Kentucky Derby 2012: Opening Odds for Every Horse in the Field

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The 138th Kentucky Derby kicks off Saturday, and I for one am excited.

Although I wouldn't consider myself a major horse racing fan, there's something about the Triple Crown that gets me excited.

And, I'm sure I'm not the only sports fan that's like that.

To prepare for the first leg of the Triple Crown, I've looked at some of the racing history of this year's horses, and have to say I'm rather impressed with the field.

From Bodemeister, with impressive speed, to unbeaten Gemologist to Santa Anita Derby winner I'll Have Another, this year's field promises to provide an exciting race.

Here's a look at the opening odds for the race.

Union Rags: 5-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Chadds Ford Stable

Trainer

Michael Matz

Jockey

Julien Leparoux

 

Outlook:

The line on Union Rags is going to fluctuate throughout the week.

Some people have him at the same 5-1 or 9-2 odds that I think he'll be, while other prognosticators are thinking he'll be closer to 15-1.

Regardless, Union Rags is a favorite going into the Derby, even after a third-place finish recently at the Florida Derby.

Bodemesiter: 15-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Zayat Stables

Trainer

Bob Baffert

Jockey

Mike Smith

 

Outlook:

Bodemeister, named for Bob Baffert's son Bode, is one of the more intriguing horses in the field. He won the Arkansas Derby by more than 10 lengths and could do the same in the Kentucky Derby. One thing Bodemeister didn't do was race last year. So, if he does win the Derby, he would be the first horse to win the Derby after not racing as a two-year-old.

Daddy Nose Best: 25-1

http://cdn.bloodhorse.com/images/content/DaddyNoseBestElCaminoRealDerby2012VP298.jpg

Owner

Cathy and Bob Zollars

Trainer

Steve Asmussen

Jockey

Garrett Gomez

 

Outlook:

Having four wins in 10 career starts, Daddy Nose Best has the ability to win on any course. With flawless training over the last few weeks, the colt looks like he's coming into the Derby clicking on all cylinders. By the time the gates open on Saturday, I wouldn't be surprised to see his odds drop to 10-1.

Gemologist: 7-1

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/616/468/Gemologist_crop_650x440.jpg?1331998744

Owner

WinStar Farm LLC.

Trainer

Todd Pletcher

Jockey

Javier Castellano

 

Outlook:

Gemologist is another lightly used horse, but he hasn't lost yet, so that means it's working. Gemologist comes into the race as my favorite to win, but not because he's undefeated. I'm putting him with the best odds because he's faced countless challenges on the racetrack, pushing back all challengers.

Dullahan: 20-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Donegal Racing

Trainer

Dale Romans

Jockey

Kent Desormeaux

 

Outlook:

Dullahan finished fourth at the Juvenile, but has found more success on synthetic turf. Running on dirt, I'm not as confident in the colt's abilities. But, I've been proven wrong in the past. He has very good closing speed, which could benefit him if he's in the running down the home stretch.

Alpha: 23-1

http://cdn.bloodhorse.com/images/content/AlphaWithers2012AdamMooshianAC298.jpg

Owner

Godolphin

Trainer

Kiaran McLaughlin

Jockey

Alan Garcia

 

Outlook:

Alpha is coming off a second-place finish at the Wood Memorial and a win at Withers. However, the colt finished 11th a Churchill Downs in November at the Juvenile, so that doesn't bode well in a return to the track that will feature many of the same horses in the starting gates.

Creative Cause: 7-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Heinz Steinmann

Trainer

Mike Harrington

Jockey

Joel Rosario

 

Outlook:

Coming off a second-place finish at the Santa Anita Derby, Creative Cause is one of the favorites going into the race. This horse has raced the others in the field countless times, so familiarity with the other horses won't be a problem.

I'll Have Another: 18-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

J. Paul Reddam

Trainer

Doug O'Neill

Jockey

Mario Gutierrez

 

Outlook:

The Santa Anita Derby winner, I'll Have Another is coming into the Kentucky Derby looking strong. But, why are other horses favored? The reason is no Santa Anita Derby winner has won the Kentucky Derby since 1989, so that will play a large part in the odds.

Hansen: 10-1

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2012-03/85706300-03174600.jpg

Owner

Dr. Kendall Hansen & Sky Chai Racing

Trainer

Mike Maker

Jockey

Ramon Dominguez

 

Outlook:

Hansen has done nothing but finish in the top two in its last four races. With wins at the Juvenile and Gotham, Hansen comes into the Derby as another favorite. Although many experts have questioned his distance limitations, I think we're going to see something different in the Derby. I won't be surprised to see this horse finishing in the top three.

Take Charge Indy: 14-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Chuck & Maribeth Sandford

Trainer

Patrick Byrne

Jockey

Calvin Borel

 

Outlook:

The winner of the Florida Derby a month ago, Take Charge Indy has recovered nicely at the Juvenile. Because of that, many have largely dismissed this horse, but that could mean severe trouble for their predictions. Take Charge Indy is a serious contender, and someone that is smart, would place money on this horse.

Daddy Long Legs: 25-1

Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Owner

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor

Trainer

Aidan O'Brien

Jockey

Colm O'Donoghue

 

Outlook:

Coming off a win at the UAE Derby, Daddy Long Legs has inexperience in one area--running on dirt. That could prove to be this horse's downfall as the other horses in the race have a lot of experience running on dirt. However, if Daddy Long Legs can stay strong early, he could surprise many and finish in the top five.

Done Talking: 50-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Skeedattle Stables

Trainer

Hamilton Smith

Jockey

Sheldon Russell

 

Outlook:

Honestly, I don't believe Done Talking has much hope in this derby. If the field wasn't as strong than it is, then this horse could possibly place. But, the other horses are just so much stronger, that unless something freaky happens, I think Done Talking finishes at the back of the pack.

El Padrino: 38-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Let's Go Stable

Trainer

Todd Pletcher

Jockey

Rafael Bejarano

 

Outlook:

Critics will point out that El Padrino finished fifth at the Florida Derby in a very unimpressive showing. Although royally bred, El Padrino has some major shortfalls in his racing ability and those flaws will be exposed early in the race.

Liaison: 49-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Arnold Zetcher

Trainer

Bob Baffert

Jockey

Martin Garcia

 

Outlook:

The question is, will the heart attack suffered by Bob Baffert affect this horse? With already long odds, not having the normal amount of time with a trainer can really hurt a horse in the Derby. I guess we'll see what happens on Saturday.

Optimizer: 50-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Bluegrass Hall LLC

Trainer

D. Wayne Lukas

Jockey

Jon Court

 

Outlook:

To say Optimizer has struggled lately on the racetrack is an understatement. On paper, this horse looks overmatched from top to bottom. This horse is my pick to finish last, unless another horse pulls up with an injury.

Prospective: 40-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

John C. Oxley

Trainer

Mark Casse

Jockey

Luis Contreras

 

Outlook:

This horse has been very up and down throughout its career with a win at the Tampa Bay Derby and a 13th-place finish at the Juvenile. It's hard to get a read on this horse, but hopefully we'll see more consistency on the track.

Rousing Sermon: 45-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Larry and Marianne Williams, Tree Top Ranches

Trainer

Jerry Hollendorfer

Jockey

Jose Lezcano

 

Outlook:

Although there is stamina throughout his bloodline, it's mainly a female bloodline. As much as I want to see him succeed because of his name, I just don't see it. Other horses have more speed, and if this horse can manage to stay with the pack around the final turn, he doesn't have as good of a kick to place that the others do.

Sabercat: 40-1

http://www.drf.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_main/photos/Sabercat.Asmussen,%20Steve01.10-29-11.BL__0.jpg

Owner

Winchell Thoroughbreds

Trainer

Steve Asmussen

Jockey

Corey Nakatani

 

Outlook:

Coming off a third-place finish at the Arkansas Derby, Sabercat comes in as another longshot for the Derby. But, with a potent pedigree, which includes traces of Secretariat, it's hard to really discount this horse. If there was a longshot that had a chance to win the Derby, it would be this one.

Trinniberg: 50-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Shivananda Racing

Trainer

Bisnath Parboo

Jockey

Willie Martinez

 

Outlook:

Coming off two seven-furlong wins, Trinniberg is a horse that can surprise many. However, this will be his first race over seven furlongs, which doesn't bode well. Something miraculous will need to happen if this horse wants to win. My expectations is that it will fade out of contention by the middle of the backstretch.

Went the Day Well: 14-1

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Owner

Team Valor International

Trainer

H. Graham Motion

Jockey

John Velazquez

 

Outlook:

With the same connections as last year's Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, Went the Day Well definitely has the pedigree to pull off the win. And, get this. Went the Day Well won his last race at the Vinery Spiral Stakes, which also happens to be where Animal Kingdom won prior to winning the Derby. Coincidence?