Kentucky Derby 2014: Updated Weather Forecast, Odds and Field Predictions

The final preparations have been made, which means it's almost time for the 2014 Kentucky Derby to start. A deep, crowded field has convened at Churchill Downs to determine which young thoroughbred will make history. 

It's almost a shame that the event goes almost as fast as it comes, because this year it feels like there's a lot more to discuss pre-race than normal. There's the anticipation of what could be a dominant force in California Chrome, several upset-minded runners like Danza and Wicked Strong and sleepers like Wildcat Red and Medal Count. 

Drama always unfolds at the Kentucky Derby, so it's not like we will be longing for things to talk about. Instead let's focus directly ahead on everything that matters, like the weather, odds and predictions. 

We have you covered for the final hours leading up to the Run for the Roses, with all the information that can help you figure out whom to root for. 

Weather Update

Hour	Temperature (Fahrenheit)	Wind
5 p.m.	72, Partly Cloudy	W at 18 mph
6 p.m.	71, Mostly Sunny	W at 14 mph
7 p.m.	69, Sunny	WNW at 12 mph

Field

Kentucky Derby Starting Order

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
1	Vicar's In Trouble	Rosie Napravnik	Mike Maker	25-1
2	Harry's Holiday	Corey Lanerie	Mike Maker	50-1
3	Uncle Sigh	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Gary Contessa	35-1
4	Danza	Joe Bravo	Todd Pletcher	8-1
5	California Chrome	Victor Espinoza	Art Sherman	2-1
6	Samraat	Jose Ortiz	Rick Violette Jr.	16-1
7	We Miss Artie	Javier Castellano	Todd Pletcher	33-1
8	General A Rod	Joel Rosario	Mike Maker	18-1
9	Vinceremos	Joe Rocco Jr.	Todd Pletecher	50-1
10	Wildcat Red	Luis Saez	Jose Garoffalo	18-1
11	Hoppertunity	Mike Smith	Bob Baffert	SCR
12	Dance With Fate	Corey Nakatani	Peter Eurton	14-1
13	Chitu	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	22-1
14	Medal Count	Robby Albarado	Dale Romans	22-1
15	Tapiture	Ricardo Santana Jr.	Steve Asmussen	20-1
16	Intense Holiday	John Velazquez	Todd Pletcher	12-1
17	Commanding Curve	Shaun Bridgmohan	Dallas Stewart	33-1
18	Candy Boy	Gary Stevens	John Sadler	18-1
19	Ride On Curlin	Calvin Borel	William G. Gowan	18-1
20	Wicked Strong	Rajiv Maragh	James A. Jerkens	8-1
21	Pablo Del Monte	Jeffrey Sanchez	Wesley Ward	SCR

OddsShark.com

Odds current as of 3 p.m. ET on May 3

Predictions

Winner: Wicked Strong

The risk of taking Wicked Strong to win is not as great as it seems. There used to be a stigma against horses starting from the outside because they had to exert energy just trying to get around the field and to the inside. 

All of that has changed in recent years, with the last three Kentucky Derby winners coming from gate 16 or higher (Animal Kingdom, I'll Have Another, Orb). 

On top of that, as Pat Cummings of DubaiRaceNight.com noted, Wicked Strong's jockey is on quite the roll lately. 

There are so many things working in Wicked Strong's favor that it would be an upset if he didn't at least finish in the top three. Considering how strongly he came on at the Wood Memorial, it seems as though he's been building to this moment for the last four weeks. 

Place: California Chrome

Morry Gash/Associated Press

As odds keep rolling in for California Chrome, you can't help but wonder if someone knows we are in line to see something special. He started out the week at 5-2 odds and is down to 2-1 before post time. 

It's no secret why California Chrome is getting all this love. He's won four consecutive races by a combined 24.25 lengths. His crowning achievement so far was a dominant win at the Santa Anita Derby by 5.25 lengths. 

But there's something about an athlete getting such strong odds that makes you think it can't be real. Either the jockey will get too aggressive, or the horse will stumble out of the gate, just something that will push him out of the top spot. 

Also, as ESPN's John Buccigross noted, being a favorite of this magnitude isn't indicative of success. 

If California Chrome won, no one would be surprised. There's certainly nothing scientific about why I don't have him getting draped in roses at the end of the race, but Wicked Strong just strikes me as a better bet. 

Show: Wildcat Red

Garry Jones/Associated Press

After the top two horses, there's some separation for the No. 3 spot. Wildcat Red immediately jumped out because of what has historically been a favorable draw. Nine horses have won from the No. 10 post, the most since 1930, according to KentuckyDerby.com. 

Handicapper Danonymous Racing tweeted that Wildcat Red's spot gives him a favorable path to the front of the pack. 

Another factor to consider is Wildcat Red's history, which John Sutton of The Star-Ledger noted is virtually spotless. 

"

This front-running Florida Derby runner-up has never been worse than second in his seven-race career, and should sit close to or on the lead tomorrow...

He’s only been beaten by three-quarters of a length in seven career starts. This colt clearly has a penchant for getting near the lead and staying there.

"

The Kentucky Derby is a longer race than Wildcat Red usually runs at 10 furlongs. He's not likely to pace himself well enough to stay in the lead, if he's able to get there, but there's enough raw speed in those legs to at least hang in the top three until the end. 

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