Kentucky Derby betting will almost always list the contenders as horses that won the prep races leading up to the Run for the Roses.
That is the case again this year in Kentucky Derby odds as Eskendereya is the solid morning line favorite.
Kentucky Derby betting odds favor Eskendereya based on his easy win in the Wood Memorial. He won that race with ease and looks to be getting better. He is being compared favorably to Big Brown who won the Derby two years ago. "We’ve never had a horse we knew could handle the mile-and-a-quarter and we’ve never had one put together a couple of preps like this one," trainer Todd Pletcher said, "We’ve had some good prep wins, but none as impressive as these two."
American Lion won the Illinois Derby and could show some early speed in the Kentucky Derby. WinStar Farm owns American Lion and they already have Endorsement and Rule in the field. They may also get Super Saver and Drosselmeyer into the field. If they get all five horses into the field they would have a quarter of all the horses in the Kentucky Derby betting field.
Sidney’s Candy won the Santa Anita Derby and he is a contender in the Kentucky Derby odds although behind Eskendereya and Lookin at Lucky. Sidney’s Candy could be the lone speed in the Derby and it is possible he could be good enough to wire the field. Eskendereya is probably better but you never know what can happen when a horse gets loose on the lead.
Lookin at Lucky was the favorite in the Santa Anita Derby but got a terrible ride from Garrett Gomez. That race will probably be thrown out and he should be the second choice in Kentucky Derby betting behind Eskendereya. If nothing else, Lookin at Lucky is due for a good trip. Caracortado also got a bad trip because Lookin at Lucky stopped right in front of him. He need some help in terms of earnings but he could get in the field. The Wood was all about Eskendereya but also coming out of that race is Awesome Act. He stumbled and threw a shoe in the Wood so you may want to throw that race out.
There are a couple of other prep races to consider as you look at Kentucky Derby betting. The Blue Grass is always worth taking into consideration as is the Arkansas Derby.