Odds Value to be Found in Wide Open Kentucky Derby

While the betting favorite has won three consecutive editions of the Kentucky Derby (G1), the undefeated Nyquist may be hard pressed to make it four in a row.

The Doug O’Neill trainee is the betting favorite for the Kentucky Derby at online sportsbook Bodog at +300, and it is hard to knock his perfect record in seven starts, his last win coming in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

However, his speed figures do not really stand out, and there are several contenders in the field that have a shot at more attractive prices.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Run for the Roses four times including last year with American Pharoah, will send out Mor Spirit, who ran second in the San Felipe (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his last two outings.

Baffert will give a leg up to Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens, who has won the Kentucky Derby three times. The betting odds for Mor Spirit are +1400.

Mohaymen was hammered in the early Kentucky Derby betting after his impressive victories in the Holy Bull (G2) and Fountain of Youth (G2), his price down to +225 on March 10.

However, horseplayers jumped off his bandwagon after he finished fourth in the Florida Derby, soundly beaten by Nyquist by 8 ¼ lengths.

Horses coming off subpar efforts rarely win the Kentucky Derby, but this colt showed some serious ability in his first five career starts and his Derby odds have now drifted up to +800.

Destin comes into this year’s race having won three of his five starts, taking the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) in his last outing on March 12. That is nearly two months since his last start, with Animal Kingdom’s 42-day break the only recent Derby winner to come back off such a layoff.

However, this colt earned solid speed figures in his last two starts and is at betting odds of +1400 at Bodog.

His trainer Todd Pletcher is a seven-time Eclipse Award winning trainer but has managed to win just one Kentucky Derby (Super Saver in 2010) from 43 starters.

Pletcher will also send out Outwork, who is listed at odds of +1600 for the Kentucky Derby. Outwork has made just four starts in his career, the latest a victory in the Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct on April 9.

Handicapper Michael Dempsey provides his full card analysis for Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Day at turfnsport.com. Readers can use the coupon code “sport” for 20% off reports.