Kentucky Derby Odds: Long Shots Worth Wagering on for 2013 Race

The Kentucky Derby goes down for the 139th time Saturday from the hallowed Churchill Downs. The excitement. The majesty. The splendor. The juleps. The wide-brimmed hats. 

And, of course, there is the betting.

The latest line has Orb as the favorite at 7-2, followed by Verrazano at 4-1 and Goldencents at 5-1. But where can one look if he or she wishes to find a dark horse, pun intended? I'm glad you asked.

In recent years, the Kentucky Derby has taken on the feel of a major golf tournament. It's almost anybody's game, as evidenced by the fact that no Derby favorite has taken the roses since 2008.

With that in mind, here are a few horses that could shock the field Saturday.

Java's War (30-1)

Java's War is a late entrant into the field. If it wasn't for that simple fact, there might be much better odds here. As it is, according to the official Kentucky Derby website, Java's War has 132 Derby points, which are earned for performance in prep races leading up to Derby season. That point total puts Java's War higher than any other horse outside the three favorites. 

Revolutionary (10-1)

Revolutionary is the sixth-ranked horse in the field with 110 Derby points. A No. 3 post position doesn't necessarily hurt, nor does the fact that Revolutionary will be ridden by Calvin Borel, one of the best jockeys in history and a three-time Derby champ.

Now, there is news that rain is in the Derby forecast. Is Revolutionary the mudder to go with? Calvin Borel certainly is; he guided Super Saver to the 2010 Derby win—and from a similar inside position, no less.

Lines of Battle (33-1)

Lines of Battle has a good draw with the No. 11 post position and comes in with 100 Derby points. He made the Derby by getting an early jump and then making a late charge to win the UAE Derby in late March. Lines of Battle appears to be rounding into form at the right time, and with a slightly outside slot, he is literally well positioned to make another charge down the stretch as he did just over a month ago.