Kentucky Derby 2016: Prize-Money Purse, Latest Vegas Odds Payouts and More
Whichever horse crosses the finish line first this Saturday at the Kentucky Derby is going to win its trainer a massive payday.
We're talking more than $1 million for the winner of the 142nd Derby, with nice consolation prizes coming to the next four horses to cross the finish line.
Here's a look at prize money for the Run for the Roses as well as the latest odds before Saturday's big race at Churchill Downs:
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
2016 Kentucky Derby Prize Money
1st Place: $1,631,600
2nd Place: $400,000
3rd Place: $200,000
4th Place: $100,000
5th Place: $60,000
Who Are the Experts Picking?
Not everyone is taking Nyquist to win due to the crowded field, but Nyquist is the most consistent choice among experts who feel the Colt will win at Churchill Downs.
Jonathan Lintner of the Courier-Journal gathered predictions from horse racing analysts, including himself, and six selections went to Nyquist to win the whole thing. Three people feel the 3-1 favorite won't even finish on the board.
| Nyquist | 3-1 (+300) |
| Exaggerator | 15-2 (+750) |
| Mohaymen | 8-1 (+800) |
| Gun Runner | 9-1 (+900) |
| Creator | 12-1 (+1200) |
| Destin | 14-1 (+1400) |
| Mor Spirit | 14-1 (+1400) |
| Brody's Cause | 14-1 (+1400) |
| Outwork | 16-1 (+1600) |
| Whitmore | 18-1 (+1800) |
Some of their predictions don't have a reason for why Nyquist doesn't take win, place or show. Marty McGee from Daily Racing Form is taking Exaggerator at 7-2 with Creator (12-1) and Brody's Cause (14-1) following suit.
McGee thinks trainer Keith Desormeaux has the horse to win on Saturday.
"The Brothers Desormeaux have come a long way since they teamed together with Yazoo at Acadiana Downs," McGee said, per Lintner.
Dan Wolken of USA Today is also one of those who feel the deep field will prevent Nyquist from finishing in purse status. Not only that, he has long shots leading the front at the finish line.
He has Shagaf coming out of the 16th gate at 28-1, followed by Outwork (16-1) and Suddenbreakingnews (20-1) to follow suit.
"Nobody has impressed me more in the morning than Shagaf, who is well-bred and talented but lightly raced," Wolken said. "I’ll excuse his flat Wood Memorial based on the muddy track and some traffic trouble because the physical signs tell me he’s sitting on his best race."
Jon Hale from the Courier-Journal is also taking Exaggerator, but he doesn't have much faith in his selection.
"I've only picked the Derby winner once, so anyone who takes these picks to heart is making a poor life choice," Hale said, per Lintner.
But when it comes down to why Nyquist should win the race, it's hard to go against the favorite for any reason, according to Tim Sullivan of the Courier-Journal.
"Hard to pick favorite to win a fourth straight Derby," Sullivan said, per Lintner, "harder to find a better horse."
Alicia Wincze Hughes of the Lexington Herald-Leader is going off Nyquist's past performances and sees not only has the favorite won every race he's ran so far, but the competition the Colt has defeated makes a difference as well.
"Nyquist has already beaten most of the major contenders and he is versatile enough to make his own luck regardless of trip and/or pace scenario," Hughes said, per Lintner.
Sullivan's analysis, while short, makes the most sense. Nyquist has yet to lose. While it's hard to think another favorite will clean house this year, Nyquist can't be counted out until he actually finishes outside of first place.
Prediction: Nyquist, Exaggerator, Gun Runner
Prize money courtesy of KentuckyDerby.com, if 20 horses start. Odds courtesy from Odds Shark.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
