Kentucky Derby 2014 Contenders: Examining Favorites and Underrated Horses
Favorites and sleepers line the 19 entries in the 2014 Kentucky Derby, and it is bettors who stand to gain the most if they can properly analyze which horses fall into what category and how they will perform.
That's much easier said than done.
Much is left to chance at Churchill Downs, although a look at both horse and post history, not to mention the jockey atop the star athlete, will tell us much about some of the biggest names in each classification.
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Let's do just that.
Favorites
Wicked Strong (10-1)
While Wicked Strong has moved on from the No. 20 spot and will be racing out of post No. 19 thanks to scratches, he still remains a strong play with a good payout for a variety of reasons.
For one, jockey Rajiv Maragh got the absolute best from the horse at the Wood Memorial. This parlays into the next point, as the event showcased Wicked Strong's great burst out of the gate—which will come in handy when he lines up on the outside on Saturday.
Plenty of hoopla can and will be said about the outside slot, but it is a position that actually plays to Wicked Strong's strengths. The same cannot be said for many other contestants in terms of skill-post matchmaking, so be comfortable with an investment for sound potential returns.
Danza (8-1)
If any horse can tout a happy result from the draw that can compete with the edge given to Wicked Strong, it's Danza, who will be mounted by jockey Joe Bravo.
The odds are much kinder to Danza this time around, as not too long ago he was a long shot to take home the top prize at the Arkansas Derby. He did and has since become a darling for most bettors.
That doesn't mean anyone should stray away. In fact, savvy ones will flock to Danza, as practice reports have been nothing but positive, per Steve Sherack of Thoroughbred Daily News:
The payout is not as great here with Danza, but it is justified and nothing to scoff at.
Sleepers
Ride on Curlin (20-1)
This is meant in the nicest way possible, but this pick has very little to do with Ride on Curlin.
Instead, focus the attention on jockey Calvin Borel. He's won three of his last seven starts at Churchill Downs, including 2007 atop Street Sense and in 2010 atop Super Saver. In 2009, he took Mine That Bird to the promised land, who was double, if not more, the underdog that Ride on Curlin is this Saturday.
If that's not enough, Ride on Curlin has been holding up his end of the bargain with strong practices, per trainer Billy Gowan, via TVG:
Borel is not one to be doubted when it comes to the affair at Churchill Downs. Bettors could do much worse in search of an underdog that pays well.
Wildcat Red (16-1)
Wildcat Red has looked great in recent contests, namely when he won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Grade 3 Hutcheson Stakes.
Familiarity between jockey and horse is a big narrative bettors have to find, and they will get it with Wildcat Red and Luis Saez. As Jeff Kolpack of WDAY notes, the fact the two aren't favored completes the enthralling bet:
Wildcat Red is known for gate-to-finish speed, so as long as he can break free of the pack, a major win on Saturday is certainly not out of the question.
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark.
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