Kentucky Derby 2018 Post Positions: Horse Odds, Prize Money Predictions and More

Saturday has arrived, and it's time for the 144th Kentucky Derby.

The three favorites are Justify (7-2), Mendelssohn (5-1) and My Boy Jack (5-1), according to the Kentucky Derby. 

Like last year, the total purse for the race is $2 million, with the winner set to earn $1.24 million, according to Dave DeLuca of Sporting News.

Let's look at the runners and some last-minute points of interest before the big race.

Kentucky Derby Posts and Notes

1. Firenze Fire 

Jockey: Paco Lopez; trainer: Jason Servis

2. Free Drop Billy 

Jockey: Robby Albarado; trainer: Dale Romans

3. Promises Fulfilled 

Jockey: Corey Lanerie; trainer: Dale Romans

4. Flameaway 

Jockey: Jose Lezcano; trainer: Mark Casse

5. Audible 

Jockey: Javier Castellano; trainer: Todd Pletcher

6. Good Magic 

Jockey: Jose Ortiz; trainer: Chad Brown

7. Justify 

Jockey: Mike Smith; trainer: Bob Baffert

8. Lone Sailor 

Jockey: James Graham; trainer: Tom Amoss

9. Hofburg 

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.; trainer: Bill Mott

10. My Boy Jack

Jockey: Kent Desormeaux; trainer: Keith Desormeaux

11. Bolt d'Oro 

Jockey: Victor Espinoza; trainer: Mick Ruis

12. Enticed  

Jockey: Junior Alvarado; trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin

13. Bravazo

Jockey: Luis Contreras; trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

14. Mendelssohn

Jockey: Ryan Moore; trainer: Aidan O'Brien

15. Instilled Regard

Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke; trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer

16. Magnum Moon

Jockey: Luis Saez; trainer: Todd Pletcher

17. Solomini

Jockey: Flavien Prat; trainer: Bob Baffert

18. Vino Rosso

Jockey: John Velazquez; trainer: Todd Pletcher

19. Noble Indy

Jockey: Florent Geroux; trainer: Todd Pletcher

20. Combatant

Jockey: Ricardo Santana; trainer: Steve Asmussen

Odds

1. Firenze Fire 65-1

2. Free Drop Billy 42-1

3. Promises Fulfilled 41-1

4. Flameaway 53-1

5. Audible 6-1

6. Good Magic 8-1

7. Justify 7-2

8. Lone Sailor 29-1

9. Hofburg 24-1

10. My Boy Jack 5-1

11. Bolt d'Oro 8-1

12. Enticed 52-1

13. Bravazo 68-1

14. Mendelssohn 5-1

15. Instilled Regard 99-1

16. Magnum Moon 13-1

17. Solomini 68-1

18. Vino Rosso 18-1

19. Noble Indy 49-1

20. Combatant 79-1

My Boy Jack's Rise

As recently as Friday, My Boy Jack was at 22-1 to win the Derby. He is now among the three favorites when it comes to odds.

My Boy Jack is the most experienced of the horses, featuring in 10 races, and he has placed first in two races since mid-February.

The colt is respectively trained and jockeyed by the Desormeaux brothers, Keith and Kent.

One thing My Boy Jack has shown in his recent races is his ability to produce great closing speed.

The last horse to win from My Boy Jack's No. 10 spot was Giacomo in 2005. However, there are some positives to being in the middle of the pack—No. 10 has been a position post more than any other.

Let's also not forget Kent Desormeaux has three Derby wins: 1998, 2000 and 2008.

Can You Justify Picking Justify?

With the legendary Bob Baffert in his corner, Justify already has an edge.

That seems be the bettors' view, as Justify has been the favorite for some time. Justify will look to become the first horse since 1882 to win the Derby after not racing as a two-year-old.

Not only that, but Justify has only been in three previous races. But even at 52, Justify's jockey, Mike Smith, is still one of the better riders out there.

According to John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times, Smith had this to say about Justify: "I certainly wouldn't trade him for anyone," Smith said. "He looks the part too. He's a beautiful horse. He's doing well; his color is good. He seems to be happy and ready to roll."

Justify was built to race. His lack of racing experience might be beneficial, and he two of the best in the business by his side.

What About Magnum Moon?

At 13-1, Magnum Moon is a little further down the totem pole than a few of his contemporaries.

However, Magnum Moon has been just as good as Derby favorite Justify but in four starts. Together, the colts have won their races by a combined 33 lengths, per Cherwa.

Magnum Moon is one of four horses trained by Todd Pletcher in Saturday's race, taking the trainer's Kentucky Derby starters to 52 in total.

However, Pletcher has only won the race twice. While that may not be a good ratio, Moon could become another exception.

The last winner from No. 16, Animal Kingdom, came in 2011, and there have been four winners from this spot since 1995.

Another lightly raced horse, Magnum Moon could end up providing quite the payday for his believers.

Prediction

Although he's starting in the middle of the pack, My Boy Jack's race experience will pay off, and his closing speed will allow of him to get ahead of the field and place first for the third time since February.

Statistics obtained from KentuckyDerby.com. All odds according to OddsShark and the Kentucky Derby.