2015 Kentucky Derby: Odds and Predictions for Top Favorites Among All Entries
Expectations rest heavy on the shoulders of 2015 Kentucky Derby contenders one year removed from California Chrome's epic Triple Crown bid.
California Chrome fell short but upped interest in the sport of horse racing in dramatic fashion—and a rekindled spotlight means folks want to see one horse rise above the rest and secure the coveted Triple Crown.
They might just get it, too.
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This year's field may not be as deep as last year's offering, but it does feature two Bob Baffert-trained horses capable of mounting a three-race streak of historic proportions.
Here's how Las Vegas feels about the event at Churchill Downs.
2015 Kentucky Derby Lineup and Odds
| American Pharoah | 13-5 | Bob Baffert |
| Dortmund | 4-1 | Bob Baffert |
| Carpe Diem | 15-2 | Todd Pletcher |
| Mubtaahij | 10-1 | Mike de Kock |
| Materiality | 14-1 | Todd Pletcher |
| Firing Line | 16-1 | Simon Callaghan |
| Frosted | 16-1 | Kiaran McLaughlin |
| Upstart | 20-1 | Rick Violette Jr. |
| International Star | 20-1 | Mike Maker |
| El Kabeir | 33-1 | John Terranova II |
| Far Right | 33-1 | Ron Moquett |
| Itsaknockout | 40-1 | Todd Pletcher |
| Bolo | 40-1 | Carla Gaines |
| Danzig Moon | 40-1 | Mark Casse |
| Ocho Ocho Ocho | 40-1 | Jim Cassidy |
| Mr. Z | 40-1 | D. Wayne Lukas |
| Keen Ice | 50-1 | Dale Romans |
| Tencendur | 66-1 | George Weaver |
All Kentucky Derby odds courtesy of Odds Shark.
Predictions for Top Favorites
| Win | American Pharoah |
| Place | Dortmund |
| Show | Carpe Diem |
Start with Carpe Diem.
Led by legendary trainer Todd Pletcher, the three-year-old colt offers perhaps the best all-around skill set capable of knocking off the top horses at Churchill Downs.
A winner in three of four recent races, including a triumph at the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes, Carpe Diem touts wins against other Kentucky Derby contenders such as Danzig Moon, Ocho Ocho Ocho and Mr. Z.
Making Carpe Diem all the more dangerous is Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who won this same race in 2011 atop Animal Kingdom. Velazquez likes the growth Carpe Diem continues to display each time out, too, per Jennie Rees of The Courier-Journal:
"He's learned a lot. Being a 2-year-old, he was very high energy at all times: before the race, in the post parade. He used to get really worked up. In his last race at Keeneland, he did really, really well. Only thing was in the paddock he got a little excited. Once I was on him, he relaxed.
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The chances any horse takes down either Dortmund or American Pharoah are slim to none, though.
Dortmund seems unstoppable, having won all six races Baffert has entered him in, highlighted by the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Granted, the competition hasn't been so great, but there's nothing wrong with going out and taking care of business—especially in dominant fashion.
It's no wonder Dortmund has everything it takes to at least keep up with American Pharoah. Not only is he trained by Baffert as well, but he also has the lineage considering he's sired by Big Brown, who also came close to a Triple Crown achievement.
The ability to overcome a stumble and further distance himself down the stretch at the Santa Anita Derby says it all:
Yet it still pales in comparison to American Pharoah.
Baffert's prized racer looks unstoppable after blowing away the field at the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, never mind the fact he has won each of his last four times out.
As Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde captures, everything looks great on the practice field, too:
Let's take it yet another step further—Victor Espinoza will be atop American Pharoah at Churchill Downs.
Espinoza, the man who rode California Chrome to near-legendary status last year, has the talent to bring out American Pharoah's best, which includes—but isn't limited to—elite burst out of the posts, speed around the edges and a strong last gear to finish things off down the stretch.
While Dortmund features the talent, experience and jockey to keep things close, no horse in the field will be able to match Espinoza's race management and American Pharoah's speed down the stretch.
Stats and information via KentuckyDerby.com unless otherwise specified.
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