As we turn the page to 2022, it’s time to start thinking about the First Saturday in May. Few sporting events can match the excitement and anticipation of the Kentucky Derby. This event ranks with The Masters, Rose Bowl, and Wimbledon for history and ritual. Corniche has opened as a 10-1 favorite for the 2022 Kentucky Derby Odds. But as veteran gamblers can attest, the board will constantly fluctuate until the horses enter the starting gate on May 7, 2022. Specifically, the world’s best horses, trainers, and jockeys will be on hand.
2022 Kentucky Derby
| Date: | Saturday, May 7, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
2021 Kentucky Derby Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Corniche | 10/1 |
| Smile Happy | 24/1 |
| Messier | 25/1 |
| Rattle n Roll | 25/1 |
| All Others | 28/1 or Higher |
2021 Kentucky Derby SBG Odds Overview – Top Sleepers
Gamblers will notice a lot of different favorites between now and Derby Day. Public sportsbook moods frequently change in the months leading up to the Run for the Roses. Prep race winners will vault to the top of the board. Subsequently, favorites that flop in the prep races will fall out of favor. Ultimately finding good value is the ultimate challenge.
Veteran Horse Players will urge patience to Kentucky Derby post time during the leadup. Thus, there is no need to step out early, as different horses will make headlines. When a quality horse falls out of favor, that is often the time to make a contrarian bet on that contender.
On the other hand, when surprise contenders emerge, it is best to keep a level head. There is no need to go all-in on any horse with four months of prep races leading up to the First Saturday in May.
2022 Kentucky Derby Top Contenders
Corniche 10-1
Corniche will draw massive attention from the start of the Kentucky Derby. Cause by Bob Baffert being the trainer. Baffert was suspended in 2021 after apparently winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit. The win remains in dispute to this day. Medina Spirit failed a drug test at Churchill Downs. Late on, Medina Spirit died of a heart attack in early December. Of major concern is that Baffert-trained horses have died at the highest rate of any trainer.
As for Corniche, the colt has never lost in three races. Including Grade 1 wins at the American Pharoah on October 1, 2021, and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on November 5, 2021. To begin with, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner traditionally opens as the Kentucky Derby favorite.
Smile Happy 24/1
To be exact, Smile Happy won his first two races for trainer Kenneth McPeek. After an October 29, 2021 maiden race win, Smile Happy won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club on November 27, 2021.
Messier 25/1
Yet another Grade 3 winner is Messier. The colt took the wire at the Bob Hope on November 14, 2021. Also, Messier finished second at the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity on December 11, 2021. Messier finished with a win and a second-place finish in MSW races to start his career.
Rattle N Roll 25/1
Also trained by Kenneth McPeek is Rattle N Roll. Rattle N Roll became a 2022 Kentucky Derby Odds favorite after winning the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Futurity on October 9, 2021. Previously, he won an MSW race on September 23, 2021.