Kentucky Derby 2013 Odds: Horses with Lines Too Good to Pass Up

The 2013 Kentucky Derby's gates are about to open, so checking up on the latest and best odds for the competition makes for better betting preparation.

It's also important to note that it is rare to see the favorite win. According to About.com, no favorite has won since 2008 and from 1980 through 1999, the favorite failed to win.

Therefore, don't get too hyped up with confidence on the expected top finisher. After the horse with the best odds, though, are some impressive contenders holding appealing odds.

Normandy Invasion: 7-1

First off, Normandy Invasion is in strong post position (post five) to get ahead of the pack early.

Given the depth and talent in this race, accelerating out of the gates quickly becomes a strong advantage. Normandy Invasion has this capability, as well as the consistency entering Kentucky.

If anything, his closing speed will be the deciding factor. Throughout the race he'll need to remain slightly ahead of the middle, which is prime position to make a chase down the stretch.

Jockey Javier Castellano also brings excellent experience and strong success to the table. He has countless major racing victories, as well as two from the Breeders' Cup (2004 Classic, 2006 Preakness).

Mylute: 13-1

The good news regarding Mylute is that he has improved as 2013 has progressed.

Mylute's pedigree even helps because it—per Horseracingnation.com—includes Midnight Lute, who had great success from 2005 through 2008. Winning or finishing near the top is simply in his blood.

The challenge will be maintaining stamina throughout, however. Sitting next to Normandy Invasion within the gates (post six), Mylute will be contested from the start. Provided he uses that quick sprinting burst to keep pace, though, Mylute will be in the mix around the final turn.

Furthermore, he's in good hands with jockey Rosie Napravnik. Despite being just 25 years old, Napravnik has displayed incredible success since 2012 where she ranked No. 8 in national earnings.

Overanalyze: 14-1

Overanalyze enters Churchill Downs with much confidence after taking wins at the 2012 Remsen Stakes and Arkansas Derby.

Each of those races were nine furlongs, so one more in Kentucky won't be a major issue. And although there was certainly a wide gap between those contests, Arkansas was just last month.

In short, Overanalyze proved the natural talent to come out on top after not competing at a consistent rate.  Plus, his position (post nine) for the derby suits nicely to set the pace from the start. Jockey Rafael Bejarano also showed confidence upon winning in Arkansas, in an article by Jack Shinar of Bloodhorse.com:

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"My horse broke really good. I placed him right behind the early speed because I didn't want to rush him. At the half-mile pole, He started to chase the horses on the lead and he kicked clear," Bejarano said. "I had a beautiful trip. Once we got to the stretch, I felt like I had a lot of horse left and saved something for the next race."

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So, leading into the first leg of the Triple Crown, Overanalyze definitely possesses the talent to make a run at history.

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
1. Black Onyx	Kelly Breen	Scratch
2. Charming Kitten	Todd Pletcher	29-1
3. Falling Sky	John Terranova, II	39-1
4. Fear the Kitten (AE)	Mike Maker	Scratch
5. Frac Daddy	Kenny McPeek	23-1
6. Giant Finish	Tony Dutrow	39-1
7. Goldencents	Doug O'Neill	6-1
8. Golden Soul	Dallas Stewart	31-1
9. Itsmyluckyday	Edward Plesa, Jr.	9-1
10. Java's War	Kenneth McPeek	22-1
11. Lines of Battle	Aidan O'Brien	33-1
12. Mylute	Tom Amoss	13-1
13. Normandy Invasion	Chad Brown	7-1
14. Orb	Claude McGaughey III	7-1
15. Overanalyze	Todd Pletcher	14-1
16. Oxbow	D. Lukas	23-1
17. Palace Malice	Todd Pletcher	24-1
18. Revolutionary	Todd Pletcher	5-1
19. Verrazano	Todd Pletcher	9-1
20. Vyjack	Rudy Rodriguez	36-1
21. Will Take Charge	D. Lukas	29-1

*Odds and Post Positions via KentuckyDerby.com, current as of Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. ET