The 2017 edition of the Kentucky Derby is set to take place this Saturday evening at Churchill Downs Racetrack. The Derby kicks off the Triple Crown of horse racing in the United States and is the second most wagered on sporting event in North America every year. This year there is no clear cut favourite heading into the Kentucky Derby, with several horses being given a shot and Classic Empire having the best odds to win at 5.5/1.
Kentucky Derby 2017 – Betting Odds
Here are the current odds for the Kentucky Derby from Bet365.com, with every horse that is being given a 20/1 or better chance to win the race. Be sure to check Bet365.com yourself closer to the race for the updated odds.
- Classic Empire 6.50
- Always Dreaming 7.00
- Irish War Cry 8.50
- Mccraken 11.00
- Practical Joke 13.00
- Gormley 15.00
- Thunder Snow 15.00
- Gunnevera 17.00
- Girvin 17.00
- Tapwrit 21.00
- Hence 21.00
- Irap 21.00
These are fixed odds taken from Bet365 a week before the race. If you bet on raceday the odds will be shown using the parimutuel format, which means the odds will change depending on the amount of money bet on each horse race on race day.
My Favourite Picks
Of the three favourites with 8.50 odds or shorter to win the race, I like Always Dreaming at odds of 6/1. Always Dreaming has only raced four times in it’s life, but after a 3rd and a 2nd to start off his career, he has won his last two races, including the Florida Derby last month in a very impressive time of 1:47.47. That time is the fastest mile and a quarter of any of the horses in this field and Always Dreaming had plenty left in the tank to leave the other horses behind in the final stretch of the race. Check it out below:
Thunder Snow has won the last three races he competed in and his last race was a 1 3/16 mile race, which is slightly longer than the 1 1/8 mile races most other horses have been doing to prepare for the Derby. Considering that the Derby is 1 1/4 miles, this extra length preparation could pay off for Thunder Snow, who seems to have made improvements heading into the 2017 season.
Hence is an inconsistent horse, but he’s coming off a win at the Sunland Derby posting a time of 1:48.10 in the 1 1/8 mile race. He came from way back in that race and ended up winning by four lengths so if he stays closer to the leaders early and still has that finish in the tank I think he has the ability to lower that time and compete with the favourites. At 20/1 he’s a solid horse to take a stab with.
Play: Always Dreaming 7.00, Thunder Snow 15.00, Hence 21.00
Remember to check out the updated odds at Bet365.com on race day to get your Kentucky Derby bets in.
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