Kentucky Derby 2012: Introducing the Top Contenders for This Year's Race

Don't look now, but the 2012 Kentucky Derby is less than 10 days away.

Right about now is the time when all of us start scrambling for answers in terms of who the favorites are. It's not an exact science, but the horses that should contend for the roses typically aren't hard to spot.

A lot can happen between now and race day, but here's a look at four early favorites that have emerged from the field.

Note: odds according to Bovada.

Dullahan

Current Odds: 10-1

Dullahan is in the discussion because of what he did at the Blue Grass Stakes a couple weeks ago.

He trailed for much of the race, but a late surge allowed him to overcome Hansen by just over a length.

Dullahan is trending in the right direction as he prepares to take on his first mile-and-a-quarter race at Churchill Downs. If he can keep pace in the Derby as he did at the Blue Grass Stakes, another late burst could very well deliver the roses for trainer Dale Romans.

"This is the best chance by far that I've had," said Romans after Dullahan won the Blue Grass Stakes, "and I think he's the right horse."

Gemologist

Current Odds: 7-1

Gemologist is coming into the Derby on a very impressive hot streak. In fact, he has yet to lose a race.

Most recently, Gemologist won the Wood Memorial at the Aqueduct in early April. Just as Dullahan put away the Blue Grass Stakes in impressive fashion, Gemologist won the Wood Memorial thanks to a strong finish.

Per the USA Today, Gemologist appeared to have the race under control around the final turn, but then Alpha appeared as a challenger. That's when Gemologist went into another gear, and won the race handily.

The fact that Gemologist still had enough energy left for a late burst after racing to the front of the pack around the final turn is encouraging. He may be able to keep pace with the leaders at the Derby, and then outrace any and all late chargers.

Union Rags

Current Odds: 9-2

Union Rags checks in at No. 1 on the Associated Press' list of the top 10 Kentucky Derby contenders, just ahead of Gemologist.

Union Rags should be plenty fresh for the Derby, as he hasn't raced since finishing third at the Florida Derby in late March. That was a disappointing result, but it's a result that can be forgiven. Surface conditions at Gulfstream Park were hardly ideal, and there wasn't a whole lot Union Rags could do after he got pinned against the rail for the better part of the race.

Before that, Union Rags was on fire, winning three of his last four starts. Last week, he worked four furlongs in just 47.40 seconds, an encouraging sign.

Be wary of Union Rags if he ends up starting up against the rail. From any other position, he's a threat.

Bodemeister

Current Odds: 9-2

Bodemeister has looked awfully impressive since starting his career in January, notching two wins and two second-place finishes.

Bodemeister's most recent win at the Arkansas Derby on April 14th was impressive. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, he won the Arkansas Derby by nearly 10 full lengths, running the best speed-adjusted race of the year to this point.  

That is obviously encouraging. What we're going to find out is whether Bodemeister can keep up that kind of speed for a mile-and-a-quarter against top-notch competition. His relative lack of experience may prove to be his biggest problem.

Bob Baffert, Bodemeister's trainer, isn't too worried about that.

"I just took my time with him," Baffert said, according to the Associated Press. "He was just immature. I wasn't in a big hurry with him, so I'm glad I did. It made him a better horse."

It's been a while since one of Baffert's horses won the Derby. Perhaps he's due.