Kentucky Derby 2018: Projected Prize Money Earnings, Order of Finish and More

Money, fame, bragging rights and history. Each of those things will be on the line Saturday as the 2018 Kentucky Derby takes place, with each horse in the 20-strong field looking to end its day in the winner's circle.

Considered the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports, the Run for the Roses will be even more intriguing to watch, as no horse appears to be a clear favorite despite what the oddsmakers might tell you.

Kentucky Derby Odds

Justify +350 (wager $100 to win $350)

Mendelssohn +350

Audible +700

Bolt d'Oro +700

Magnum Moon +750

Good Magic +1,000

My Boy Jack +1,200

Vino Rosso +1,600

Hofburg +1,800

Solomini +2,500

Enticed +3,000

Noble Indy +4,000

Free Drop Billy +4,500

Flameaway +5,000

Lone Sailor +5,000

Promises Fulfilled +6,000

Instilled Regard +6,600

Firenze Fire +6,600

Bravazo +7,500

Combatant +8,500

Odds according to OddsShark and current as of 11 a.m. ET Saturday.

The purse is $2 million and will be broken down among the top five finishers in the race. 

Winner: $1.24 million

Second: $400,000

Third: $200,000

Fourth: $100,000

Fifth: $60,000

Predictions

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

At +325, Justify is the co-favorite, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will win. After all, Justify isn't just racing against 19 other horses and jockeys—he's also competing against history.

Since Apollo accomplished the feat in 1882, no horse that didn't race as a two-year-old has won the Kentucky Derby. Apollo's Curse is renowned for a reason; experience matters at Churchill Downs.

Marcus Hersh of Daily Racing Form illustrated just how difficult it's been for horse that didn't race as a two-year-old to win the Derby:

Justify will taper off over the final lengths of the race, allowing more experienced horses to come in and steal first place. One horse to watch in that respect is Mendelssohn, who will need to be in peak condition in order to pull off the upset.

After winning the UAE Derby earlier this year, Mendelssohn put his name on the map as a contender for the Derby. However, no UAE Derby winner has won at Churchill Downs, and with post position No. 14, there's not a lot working in the colt's favor.

ESPN's Chris Fallica explained why No. 14 isn't favorable in this race:

Speaking of post position, how about Audible getting No. 5?

Audible is coming off a three-length G1 Florida Derby victory back in March and has recent history on his side with the No. 5 post. Last year's Kentucky Derby winner, Always Dreaming, was No. 5 as well.

It's a tough race to predict, and first place is there for the taking. But Audible is in great form with a great post position and will win the 2018 Kentucky Derby.

Predictions: 1. Audible, 2. Mendelssohn, 3. Justify.