Kentucky Derby Field 2014: Entries List, Betting Lines and Picks

There's nothing in sports like the Kentucky Derby. It's the one day of the year where all eyes are focused on horse racing, where the majesty and splendor of the "Sport of Kings" can lead to a shocking finish or a dominant victory from a stud champion. 

As we inch closer to the 140th run for the roses, the field has been set and the odds have been handed down. All that's left is to get the horses at the gate for the best two minutes in sports. 

Of course, since we are talking about sports, it hasn't been smooth sailing all week. The field is weaker today with the news from Esther Marr of The Blood Horse that Hoppertunity was pulled out due to an injury. 

Even with the loss of Hoppertunity, this is still a deep field. California Chrome will enter the race as a bigger favorite with his biggest competitor gone, but there are horses with stellar pedigree (Vicar's In Trouble, Wicked Strong, Intense Holiday) who pose a serious threat. 

Here is a list of horses running in the Derby, the post positions, betting lines and predictions for Saturday. 

Post	Horse	Odds
1	Vicar's In Trouble	30/1
2	Harry's Holiday	50/1
3	Uncle Sigh	30/1
4	Danza	10/1
5	California Chrome	5/2
6	Samraat	15/1
7	We Miss Artie	50/1
8	General A Rod	15/1
9	Vinceremos	30/1
10	Wildcat Red	15/1
11	Dance With Fire	20/1
12	Chitu	20/1
13	Medal Count	20/1
14	Tapiture	15/1
15	Intense Holiday	12/1
16	Commanding Curve	50/1
17	Candy Boy	20/1
18	Ride On Curlin	15/1
19	Wicked Strong	8/1
20	Pablo Del Monte*	50/1

Pablo Del Monte was added to the field as an alternate after Hoppertunity was forced to withdraw due to injury. 

Predicted Winner: California Chrome

It's hard to find reasons why California Chrome won't win the Kentucky Derby, which is rarely the case in a sport that's so often a crapshoot.

Jim Chairusmi of the Wall Street Journal found a few circumstantial reasons, like betting favorites winning just five times since 1980 and no horse bred in California has won the Derby since 1962, but nothing specific about California Chrome to suggest he isn't going to win. 

Also working in California Chrome's favor is the draw he got. Even though Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports noted California Chrome's ownership group was hoping to post somewhere between six and 10, five is nothing to be upset about. 

The fifth post is an excellent spot to be. In Kentucky Derby history, it's tied with post positions No. 1 and 8 for the second-most wins ever. Only post 10 has more victories (nine), which might be good omen for Wildcat Red. 

California Chrome was like the 1998 New York Yankees at the Santa Anita Derby, destroying the field by 5.25 lengths as the final warmup to Kentucky. All eyes will be focused on the thoroughbred, but he's passed every test put in his way so far and will do it again. 

Horse to Watch: Wicked Strong

Morry Gash/Associated Press

A lot of the wind came out of Wicked Strong's sail when the post positions were announced. He has to start all the way on the outside where only one horse has won in the previous 139 Kentucky Derby races (Big Brown in 2008). 

Mike Welsch of the Daily Racing Form pointed out how well Wicked Strong has looked in practice runs at Churchill Downs. 

As long as jockey Rajiv Maragh understands how to push Wicked Strong out of the gate and get him closer to the rails without sacrificing any stamina for the stretch run, he's got the ingredients to be a serious player at the Derby. 

Consistency is not one of Wicked Strong's best attributes, which can be a blessing or a curse on Saturday. He has gotten better as the year has gone on, going from a ninth place finish at the Holy Bull Stakes in January to winning the Wood Memorial in April. 

That's also the longest race (1.125 miles) Wicked Strong has ever run, so the fact he won it is a good sign for the 1.25 miles at Churchill Downs. 

Note: Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider and current as of 3:30 p.m. ET on May 1. 

If you want to talk sports, hit me up on Twitter.