Kentucky Derby 2018 Odds: Latest Vegas Betting Lines for Churchill Downs Field

The wait for this year's Kentucky Derby is nearly over, as the grounds of Churchill Downs in Louisville will soon be filled with horse racing fanatics to enjoy the most exciting two minutes in sports in person.

For many spectators, the Kentucky Derby is a thrilling experience; for others, it's so much more. With bets being placed left and right, the odds for Saturday's race have been monitored closely, and for good reason.

As of Monday night, the favorite to win the first leg of the Triple Crown is Justify, who has been the favorite among oddsmakers since the opening line was released.

After the Bob Baffert-trained colt, though, it's a bit of a crapshoot to find another clear-cut contender who could upset the field. 

Latest Odds

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

Odds courtesy of OddsShark

Favorite: Justify

Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images

If you didn't know and have been living under a rock for the past week, much of the talk surrounding the Derby and Justify has centered around the Apollo Curse.

Since 1882, no horse has won the Kentucky Derby without starting a race as a two-year-old since Apollo. Justify, now three years old, shouldn't worry too much about other horses of the past, as he's coming into this year's Run for the Roses in great form.

He has won on all three of his starts, including an impressive three-length victory over fellow Derby contender Bolt d'Oro in the Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

At plus-300 (bet $10 to win $30), the favorite is clear. Don't let the Apollo Curse turn you away from the closest thing to a sure bet in this year's Derby. 

Underdog to Watch: Noble Indy

Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images

Why bet on the underdog when he's unlikely to win? The odds, ladies and gentlemen; never ignore the odds.

At plus-2000, Noble Indy is stuck in the middle of the pack, according to oddsmakers, but is going under the radar for no real reason at all.

The three-year-old is a Todd Pletcher-trained colt who knows how to ride, as the evidence has shown during his week of preparation for the Derby.

The Louisiana Derby winner timed in at one minute, 1.6 seconds over five furlongs last week during a practice session, per Paulick Report. 

It's a long shot, but that's the whole point of wagering a bet, isn't it? If you're not putting your money on Justify at plus-300, Mendelssohn at plus-400 or Audible at plus-650, take a chance at Noble Indy. He just might be the dark horse of this Derby after all.