Kentucky Derby 2012: Odds That Will Change Before Race Due to Elite Jockeys

One Kentucky Derby factor that always seems to play a prominent role is the jockey. Good ones can turn an average horse into a strong contender, while a jockey that's had less success or experience can cause a solid horse to struggle.

Let's take a look at three horses that will likely have odds that go down throughout Derby day because of their respective jockeys. For a complete list of morning line odds and post positions, click here.

Take Charge Indy – 15/1

There isn't a more popular Derby jockey than Calvin Borel. He's won the race three times over the past five years, most recently leading Super Saver in 2010. His remarkable ability to set his horse up for a late charge is unmatched.

He understands the Kentucky Derby is often the longest race any of the horses have run at a mile and a quarter. So instead of attempting to get a quick break, Borel likes to play it more conservative so he can immediately get to the rail and wait for the right moment to make a move.

Take Charge Indy will break from the third post, so it shouldn't take long for Borel to assume that inside position. That promising position, plus Borel's track record of success at Churchill Downs, will likely cause his horse's odds to drop quite a bit.

Gemologist – 6/1

Javier Castellano leads all jockeys in winnings this year at nearly $7 million. That includes a total of 282 finishes inside the top three in 475 starts. Anytime a jockey can finish in the money 59 percent of the time, it's going to draw attention.

Although Castellano has never tasted victory in the Kentucky Derby, he has several other marquee wins under his belt. His two biggest wins came in the Breeders' Cup Classic and Preakness Stakes, which is the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Gemologist is a very talented horse to begin with, so adding Castellano to the equation increases his chances of winning even more. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Gemologist to end up going off as the favorite.

Hansen – 10/1

Ramon Dominguez decided to ride Hansen instead of Alpha after leading both horses to impressive performances in recent months. That makes Hansen an intriguing option before his odds begin to change during the afternoon.

Dominguez ranks second in earnings behind Castellano and has matched his top-three finish percentage. Based on this year's results, those are clearly the top two jockeys in the race. In all, the Venezuelan star has won more than 4,300 races in his storied career.

Hansen is the start of a second tier of horses behind favorites like Bodemeister and Union Rags. He's a serious threat to win the race, and having Dominguez as his jockey definitely improves his chances of winning the Run for the Roses.