Kentucky Derby Predictions: Longshots with Best Chance to Finish in the Money

The 2012 Kentucky Derby is going to have at least one longshot finish in the money. This field is loaded with talented horses, but no truly dominant ones. 

That sets up for a wide open race full of surprises. And surprises in horse races mean a few lucky bettors will be reaping the rewards of their longshot status. Here are the best bets to jump in on this action. 

Current odds as found on KentuckyDerby.com at 3:30 p.m. ET

Post No. 1: Daddy Long Legs

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

Jockey: Colm O'Donoghue

Morning Odds: 30

Odds: 23

Daddy Long Legs is starting right along the rail in the first post position. This is a tricky spot, but it can be a great one for the right horse. 

It is easy for a horse to get sucked back in the pack in the mad dash for the scramble, but it is the shortest route to the finish line. 

A horse has to be quick of the line and the stamina to stay there. The Kentucky Derby winner has come from the first post position 12 times. No other position has provided as many winners. 

Daddy Long Legs has a great chance to be the 13th, and his odds are getting shorter by the second. 

Post No. 2: Optimizer

Trainer: D. Lukas

Jockey: Jon Court

Morning Odds: 50

Current Odds: 35

Optimizer is a strong horse with great stamina. A horse like this always has a shot at the Derby.

There are always going to be a couple of horses in the deep field that get off to a fast start and push the pace. This sets up for dramatic late charges past tiring horses.

Optimizer also has good pedigree and experience. In just his third start, he finished third behind Dullahan in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity in 2011.

He was also a close fourth to Gemologist at Churchill Downs in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club. 

Again, you can see the betting public latching onto these facts with the dropping odds. 

Post No. 18: Sabercat

Trainer: Steven Asmussen

Jockey: Corey Nakatani

Morning Odds: 30

Current Odds: 32

Sabercat is one of just five horses to win three races leading up to the race to win three or more route races. This kind of winning experience cannot be discounted. 

Sabercat was impressive winning the Delta Downs Jackpot. He has not run against the greatest fields since, but had a great showing with a third in the Arkansas Derby as his last run leading up to this race.

This is another colt with good stamina, and he has an excellent and experienced jockey. Sabercat is loaded with experience. This is a solid play.