Kentucky Derby Picks 2017: Predictions and Odds for All Horses in the Lineup

The 2017 Kentucky Derby is inching closer and closer to a reality, as 20 horses and jockeys will take the track at Churchill Downs this Saturday, May 6, for a chance to cement their new names in history.

Out of the 20 horses competing, only a handful are truly contenders. Now that post positions have been set, all that's left is the race is itself. Let's take a look at the field of competitors heading into the race with updated post positions, odds and predictions for each horse. 

Post Position	Horse	Jockey	Odds	Prediction
1	Lookin At Lee	Corey Lanerie	+2800	11th
2	Thunder Snow	Christophe Soumillon	+1600	8th
3	Fast and Accurate	Channing Hill	+6600	19th
4	Untrapped	Ricardo Santana Jr.	+5000	17th
5	Always Dreaming	John Velazquez	+400	4th
6	State of Honor	Jose Lezcano	+4000	18th
7	Girvin	Mike Smith	+1600	6th
8	Hence	Florent Geroux	+2200	10th
9	Irap	Mario Gutierrez	+2500	13th
10	Gunnevera	Javier Castellano	+1200	7th
11	Battle of Midway	Flavien Prat	+2800	14th
12	Sonneteer	Kent Desormeaux	+3300	20th
13	J Boys Echo	Luis Saez	+3300	12th
14	Classic Empire	Julien Leparoux	+425	1st
15	McCraken	Brian Hernandez Jr.	+650	2nd
16	Tapwrit	Jose Ortiz	+2500	15th
17	Irish War Cry	Rajiv Maragh	+650	3rd
18	Gormley	Victor Espinoza	+1600	5th
19	Practical Joke	Joel Rosario	+1600	9th
20	Patch	Tyler Gaffalione	+3300	16th

Don't take your eyes off Classic Empire 

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Barring some unforeseen circumstances, it would be a shock if Classic Empire doesn't enter the winner's circle Saturday, as he is the bonafide favorite heading into the 143rd edition of the Kentucky Derby.

Although Classic Empire will be starting at the 14th pole position, a position that has seen only two horses win the race, according to OddsShark, there isn't another horse out there that can beat him when he's at his best. 

Now fully healed from his foot abscess that slowed him down earlier this year, Classic Empire has the breakaway speed, strength and endurance to blow away his competition. And even if he falls behind, there aren't many horses in the world that has the ability to close the distance like he can.

Classic Empire showed in the Arkansas Derby last month that he is never out of the race, and jockeys from other horses in the field need to be wary of this otherwise they'll be left in the dust.  

Keep on Dreaming 

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If there is a horse that can give Classic Empire a run for his money, Always Dreaming could easily be that contender.

With +400 odds (bet $100 to win $400), it's clear that OddsShark fancies the horse's chances in the race, and for good reason. After winning the 2017 Florida Derby with relative ease as he broke away from the field in the final lengths of the race, Always Dreaming is a legitimate threat to win it all.

But while he has the potential to put on a show, he has been inconsistent in the lead up to the race, particularly in practice sessions earlier this week, per Mike Welsch of Daily Racing Form. 

It could be that Always Dreaming just needs some time to adjust to the track at Churchill Downs, but it could also be that Always Dreaming might be a little tired from a busy April and extensive training. Only a couple days out from competition, don't be surprised to see Always Dreaming struggle if he can't get his legs under him before the race.

Wild card

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McCraken has been turning heads all week during practice sessions and has seen his stock rise significantly over the past couple of days.

Steve Byk and Marcus Hersh from Daily Racing Form were both impressed with McCraken's performance during morning sessions going into Thursday, and with +650 odds, he might be a better's favorite on Saturday. 

Known for his ability to kill off a race and finish strong, McCraken is a real possibility to knock off Classic Empire and the other contenders in the Derby.

If he can build up a quick lead, the odds would quickly shift in his favor to take home first place and the $2 million purse.