Orb Betting Favorite In 2013 Kentucky Derby Odds

The official morning line odds for the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby were announced on Wednesday along with post positions, and we have a new favorite for the Run for the Roses.

Florida Derby (G1) winner Orb was installed as the 7-2 morning line favorite by Churchill Downs linesmaker Mike Battaglia.

Orb has been the buzz horse on the backstretch at Churchill Downs over the past week, and half of fame trainer Shug McGaughey appears to be bringing the colt into the race on Saturday in top form.

The undefeated Verrazano has spent all spring as the betting favorite for the Run for the Roses, closing at 7-1 in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager on March 22, and the colt has been seen as low as 7-2 at offshore racebooks.

Currently Bovada has the Todd Pletcher trainee at 4-1, matching the price of Orb.

There were no earth shattering developments at the post position draw on Wednesday afternoon at Churchill Downs. Orb drew the 16 post and will have jockey Joel Rosario aboard. John Velazquez rode the colt in his two stakes wins but is sticking with Verrazano. Rosario rode Orb in his first five career starts.

Verrazano drew the 14 post and should be able to get away cleanly from the gate with the two runners to his inside, Falling Sky (post 13) and Itsmyluckyday (post 12) both possessing good early speed.

The third choice on the morning line is the Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Goldencents at 5-1. The colt figures to be sitting just off the early pace under Derby rookie rider Kevin Krigger. The colt is trained by Doug O’Neill, who saddled last year’s Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another. The colt will break from post eight.

The fourth choice on the morning line is Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Revolutionary at 10-1. The colt is trained by Pletcher and will be ridden for the first time by Calvin Borel, who has booted home three Derby winners in his career. Borel will be inducted in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame this summer.

Here are the current betting odds for the Kentucky Derby:

Post

Horse

  Churchill ML Odds

Bovada Odds

1

 Black Onyx

 50-1   

 50-1

2

 Oxbow

 30-1

  33-1

3

 Revolutionary

 10-1

  17-2

4

 Golden Soul

 50-1

50-1

5

 Normandy Invasion

 12-1

  9-1

6

 Mylute

 15-1

  16-1

7

 Giant Finish

 50-1

  50-1

8

 Goldencents

 5-1

  11-2

9

 Overanalyze

 15-1

  14-1

10

 Palace Malice

20-1

  25-1

11

 Lines of Battle

 30-1

  33-1

12

 Itsmyluckyday

 15-1

  12-1

13

 Falling Sky

 50-1

50-1

14

 Verrazano

 4-1

  4-1

15

 Charming Kitten

 20-1

 25-1

16

 Orb

 7-2

  4-1

17

 Will Take Charge

 20-1

  20-1

18

 Frac Daddy

 50-1

  40-1

19

 Java's War

 15-1

  16-1

20

 Vyjack

 15-1

  16-1

 

 ALSO ELIGIBLE

 

 

21

 Fear the Kitten

 50-1

  n/a

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