2015 Kentucky Derby: Early Weather Forecast and Field Odds for Churchill Downs

The eyes of the racing world will be forensically trained on Churchill Downs this weekend, with 20 horses and jockeys bidding to sample glory in the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby.

While the 10-furlong race may not be the longest event on the circuit, this showpiece remains the most prestigious on the American landscape, as a clutch of quality horses bid to seize the first leg of a potential Triple Crown.

Joe Kristufek of America's Best Racing spoke with Bleacher Report to reveal who he thinks will emerge victorious this year:

Here's a closer examination of how the bookmakers are seeing things a few days out.

Horse	Odds
American Pharoah	5-2
Dortmund	4-1
Carpe Diem	15-2
Mubtaahij	10-1
Materiality	12-1
Frosted	16-1
Firing Line	16-1
International Star	18-1
Upstart	20-1
El Kabeir	22-1

Odds accurate as of 11 a.m. (BST) on Apr. 28. For full listings, check out the Odds Shark website.

American Pharoah the Standout Candidate

Here's the weather forecast for the festival, courtesy of the event's official Twitter feed:

Ahead of the post positions being drawn for the 20-strong field, American Pharoah remains the outright favourite to win this coveted crown. It's easy to see why.

Trained by Bob Baffert—who has had previous Run for the Roses winners War Emblem (2002), Real Quiet (1998) and Silver Charm (1997) in his stable—American Pharoah turned in classy performances in the last two outings, winning the Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby by sizable margins at Oaklawn Park.

Garry Jones/Associated Press

After the Arkansas Derby, Baffert had high praise for the Kentucky Derby favourite, per Nicholas Godfrey of Racing Post:

"

He's an amazing horse. With the way he works, he's always been a professional horse from the start.

We were hoping he could do something like that and he showed it today. We're so excited about him.

"

As noted by Tim Layden of Sports Illustrated, there is plenty of hype when it comes to this filly:

American Pharoah's chances will be enhanced should Victor Espinoza be on board this weekend. The jockey has won this race twice in his career and was convincing on board California Chrome to seize glory last year. A third win in the showpiece event at Churchill Downs would see him join a clutch of illustrious jockeys.

He took to Twitter to express his excitement at riding American Pharoah in the big race:

However, the Kentucky Derby is an event renowned for springing shocks, and, as such, there is value to be had elsewhere in the market. Indeed, Dortmund—another horse trained by the legendary Baffert—looks a solid price at 4-1, especially when you consider he's yet to be beaten in his entire career.

Todd Pletcher—who is notorious for coming up just short in the Race for the Roses—also has a couple of horses in the event. Carpe Diem looks like his best chance and is in good form after victory over nine furlongs at the Blue Grass Stakes earlier this month. Materiality is another intriguing undefeated proposition and could be worth a punt at 12-1.

Garry Jones/Associated Press

As noted by Jason Privman of Daily Racing Form, Materiality is drawing a lot of attention ahead of the event:

But it's tough to see past American Pharoah. Given his scintillating recent form and Espinoza's experience, they seem to be a champion combination.

The filly has romped to victories in his previous two outings, and while the Race for the Roses tends to leave the punters shocked and the bookmakers flush, expect the favourite to sashay to a straightforward victory at Churchill Downs.