Kentucky Derby 2012: Odds for Field Favorites to Win the Triple Crown

The Triple Crown has not been captured in 34 years, but the 2012 chapter will begin with the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, and horse racing fans young and old are hoping to see just the twelfth horse to capture the US Triple Crown in history.

These are the odds for the field favorites to achieve what looks closer to impossible with every passing year. The Triple Crown of horse racing is one of the most prestigious and difficult achievements in sports.

While betting on there not being a Triple Crown winner is the safer bet in any year, these are the odds for each field favorite to do the impossible, and it all starts at the Kentucky Derby, followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

Dullahan 150-1

Dullahan is arguably the best closer in the world at this point in time. He showed it by his incredible speed and navigation of competitors to win the Blue Grass Stakes, and he also showed it at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

While closing is a very important asset to have when trying to win any horse race, Dullahan has not been consistent enough to show that he is capable of winning all three races.

I think one victory could be in store for Dullahan if all goes well, but the odds are not in his favor.

Gemologist 125-1

Following a hard-fought victory at the Wood Memorial, Gemologist is now a trendy pick to win the Kentucky Derby.

Gemologist is hot right now, but I don't see him winning at the Preakness or Belmont Stakes. I still have questions about whether or not he deserves to be atop most power rankings, and he has fallen in recent weeks, thanks in part to Bodemeister's performance and in part to a lack of confidence.

What's also interesting is that the last horse to run in the Wood Memorial and win the Kentucky Derby was Funny Cide in 2003, and winners have done even worse than participants.

The odds are just no in Gemologist's favor.

Bodemeister 50-1

Bodemeister's recent showing at the Arkansas Derby was enough to capture any horse racing fan's attention. He crushed the competition, winning by a ridiculous nine lengths.

There were questions about whether or not he could handle long distances, but he proved that he could, and he now sits atop my personal power rankings of the field.

Bodemeister has been incredibly consistent and has a great chance to win the Triple Crown compared to most other horses, but he is only in second on this list.

Union Rags 30-1

Union Rags is the favorite to win the Triple Crown in 2012 if any horse is going to do so. He is a very consistent horse that always runs well, and jockey Julien Leparoux and Union Rags have great chemistry.

However, he is not perfect. Union Rags had an awful race at the Florida Derby, which was supposed to showcase his talent, and he ended up finishing in sixth because of a few major bad breaks and a bad ride from Leparoux.

That was the only bad race in Union Rags' career, however, and he typically finishes in the top three of any given race. He has a decent shot at winning the Triple Crown despite competing against such a talented field, and if anyone is going to do it it will be him.

Look out for Union Rags on Saturday, as he begins his quest for the Triple Crown.

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