races, his odds were 26/1. O’Neill has indicated that he is pleased with the progress of this horse, but he hasn’t shown any real promise to contend.
Post 3: Epicenter (7/2)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Epicenter strolled to an easy win at the Risen Star, where he beat Zandon, and then he also won the Louisiana Derby easily. Has Epicenter hit his peak yet? Steve Asmussen has his best chance to win a Derby in what will be his 24th attempt.
Post 4: Summer is Tomorrow (30/1)
Trainer: Bhupat Seemar
Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Summer is Tomorrow has a pair of wins in seven starts, with all of that experience coming in Dubai. He came in second behind Crown Pride at the UAE Derby before he was shipped to Kentucky. However, the runner-up at the UAE Derby can be a long way from contending at Churchill Downs.
Post 5: Smile Happy (20/1)
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
He won the Kentucky Juvenile and took second at the Risen Star, behind Epicenter, and second at the Blue Grass, behind Zandon. In both of those races, he was less than two lengths off the winner. This is a loaded field, but this could be an interesting top-three prospect.
Post 6: Messier (8/1)
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: John Velazquez
Messier won a Grade III stakes by 15 lengths, and he was cruising at the Santa Derby before Taiba zipped by him in the middle of the stretch. Tim Yakteen is the trainer acting for Bob Baffert, still under suspension, so don’t be surprised to see this horse finish in the money.
Post 7: Crown Pride (20/1)
Trainer: Koichi Shintani
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Bred in Japan, this horse traveled once to win the UAE Derby and has won three of his last four. Epicenter is the other horse proven at the lengthy distance.
Post 8: Charge It (20/1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
Charge It came in second at the Florida Derby, just a length behind White Abarrio. This is one of many horses who could blow the field away, but in the stretch at the Florida Derby, he didn’t look like he was giving its all, but Luis Saez is one of the best jockeys.
Post 9: Tiz the Bomb (30/1)
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez
Tiz the Bomb has won twice on turf, including the Jeff Ruby. On the dirt, though, he was beaten badly by White Abarrio, which is why the odds are this size.
Post 10: Zandon (3/1)
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Zandon was dead last in a field of 11 at the Blue Grass Stakes before roaring back to win the whole thing. He did lose to Epicenter at the Risen Star, as he fell behind and he could not catch up. The rematch will be interesting.
Post 11: Pioneer of Medina (30/1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Joe Bravo
This horse finished fourth at the Risen Star and third at the Louisiana Derby (Epicenter won both races). That third-place in Louisiana gave him the points to enter at Churchill Downs, and expect his rider to get him going fast in a hurry to push the pace.
Post 12: Taiba (12/1)
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: Mike Smith
Tailba is 2 for 2 after beating Messier in the Santa Anita Derby. This is a horse that reminds some observers of Justify, and he offers a ton of value.
Post 13: Simplification (20/1)
Trainer: Antonio Sano
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Simplification won the Fountain of Youth, but that third-place finish at the Florida Derby, behind White Abarrio, saw the enthusiasm drop. He has shortened his stride, so the long distance here might tire him out.
Post 14: Barber Road (30/1)
Trainer: John Ortiz
Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez
Barber Road lost to Un Ojo at the Rebel Stakes by a neck. Then he came in second behind Cyberknife at the Arkansas Derby. He has not won as a three-year-old, but he does make the board regularly. I’m not sure he does it with this field.
Kentucky Derby Betting Odds
Love betting on horses like in the Kentucky Derby? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date Kentucky Derby Betting Odds
