Kentucky Derby 2012 Odds: Horses That Provide Great Value in Marquee Race

The Kentucky Derby allows sports fans around the country to transform into horse racing experts for a day. They probably don't pick up a program the rest of the year, but for one Saturday afternoon each spring everybody thinks they can pick a winner.

Top contenders like Bodemeister and Union Rags will be popular choices at Churchill Downs, so let's look at a few underrated horses that should provide terrific value based on their current odds. All lines provided by AllHorseRacing.com.

Creative Cause – 11/1

Creative Cause has already proven capable of knocking off Bodemeister with an impressive victory in the San Felipe Stakes. In eight career races, the talented colt has finished in the money every time, including four wins.

The best part about Creative Cause is experience. He has already gone up against four Grade 1 fields during his career. That includes the popular Santa Anita Derby where he finished second last month, giving him some momentum heading into the big race.

Rising star Joel Rosario is one of the most promising jockeys in the world, but needs a Kentucky Derby win to join the elite group. Creative Cause gives him a good chance.

Alpha – 11/1

Alpha has the results you look for in a derby contender with three wins and two second-place finishes in six starts. Fellow triple crown hopeful Gemologist outlasted him in the Wood Memorial, but the race did nothing to change Alpha's outlook.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who has led horses to several huge victories but doesn't have a Kentucky Derby win, has done a nice job of slowly increasing the length of Alpha's races so he peaks at Churchill Downs. He's taken to each increase well.

The post position draw will be critical, as it will for all of these second-tier contenders, but Alpha should be in the mix as they turn for home on Saturday.

Daddy Nose Best – 15/1

Don't be surprised if Daddy Nose Best's odds take a significant drop on derby day. While some of that will be due to his ability, most of it will be because he's got the coolest name in the race and amateur players love to pick based on names.

So if you like Daddy Nose Best, and there's plenty of reason to, it's better to wager before Saturday when his odds will likely fall. After winning just twice last year, he has won both his races in 2012 and seems to be rounding into form at the right time.

He's improved markedly since a shaky showing in the high-profile Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and should be well rested after more than a month off. That makes Daddy Nose Best a solid sleeper pick while his odds are still high.