2013 Kentucky Derby: Horses with Best Chance to Finish in the Money

The 2013 Kentucky Derby is wide open. This race is headed for a deep and talented field, and there is not one three-year-old that stands head and shoulders above the competition. 

While this sets up for an exciting race, it doesn't lend itself to a lot of bettor confidence. 

Well, after poring over the horses in this race, I have emerged with three horses I feel confident about. 

Verrazano

With four starts and four wins under Verrazano's belt, this horse is on the top of many people's lists of favorites.

This horse should have no problem with the distance of the Kentucky Derby, and he has picked up some nice experience running against talented fields.

He took the Tampa Bay Derby by outpacing fellow Kentucky Derby hopeful Java's War. Then, his last time out, he won the Wood Memorial over more Derby hopefuls in Normandy Invasion and Vyjack.

Normandy Invasion actually closed to less than a length on Verrazano in that race, which does offer up some hesitation to picking this horse. However, leave it to his trainer, Todd Pletcher, to bring me back in.

The Albany Times Union's Tim Wilkin passed along this confidence-inspiring quote from the legendary trainer: 

Pletcher has a small army of horses ready to run in the Kentucky Derby. So he has no reason to throw things out there like that if he doesn't believe them. 

This is a talented horse who has shown the will to win and is a solid bet come race day. 

Orb

This horse is not hurting for pre-race attention. Of course, that is what will happen to the horse that is No. 1 in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's top three-year-old poll as we approach the Kentucky Derby. 

Orb enters the Derby off of four straight wins, and the last two were graded stakes. His last time out he took the Florida Derby by besting fellow Kentucky Derby hopeful Itsmyluckyday, and back on Nov. 24 he won by beating another Derby horse—the highly touted Revolutionary. 

This horse has been geared up for the longer races, and he is coming into his own.

He also appears to be itching to compete. HRTV's Zoe Cadman tweeted out this picture of a keyed-up Orb: 

Orb has a strong chance of leaving the gate on May 4 as the favorite, and he is certainly a wonderful bet to finish in the money. 

Goldencents

Last year's winning Kentucky Derby trainer, Doug O'Neill, brings Goldencents to the field this year, and he has to like his chances of pulling off a repeat performance.

There are some striking similarities between Goldencents and last year's winner, I'll Have Another.

For starters, both took the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby heading into Kentucky, and both had three wins in graded races.

Goldencents has now won four of his last six races, and he's come out on top over fellow Derby contenders Mylute and Itsmyluckday. 

This horse has been in the spotlight for myriad reasons, not the least of which is that Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is a part owner. This horse offers up a chance for Pitino to have a very nice couple of months. 

Famous part owner aside, Goldencents has quality experience, the stamina to handle the distance and a nice track record.