Kentucky Derby Odds 2012: Handicappers Catalyze Skewed Perception of Field

The latest odds for the 2012 Kentucky Derby appear to ignore post position in a year when post position should prove critical.

Despite Union Rags being given the No. 4 slot in Wednesday's post draw, he has jumped ahead of Bodemeister as the favorite on Friday, holding 5-1 odds.

And not only does Union Rags have an inside position, he's sandwiched in between two solid horses in Take Charge Indy and Dullahan.

Heck, Take Charge Indy's odds have actually gotten better after the post draw, despite the horse being in the No. 3 slot. 

People appear to be looking at the horses without taking into account the all-important post position this year. Sure, poor post position generally isn't the end-all, but this year it may be.

There are 20 horses racing at Churchill Downs on Saturday. There are numerous legit contenders, some with good positions in the middle and the outside. Gemologist's odds have actually gone down, despite being in a good position at the No. 15 slot.

I'm not saying that inside position will completely take the favorites out of the picture on Saturday, but I do find it hard to believe one of the horses on the inside will win. That includes Union Rags, despite how he's run this year.

I'm still taking Bodemeister in this one. Yes, he went unraced at two years old, but he also had 26 workouts in 2011 and Bob Baffert has been working with him tirelessly behind the scenes. He's also at a decent position at No. 6 and won't be sandwiched by premier contenders like some of the others are.

Post position is critical this year, but that has apparently gone unnoticed among bettors.