Kentucky Derby 2018 Odds: Top Picks, Updated Vegas Lines for 144th Race
The 2018 Kentucky Derby is ripe with favorites to bet on, as five horses have odds better than 10-1 ahead of Saturday's race at Churchill Downs.
Justify captured the attention of everyone in the horse racing world in April, and there are plenty who believe he will win the 144th edition of the race.
However, there are plenty of other solid betting options that possess odds with better payouts than Justify, who at 3-1 is going to receive plenty of attention from those looking to drop a pretty penny on the Kentucky Derby.
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The contingent at 5-1, 6-1 and 8-1 have impressive racing histories as well, which sets the stage for one of the best derbies in recent memory.
Odds (via OddsShark)
1. Firenze Fire (+6600)
2. Free Drop Billy (+3300)
3. Promises Fulfilled (+4000)
4. Flameaway (+4000)
5. Audible (+550)
6. Good Magic (+900)
7. Justify (+350)
8. Lone Sailor (+5000)
9. Hofburg (+1600)
10. My Boy Jack (+2200)
11. Bolt d'Oro (+900)
12. Enticed (+2500)
13. Bravazo (+5000)
14. Mendelssohn (+400)
15. Instilled Regard (+5000)
16. Magnum Moon (+700)
17. Solomini (+2000)
18. Vino Rosso (+1400)
19. Noble Indy (+2800)
20. Combatant (+6600)
Top Picks
Justify
Putting money on race favorite Justify seems like a smart decision, even if the odds are low at +350.
Justify has the one of the best track records entering Saturday, and he has an ideal starting position in the middle of the gates at post No. 7.
The three-year-old turned heads April 7 at the Santa Anita Derby in which he took first place in his third career start.
Although the win at Santa Anita was promising, Justify isn't as experienced as some of the other horses in the field, which could lead to some nerves out of the starting gate.
Justify has the odds against him when it comes to winning the race, as no horse who didn't run as a two-year-old has won the Kentucky Derby since Apollo in 1882.
You'll hear plenty about the "Curse of Apollo" ahead of the Run for the Roses, but as we've seen in other sports recently, curses are meant to be broken at some juncture.
Magnum Moon
Magnum Moon will fly under the radar a bit leading into Saturday because of the attention given to Justify and Mendelssohn, but don't be shocked if one of the four derby entries trained by Todd Pletcher makes a splash.
Starting from post No. 16 is going to be difficult for Magnum Moon to overcome because the favorites are closer to the middle, but if he can make up that ground at the start of the race, he'll be in contention.
Magnum Moon is one of the hottest horses entering the Churchill Downs showpiece, as he has won four straight races, with the last two coming at the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby.
It's not a bad idea to throw a wager out now because there's always the potential his odds drop depending on how he looks in practice.
Unlike other favorites Justify and Bolt d'Oro, Magnum Moon has a jockey in search of his first derby victory in Luis Saez.
If the race is tight, it could come down to small differences such as jockey experience.
Bolt d'Oro
Bolt d'Oro is an intriguing prospect that isn't at the forefront of the odds but still comes at solid value.
At 8-1, the horse trained by Mick Ruis has a chance to surprise a few folks who may be down on him after taking second at the Santa Anita Derby.
One factor that could help Bolt d'Oro Saturday is the presence of jockey Victor Espinoza, who recorded back-to-back Kentucky Derby wins aboard California Chrome and American Pharoah in 2014 and 2015.
Every horse responds to a jockey differently, but Espinoza knows how to get the best out of a strong contender at Churchill Downs, and it could be a difference maker.
Coming out of post No. 11 should also benefit Bolt d'Oro, as he will be in the middle of the pack to start the race.
If you're looking for something else to convince you to choose Bolt d'Oro, he comes from terrific pedigree, as his sire, Medaglia d'Oro, finished second at the Belmont Stakes and fourth at Churchill Downs in 2002.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90
Statistics obtained from kentuckyderby.com
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