Kentucky Derby 2013: 3 Contenders to Consider on Race Day

The 2013 Kentucky Derby field is packed with potential winners.

All of these contenders have proven themselves in the months leading up to this incredible Triple Crown event and arrived at Churchill Downs with intentions to wear the blanket of roses.

However, some just have a better shot than others at accomplishing this, based on the track distance (10 furlongs), experience, trainers, jockeys and other variables.

Whether the odds are long or fairly respectable, here are three horses you can count on to finish near the front and have a good chance to cross the finish line first.

Mylute: 15-1

On April 21, Mylute reportedly ran a half-mile in :47 4/5, the second-fastest time amongst 81 horses at Churchill Downs that day.

While that doesn’t mean this horse is going to dominate the Derby, the fact that it has also improved in a number of other areas bodes well. When the blinkers were finally removed in the Louisiana Derby in late March, Mylute made a great run and just missed surpassing Revolutionary for the victory.

It was a huge step forward after placing seventh in the Risen Star Stakes—a race run with the blinkers on. There should be no hiccups on the first Saturday in May, with the Kentucky Derby set to become the 10th race under this experienced colt’s belt.

There is a lot of value to be had in taking Mylute, so make this bet and don’t be surprised when you are cashing a ticket after the event.

Goldencents: 5-1

Rick Pitino’s horse made some ripples after the Hall of Fame basketball coach won the national championship and Goldencents claimed victory at the Santa Anita Derby, but there hasn’t been much said about this three-year-old thoroughbred since.

However, Goldencents is still one of the best bets on the board and has an extremely good shot at claiming first place in The Run for the Roses this year.

Remember, trainer Doug O’Neill has been working with this horse, the same man that nearly led I’ll Have Another to the Triple Crown last year. While they weren’t able to get it done due to injury at the Belmont Stakes, O’Neill will take another stab in 2013 with Goldencents.

If this colt can claim victory at the Kentucky Derby, there will be whispers about his odds to become the first since Affirmed in 1978 to capture a Triple Crown.

Overanalyze: 15-1

Overanalyze blew away the competition at the 2013 Arkansas Derby in mid-April, finishing with a 4 1/4-length victory with replacement jockey Rafael Bejarano on board.

In fact, Bejarano even claimed he held back down the stretch, telling Blood-Horse.com that he felt he had a “lot of horse left,” but wanted to save it for the next race.

That sort of stamina will be needed against a top-tier field at Churchill Downs, especially depending on the sort of post-position Overanalyze is saddled with.

While this horse is a top-notch contender, getting stuck near the rail or too far outside will doom his chances. Make sure you wait until after the draw to make a big bet on this contender.

2013 Kentucky Derby | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky. | Purse: $2.18 Million | Grade I | Distance: 10 furlongs | Post Time: 7-7:30 p.m. ET

NAME	TRAINER	CURRENT LINE
Black Onyx	Kelly Breen	50-1
Charming Kitten	Todd Pletcher	20-1
Falling Sky	John Terranova, II	50-1
Fear the Kitten (AE)	Mike Maker	50-1
Frac Daddy	Kenny McPeek	50-1
Giant Finish	Tony Dutrow	50-1
Goldencents	Doug O'Neill	5-1
Golden Soul	Dallas Stewart	50-1
Itsmyluckyday	Edward Plesa, Jr.	15-1
Java's War	Kenneth McPeek	15-1
Lines of Battle	Aidan O'Brien	30-1
Mylute	Tom Amoss	15-1
Normandy Invasion	Chad Brown	12-1
Orb	Claude McGaughey III	7-2
Overanalyze	Todd Pletcher	15-1
Oxbow	D. Lukas	30-1
Palace Malice	Todd Pletcher	20-1
Revolutionary	Todd Pletcher	10-1
Verrazano	Todd Pletcher	4-1
Vyjack	Rudy Rodriguez	15-1
Will Take Charge	D. Lukas	20-1

*Odds via KentuckyDerby.com, current as of Thursday, May 2 at 7 a.m. ET