Kentucky Derby 2018: Complete Odds and Analysis for Top Contenders
The 2018 Kentucky Derby isn't the one-horse race that it may seem, with the field of horses for The Run for the Roses giving the odds-on favorite, Justify, a run for his money.
The three-year-old colt appears to be in top shape going into the Kentucky Derby, but on top of the Apollo's Curse on his side, there are also a couple of horses that could spoil Justify's race at Churchill Downs on May 5.
Justify is looking to become the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby after not competing as a two-year old since Apollo back in 1882, but he has a steep learning curve ahead of him if he wants to win the first leg of the Triple Crown.
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Two horses in particular stand between Justify and history coming into this year's derby, with both having something to prove and a lot to gain.
Their odds aren't too bad, either.
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
Justify +300 (wager $100 to win $300)
Mendelssohn +400
Audible +650
Magnum Moon +800
Bolt d'Oro +900
Good Magic +1,100
Vino Rosso +1,600
Hofburg +1,800
Noble Indy +2,000
Solomini +2,200
My Boy Jack +2,500
Enticed +2,500
Promises Fulfilled +3,300
Free Drop Billy +3,300
Flameaway +3,300
Restoring Hope +4,000
Firenze Fire +4,000
Lone Sailor +4,000
Quip +4,000
Combatant +4,000
Reride +5,000
Snapper Sinclair +5,000
Bravazo +5,000
Dream Baby Dream +6,600
Odds according to OddsShark.
Top Competition to Justify
Mendelssohn +400
Mendelssohn is on a hot streak going in to the Derby, winning three of his past three starts, including an impressive victory at the UAE Derby in March.
Here's a look at how the three-year-old colt got it done:
Winning by an impressive 18 lengths over his competition, Mendelssohn has what it takes to win a Triple Crown leg, and at +400, he's not that far off Justify in terms of odds.
The biggest question mark surrounding Mendelssohn is how he will be able to perform against a higher caliber of competition than he did at the UAE Derby.
It would be a shock if he were able to jump out to an 18-length lead over any horse in this year's Kentucky Derby. To beat Justify and the rest of the field, Mendelssohn will have to showcase his closing speed and ability to keep his fast pace for the duration of the race.
Audible +650
Audible is coming off a three-length G1 Florida Derby victory on March 31. At +650, Audible is not one to overlook despite not getting the hype Justify, Mendelssohn and even Magnum Moon are receiving in the days leading up to the race.
Under trainer Todd Pletcher, Audible is good hands going into Saturday's race—Pletcher has four horses in contention for the derby in Audible, Vino Rosso, Noble Indy and Magnum Moon.
The only question is whether Audible can become the horse to beat in what should be one of the most competitive Kentucky Derbys in quite some time.
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