Kentucky Derby 2015 Odds: Latest Field Betting Lines Before Post Positions Draw
Churchill Downs' 141st running of the Kentucky Derby begins the Triple Crown pursuit for a fresh field of horses. A year after California Chrome took the crown, some select favorites once again look poised to steal the show.
This year, legendary trainer Bob Baffert leads the Derby's top two contenders into the starting gate. He'll take two mighty swings at winning his 10th Triple Crown race with American Pharoah and Dortmund.
There are few stalwarts among the other 18 thoroughbreds, but Todd Pletcher's Carpe Diem is another popular pick to seize the day. Before the post positions are revealed on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET, here's a look at the updated odds for Saturday's Run of the Roses.
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| American Pharoah | 9-4 | Bob Baffert |
| Dortmund | 9-2 | Bob Baffert |
| Carpe Diem | 7-1 | Todd Pletcher |
| Materiality | 12-1 | Todd Pletcher |
| Mubtaahij | 12-1 | Mike de Kock |
| Frosted | 16-1 | Kiaran McLaughlin |
| Firing Line | 18-1 | Simon Callaghan |
| 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 | 33-1 | Todd Pletcher |
| Bolo | 40-1 | Carla Gaines |
| Danzig Moon | 40-1 | Mark Casse |
| Keen Ice | 50-1 | Dale Romans |
| Mr. Z | 40-1 | D. Wayne Lukas |
| Ocho Ocho Ocho | 40-1 | Jim Cassidy |
| War Story | 50-1 | Tom Amoss |
| Stanford | 66-1 | Todd Pletcher |
| Tencendur | 66-1 | George Weaver |
| Frammento | N/A | Nick Zito |
| Bold Conquest | N/A | Steve Asmussen |
| Metaboss | N/A | Jeff Bonde |
| Firespike | N/A | Mike Maker |
| Toasting Master | N/A | Dale Romans |
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark as of Wednesday morning.
Kentucky Derby Favorites
American Pharoah
Baffert's top contender, American Pharoah, sports the best bets entering Wednesday. Since finishing fifth in his debut, he has won four consecutive races, most recently an eight-length triumph at April 11's Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 11.
Victor Espinoza, who led California Chrome to a Derby victory last year, will once again jockey the favorite. This year, the two-time Derby winner has placed in 53.0 percent of his competitions.
Zayat Stables will also send out long shots El Kabeir and Mr. Z, but owner Ahmed Zaya wasn't shy about picking his preferred horse.
“I like them all but I do have a favorite, American Pharoah,” Zayat told Blood-Horse's Frank Angst. “Sentimentally, I like him more. From day one, American Pharoah has been an absolute superstar.”
Pharoah's Sunday workout results, per the Kentucky Derby's Twitter page, also support his contender status:
He won't win any spelling contests, but American Pharoah is striding into Saturday as the horse to beat.
Dortmund
Height is typically reserved for discussing NBA and NFL prospects, not race horses. Yet Dortmund measures at 17 hands, whereas the average participant stands at 16.
This size advantage gives Dortmund a wider stride, which Baffert touted to USA Today's Gary Mihoces.
"He's really fast," Baffert said. "So he can go fast early and smaller horses are like trying to keep up with him. It's like he's doing it easy, and they give up."
The son of 2008 Derby winner Big Brown, Dortmund has won all six starts, including the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 4. He controlled the race from start to finish, running away with first place by four lengths.
Although the oddsmakers like Baffert's other horse more, Dortmund remains a strong candidate to land him the $2 million purse.
Carpe Diem
A third wheel behind American Pharoah and Dortmund, Carpe Diem is the distant next choice floating under the radar.
He also has prestigious backing in Pletcher, whose 23.0 win percentage trumps Baffert by 1 percent. Pletcher will employ Hall of Fame jockey John R. Velazquez, who has netted the most all-time winnings at over $323 million.
The seasoned saddler has already partaken in a dozen Run of the Roses, leading Animal Kingdom to victory in 2011. Now he'll ride Carpe Diem, who has won four of five events while placing second in the lone holdover.
Boasting three Grade 1 victories, the colt has all the makings of a top pick.
All horse, jockey and trainer stats courtesy of Equibase.
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