Epsom Derby 2013: Post Time, Odds and Predictions for Entire Field

Saturday will mark the 234th running of the Epsom Derby, and the second leg of the United Kingdom's Triple Crown features plenty of intriguing developments to monitor.

Headlining the field is Dawn Approach, who is the 11-to-8 favorite and is in prime post position at the No. 3 slot to thrive against his 11 other competitors at Epsom Downs Racecourse. He crushed the field at the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, and will look to become the first Triple Crown winner in the UK since 1970's Nijinsky.

Prominent trainer Aidan O'Brien didn't have the success he was hoping for on the other side of the pond in the Kentucky Derby, where his entry, Lines of Battle, finished in seventh place. However, O'Brien's  Magician won his native Irish 2,000 Guineas Stakes—not to be confused with the first jewel that Dawn Approach captured.

Magician will not run in Surrey, but O'Brien does boast good odds to win again in this marquee race. Owners Coolmore Racing tweeted that five O'Brien pupils will run at Epsom Downs:

In fact, O'Brien's son, Joseph, is slated to be in the saddle for No. 2 favorite Battle of Marengo, who begins closest to the rail. That was a winning combination in 2012, as Camelot won by five lengths. Joseph O'Brien was in the saddle for Magician's win at the Curragh.

Below is a breakdown of the entire field, including odds and predictions for the top three in this exhilarating horse racing showcase.

Note: All past results and pedigrees are courtesy of Equibase.com and BBC Sport.

Where: Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom, Surrey, England

When: Saturday, June 1

Post Time: 11 a.m. ET

Watch: Channel 4 

Distance: One mile, four furlongs and 10 yards (2,423 meters)

Purse:  £1,250,000

Post Positions and Complete Field

Post Position	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
1	Battle of Marengo	A. O’Brien	J. O’Brien	11-2
2	Chopin	A. Wohler	J. Spencer	10-1
3	Dawn Approach	J. Bolger	K. Manning	11-8
4	Festive Cheer	A. O’Brien	S. Heffernan	18-1
5	Flying the Flag	A. O’Brien	C. O’Donaghue	100-1
6	Galileo Rock	D. Wachman	W. Lordan	25-1
7	Libertarian	Mrs. K. Burke	W. Buick	14-1
8	Mars	A. O’Brien	R. Hughes	15-1
9	Mirsaale	J. Tate	N. Callan	66-1
10	Ocean Applause	J. Ryan	D. O’Donohue	500-1
11	Ocovango	A. Fabre	P. Boudot	8-1
12	Ruler Of The World	A. O’Brien	R. Moore	8-1

*Odds are courtesy of William Hill, and are current as of May 31 at 6 p.m. ET

Predictions for Win, Place and Show 

Win: Dawn Approach

Horses that haven't lost don't always live up to the hype in big races, and there will be palpable pressure on trainer Jim Bolger to maintain that unblemished mark.

Having said that, it doesn't seem that will be the case with Dawn Approach, whose recent form was praised by Bolger even after his Triple Crown triumph, as documented by Francis Keogh of BBC Sport:

Dawn Approach is the son of 2008 Epsom Derby winner New Approach, and the grandson of Galileo, who won this race back in 2001. That type of pedigree and his own success make Dawn Approach a logical top choice amongst oddsmakers.

The only element not working in Dawn Approach's favor comes at the wager window. Betting on him is not the most encouraged action to take, simply due to the lack of prospective profit.

Otherwise, there is no downside to this horse, and unlike Orb in the United States, he should find the winner's circle on Saturday in Surrey, continuing his pursuit of the elusive, ultimate honor in British horse racing.

Place: Ruler Of The World

The O'Brien bunch will improve on the fifth-sixth showing by their top two contenders at the Guineas Stakes, but it won't be enough to come out on top. Dawn Approach is simply running too strong right now.

In his six-length dominance at the Chester Vase, though, Ruler Of The World proved that he has the requisite stamina on a longer track to contend in the Epsom Derby.

Also helping the cause is jockey Ryan Moore getting the mount. Moore rode Lines of Battle at Churchill Downs, and Aidan O'Brien clearly trusts him to fare well even with a relative long shot.

Unlike some others that don't possess ideal experience, Ruler Of The World should not be discounted for his lack of impressive resume.

If anything, being a fresher horse should help him at this flat, lengthy track. Expect him to give Dawn Approach a strong push, but to fall just short.

Show: Battle of Marengo

It's hard to dismiss the historic father-son tandem of the O'Briens, even if traffic should be a significant issue for this horse at the No. 1 post position.

Battle of Marengo is on absolute fire, winning his previous five races. That included the Grade II Derristown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, Ireland, with the recently turned 20-year-old Joseph O'Brien getting the mount.

O'Brien may be a ridiculously young jockey, but he's proven he can get it done on the big stage and has all the positive experience he needs to draw on at his disposal.

Not only should his confidence be sky-high after Camelot's triumph last year, but he knows how to effectively maneuver his current horse to the winner's circle, too.

Though it won't be quite enough to muster a win, O'Brien should break Battle of Marengo to the outside early enough, bide his time, then storm past others to finish in the money.

Projecting Final Finish

1. Dawn Approach

2. Ruler Of The World

3. Battle of Marengo

4. Libertarian

5. Chopin

6. Ocovango

7. Festive Cheer

8. Mars

9. Flying the Flag

10. Galileo Rock

11. Mirsaale

12. Ocean Applause