Kentucky Derby 2018: Latest Odds, Lineup Info and Top Horses for Churchill Downs
Now just a matter of days away, the 2018 Kentucky Derby is almost here as a field of 20 horses competes for the $2 million purse at Churchill Downs where the dream of winning a Triple Crown is still alive and well.
While only one horse can win the Triple Crown this year starting with a victory at the Derby, there is plenty of competition in this year's Run for the Roses, regardless of what the odds are for each colt.
Here's a quick look at the latest odds for each horse in this year's field of competitors.
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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
Post Positions
More so than knowing what the odds are for each horse, it's vital to understand the importance of a horse's post position before placing down a bet or predicting a winner.
Last year's Kentucky Derby winner, Always Dreaming, earned the favorable fifth post position despite not being the favorite going into the race. This time around, Audible is in the fifth post position and already has that advantage going into the race.
2018 Kentucky Derby Post Positions
1. Firenze Fire
2. Free Drop Billy
3. Promises Fulfilled
4. Flameaway
5. Audible
6. Good Magic
7. Justify
8. Lone Sailor
9. Hofburg
10. My Boy Jack
11. Bolt D'Oro
12. Enticed
13. Bravazo
14. Mendelssohn
15. Instilled Regard
16. Magnum Moon
17. Solomini
18. Vino Rosso
19. Noble Indy
20. Combatant
Alternate: Blended Citizen
Preview
While Audible does have the favored post position, the three-year-old colt is still behind the likes of Justify and Mendelssohn as a favorite among oddsmakers at +650.
Audible is coming off a three-length G1 Florida Derby victory back in March and has looked to be in fine form in the buildup to this Saturday's race. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Audible is one of four Pletcher horses in contention for this year's Derby along with Vino Rosso, Noble Indy and fellow contender Magnum Moon
The odds-on favorite in this year's race, Justify and his team can't be disappointed with the seventh post position. After all, Justify has more on his plate than just overcoming an unfavorable gate to start out of.
On the mind of Justify's trainer and many horse-racing fanatics will be the Apollo Curse, which has been the talk of the Derby. No horse that didn't race as a two-year-old has won the Derby since Apollo back in 1882, but Justify has the best chance to break that curse.
But despite all the hype surrounding Justify, he isn't the only horse eligible to break the Apollo Curse this year as Magnum Moon, who didn't compete as a two-year-old either, also has the opportunity to make history.
"I think when the right horse comes along, it will happen," said Magnum Moon's trainer, Todd Pletcher, per the New York Times.
It's going to be a competitive race this Saturday at Churchill Downs, and with such a solid field of competitors, it's safe to say that first place is there for the taking.
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