Kentucky Derby 2016 Jockeys and Horses' Top Odds for 142nd Race Field

At the 142nd Kentucky Derby, Nyquist could become the latest horse to disprove the unlucky perception of No. 13. 

The No. 13 post position has not hindered top contenders at the Run for the Roses in the past. Four Kentucky Derby winners, most recently Smarty Jones in 2004, have emerged victorious from the gate since 1990. Nyquist also triumphed from the same spot at last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile. 

Gun Runner trainer Steven Asmussen will especially feel fondly of seeing 13, the number of horses to win from the No. 5 post position, per Odds Shark. According to the event's official site, the colt is now tied among the third-highest favorites in a field still led by Nyquist, a comfortable front-runner heading into Saturday.

With the post positions unveiled, let's take a look at the latest odds for each horse set to run the 1 ¼-mile race at Churchill Downs.

Post No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Morning-Line Odds
1	Trojan Nation	Patrick Gallagher	Aaron T. Gryder	50-1
2	Suddenbreakingnews	Donnie K. Von Hemel	Luis Quinonez	20-1
3	Creator	Steven M. Asmussen	Ricardo Santana Jr.	10-1
4	Mo Tom	Thomas M. Amoss	Corey J. Lanerie	20-1
5	Gun Runner	Steven M. Asmussen	Florent Geroux	10-1
6	My Man Sam	Chad C. Brown	Irad Ortiz Jr.	20-1
7	Oscar Nominated	Michael J. Maker	Julien R. Leparoux	50-1
8	Lani	Mikio Matsunaga	Yutaka Take	30-1
9	Destin	Todd A. Pletcher	Javier Castellano	15-1
10	Whitmore	Ron Moquett	Victor Espinoza	20-1
11	Exaggerator	J. Keith Desormeaux	Kent J. Desormeaux	8-1
12	Tom's Ready	Dallas Stewart	Brian Hernandez Jr.	30-1
13	Nyquist	Doug F. O'Neill	Mario Gutierrez	3-1
14	Mohaymen	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Junior Alvarado	10-1
15	Outwork	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	15-1
16	Shagaf	Chad C. Brown	Joel Rosario	20-1
17	Mor Spirit	Bob Baffert	Gary L. Stevens	12-1
18	Majesto	Gustavo Delgado	Javier Castellano	30-1
19	Brody's Cause	Dale L. Romans	Luis Saez	12-1
20	Danzing Candy	Clifford W. Sise Jr.	Mike E. Smith	15-1
Also Eligible	Laoban	Eric J. Guillot	Jose Lezcano	50-1
Also Eligible	Cherry Wine	Dale L. Romans	Robby Albarado	30-1

If anyone will match American Pharoah's Triple Crown glory from last year, it's Nyquist. The favorite enters Churchill Downs a perfect 7-0, handling tough competition in four Grade 1 events.

As noted by ESPN's John Buccigross, a select handful of past champions have entered and exited the Kentucky Derby undefeated:

Although Nyquist is favored, several horses trail him as popular picks. Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde examined the current state of prognosticators and insiders who are shying away from the chalk horse:

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The words "parity" and "balanced" have been thrown around a lot in the Churchill Downs barn area in recent days. Chatter by morning workout watchers about the "hot horse" – a Derby tradition older than the Twin Spires themselves—has rarely included Nyquist.

"Maybe Nyquist isn't getting the respect he deserves," said rival trainer Todd Pletcher, who will send Outwork and Destin to post in the Derby, "because all he does is win."

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The Washington Post's Neil Greenberg is one of those dissenters. He laid out several key factors linked to past Derby success, including pedigree, speed, stamina, jockey experience and recent success. Nyquist fell short in his pedigree and speed barriers.

The only horse to check all the boxes? Exaggerator, who sports the second-best odds at 8-1. Greenberg made his case on the colt's breakaway speed and successful sire:

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The son of Curlin won a Grade II stakes race in 2015, is the only horse in the field to post back-to-back triple-digit figures in his last two prep races (101 and 102) and has the running style to stay competitive throughout the Derby. In addition, his connections now keep Exaggerator more off the pace so he has the energy to make a big run late, and he figures to be within three lengths of the lead horse at the second call. Plus, he has shown an ability to gain ground after the turn.

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Kent Desormeaux will take the saddles for Exaggerator, who is trained by brother J. Keith Desormeaux. The Hall of Fame jockey will look to win his fourth Kentucky Derby crown in his 20th try, the first Triple Crown attempt with his brother.

Per the Times-Picayune's Jeff Duncan, the trainer relished his opportunity to enter the Run for the Roses with his sibling taking the reins:

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This is an unbelievable situation. It's the culmination of a lifetime of hard work. The Derby is so far out there that's almost not a part of your realistic thinking. You hope it happens. To finally be a part of the derby is something that is very gratifying. To have my brother riding my horse is icing on the cake. Honestly I haven't processed it yet.

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Having an experienced jockey in the family will boost Keith's chances of bursting on the scene in grand fashion. KY Derby Contenders, via Greenberg, illuminated an overwhelming trend regarding the struggles of neophytes:

Gun Runner wields the optimal starting spot, but rookie Florent Geroux will have to join a select club of first-time victors. Junior Alvarado will ride Mohaymen, who is pegged with 10-1 odds after winning five of six entrees.

American Pharoah validated his billing as the favorite last year, but the Triple Crown's opening leg is traditionally difficult to peg. For every past precedent, there's almost always an outlier somewhere to challenge the norm.