Kentucky Derby Odds 2014: Examining Recent Vegas Lines for Entire Field

Nothing will likely ever touch the Super Bowl when it comes to sports betting, but the Kentucky Derby is about as close as it gets. 

A truly unique spectacle, "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" lends itself to everyone. Whether you're a diehard horse racing fanatic who is more concerned about the track conditions and which horse's mother was a mudder, or you're just a casual onlooker who picks winners based on horsey names, there's a good chance you'll be paying attention to the 140th Run for the Roses. 

Intertwined with the big hats and mint juleps is the betting, so let's take a look at the most recent odds for this year's field, along with a close glance at some intriguing picks. 

Odds

Horse	Odds
California Chrome	3-1
Wicked Strong	5-1
Hoppertunity	12-1
Samraat	12-1
Danza	15-1
Dance With Fate	20-1
Vicar's In Trouble	22-1
Ride On Curlin	24-1
Wildcat Red	25-1
Intense Holiday	25-1
Candy Boy	25-1
General A Rod	35-1
Tapiture	35-1
Chitu	35-1
Social Inclusion	35-1
Uncle Sigh	35-1
Commanding Curve	40-1
We Miss Artie	40-1
Medal Count	40-1
Harry's Holiday	50-1
Pablo Del Monte	60-1
Vinceremos	90-1

Note: Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider

Intense Holiday (25-1)

Garry Jones

Currently, Intense Holiday is tied with a couple of other horses for the ninth-best odds in the field, but you might want to hurry before that soon changes. 

The Todd Pletcher-trained horse has turned in a highly impressive 2014, finishing on the board in a trio of Grade 2 races. After a first-place finish at the Risen Star, Intense Holiday put to rest any concerns about his ability to handle long distances, finishing second in the nine-furlong Louisiana Derby behind Vicar's In Trouble, a horse garnering lots of attention at Churchill Downs. 

Momentum is only increasing, too. 

During training on Sunday, Intense Holiday turned in easily the best performance, according to Daily Racing Form's Mike Welsch, Marcus Hersh and a slew of others: 

For the price, this horse belongs on your trifecta at the very least. 

Wildcat Red (25-1)

Garry Jones

Wildcat Red's workout didn't go nearly as well, but you can't ignore this horse's track record. 

In seven career races, Wildcat Red has never finished worse than second. That includes, most recently, a victory at the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth in February and a second-place finish—by a nose—at the Grade 1 Florida Derby a month ago. 

There may be some slight questions about this horse's distance ability, but Wildcat Red is a gusty performer who will be in contention until the very end at Churchill Downs.