Kentucky Derby 2018: Early Look at Favorites in the Field and Latest Vegas Odds
While it's still a bit early to get serious about placing money on this year's Kentucky Derby, the odds are shaping up and a clear-favourite has already been identified.
In this year's Run for the Roses, Justify appears to be the colt to beat; and for good reason.
The Bob Baffert-trained horse has been in top shape over the past few days, but is that enough for bettors to place down their wagers on this young colt?
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Maybe, maybe not. But one thing is for sure: There is no shortage of talent in this year's field.
Here's a look at the top contenders going into the 2018 Kentucky Derby that could give Justify a run for his money.
2018 Kentucky Derby
When: Saturday, May 5
Post time: 6:50 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Stream: NBC Sports
Purse: $2 million
Kentucky Derby Contenders (odds courtesy of OddsShark)
Justify +300
Mendelssohn +400
Audible +650
Magnum Moon +800
Bolt d’Oro +900
Good Magic +1100
Vino Rosso +1600
Hofburg +1800
Noble Indy +2000
Solomini +2200
My Boy Jack +2500
Enticed +2500
Promises Fulfilled +3300
Free Drop Billy +3300
Flameaway +3300
Restoring Hope +4000
Firenze Fire +4000
Lone Sailor +4000
Quip +4000
Combatant +4000
Reride +5000
Snapper Sinclair +5000
Bravazo +5000
Dream Baby Dream +6600
Top Contenders
It wouldn't make much sense to continue talking about Justify since he's already been labeled as this year's front-runner by the oddsmakers at plus-300, but he's not the only horse to keep an eye on as the race inches closer.
Take Mendelssohn, for example. A winner of his last three starts, there might not be a horse on a better streak than him at the moment.
Capped off by an impressive victory at the UAE Derby where he won by an incredible 18 lengths on March 31, it's easy to understand why he's sitting pretty at plus-400.
But while Mendelssohn was turning heads at the UAE Derby, another horse was putting his name on the map one the same day down in Florida.
Audible, a three-year-old, won the G1 Florida Derby on March 31 by three lengths. It marked the fifth Florida Derby victory for his trainer, Todd Pletcher, who was also the trainer for last year's Kentucky Derby winner, Always Dreaming.
At plus-650, Audible could make some noise as a smart bet for oddsmakers, but they would be foolish to sleep on Magnum Moon, who arguably has the best odds at the moment at plus-800.
Unbeaten in four starts, Magnum Moon is another Pletcher product and is coming off an April 14 win at the Arkansas Derby.
If there were odds to make on which trainer would see one of his horses victorious at the Kentucky Derby, it would make sense to put some money on Pletcher. However, those odds aren't available to us. But one thing that can be (and will be) bet on is the guarantee that Justify won't have a walk in the park at Churchill Downs come post time.
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