There are still two months to go before the 138th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, but the preparation for May 5’s Run for the Roses starts in the here and now.
Coming off a recent strong showing at the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park, Union Rags has emerged as a popular 4-1 pick in the most current odds to win the 2012 Kentucky Derby, but the All Others option comprised of all three year old thoroughbreds not among the listed options continues be the fallback of choice with 3-1 odds at this point in time. Also garnering interest are the five horses from Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, whose three wins in the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports should reaffirm his credentials to any and all new fans who aren’t aware of his respectable résumé.
Baffert’s stable includes Bodemeister which is currently listed at 15-1, Castaway (who won the first division of Oaklawn’s Southwest) at 20-1, Fred Biz at 12-1, Liaison (who won the CashCall Futurity) at 50-1 and the Secret Circle (who won the second division of the Southwest and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint) at 15-1.
Also worthy of attention is the winner of the Risen Star, El Padrino, who is getting 12-1.
Betting strategy for the Kentucky Derby is largely dependent on whether you want to bet the field or on a specific participant. While this isn’t etched in stone, per se, the odds for individual horses tend to get worse as more information and research on each participant comes out leading up to the race. On the flip side, the “All Others” option doesn’t shift as radically (though, obviously it’ll be impacted by the shifts in the participants’ odds) and thus bets can be placed on this option later than some would care to admit.
At the end of the day, though, common sense rules here. More news about all parties involved as you creep closer and closer to the big show is bad news for anyone who had a smart early hunch.
2012 Kentucky Derby Betting Odds – found in the Horseracing Futures at Bovada Sportsbook
Alpha (20-1)- Battle Hardened (50-1)
- Bodemeister (15-1)
- Castaway (20-1)
- Creative Cause (20-1)
- Dullahan (50-1)
- El Padrino (12-1)
- Empire Way (50-1)
- Fed Biz (12-1)
- Gemologist (20-1)
- Hansen (15-1)
- I’ll Have Another (30-1)
- Liaison (50-1)
- Mark Valeski (30-1)
- Midnight Transfer (30-1)
- News Pending (30-1)
- Out of Bounds (20-1)
- Rousing Sermon (30-1)
- Sabercat (30-1)
- Scatman (20-1)
- Secret Circle (15-1)
- Take Charge Indy (30-1)
- Union Rags (4-1)
- All Other 3YOs (field) (3-1)