"It got a little nerve-wracking with both horses still to go and the rail still being out there," Cox said. In September, he was viewed as a strong horse, but not the favorite with Tiz the Law in the field. Isn't that one of the top three or four factors you consider? Rock Your World is viewed as the top challenger to Essential Quality. 1. Keepmeinmind finished third — behind top Derby hopefuls Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie — … "I think it'll be a good spot [for Essential Quality]. 7 has produced seven winners, including Justify in 2018, and Mr. Big News came out of that spot to take third in 2020. The draw for the $3 million, Grade 1 Kentucky Derby was held Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs. He continued his success in 2021 by winning the graded Southwest at Oaklawn Park in his three-year-old debut. If your horse's name contains food, good chance I'll bet on it in some fashion. Mandaloun does have two victories and a third-place finish in his career, but his worst result came against the biggest field and in the longest race he competed in at the Louisiana Derby. Q: Really? I also love that in five career starts, he's never finished out of the money. Got a fantasy sports question or thought? Meanwhile, Midnight Bourbon has already dropped to 20-1, leaving us with two interesting choices in Highly Motivated or Mandaloun to win, both of which are aggressive picks. Guess the 99 Beyer Speed figure doesn't do enough for you, does it? It is similar to Ivan Lendl never winning at Wimbledon. He has won more than 5,600 races including seven total Triple Crown series races. Q: Let's start at the bottom. Mandaloun comes from mare Brooch, making him the grandsire of Empire Maker. He's not a bad bet to include at the bottom of your trifectas and superfectas. But being the favorite does not always equate to being in the winner's circle Saturday night. And they're off! Brooklyn Strong: Umberto: Rispoli: 50/1: 4. I keep waffling on whether or not to bet on him. This year, the race will be held on Saturday, May 1st, 2021. Post No. Obviously won't get all those combinations, but those are pure lottery tickets anyway, so I am not worrying about getting 'em all. One reason to like Smith and Midnight Bourbon is that's he had success with long shots at the Kentucky Derby before. ET on NBCSN, and switching to NBC at 2:30 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and Champion 2-Year-Old Male Essential Quality leads the 20-horse field as the 2-1 favorite from the No. And yup, Rock Your World hit 100 in his Santa Anita Derby win on April 2. The 2021 Kentucky Derby post positions are out, which means we've got odds for the Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 1. Castellano overcomes his Waterloo and finally wins the Kentucky Derby. With four 50-1 shots and another four 30-1, you have at least half a dozen horses that are going to be complete non-factors. Last year’s winning trainer and jockey team up again with Medina Spirit (15-1). 4. You can watch the Kentucky Derby at 5 p.m. EST on TV on NBC or live stream on NBCSports.com. A: You readers can't see it, but I'm smiling. The Kentucky Derby Pool 3 opened on Friday Feb. 12 and closed on Sunday Feb. 14. Essential Quality, trained by Louisville native Brad Cox, was named the 2-1 favorite … The Kentucky Derby 2021 … A: Simply put, no. After Essential Quality, there are three entrants with odds below 10-1: Rock Your World (5-1), Known Agenda (6-1) and Hot Rod Charlie (8-1). The weather forecast keeps changing. Keepmeinmind: David: Cohen: 50/1: 5. Yet Mandaloun was an early-season favorite. Expert Picks at the Kentucky Derby. Essential Quality should enter the Kentucky Derby starting gate Saturday as the favorite to win the first leg of the Triple Crown. At 5-1, the Santa Anita Derby champion should fight for position with the pre-race favorite for most of the 1¼ miles. He put in his final work on April 28, going five furlongs in 1:00 under jockey Florent Geroux before an additional furlong gallop-out in a sparkling 1:12.60. He was a distant second to stablemate Life is Good in the San Felipe. I think Medina Spirit can run a good race, but I just don't like him as a winner. Kentucky Derby 2021: Predictions, Picks, Contenders and Odds By Mark Strausberg , 4/29/21, 10:30 AM EDT The "Run for the Roses" is back in its traditional spring setting A: Known Agenda is literally a "horse for the course" as his running style is the perfect match for the Kentucky Derby. William Hill odds: 20-1. Coming off a win at the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, he's finally showing his meddle. Highly Motivated's jockey is Javier Castellano. The contenders for the 2021 $3 million Kentucky Derby are in Louisville, major works done, trotting, galloping and rocking steady toward the Saturday feature. Statistics obtained from KentuckyDerby.com. In early February, Mandaloun looked like a potential Derby favorite after a strong win in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, where he posted a 98 Beyer Speed Figure, a … In fact, 2020 pre-race favorite Tiz the Law started there and finished behind Authentic, who started to his right. Q: Hmmm. The Kentucky Derby field is … The experience against Triple Crown competition combined with a string of consistent results makes Midnight Bourbon an intriguing dark-horse selection. Why he’s here: Medina Spirit won his debut (at 5½ furlongs) in … Known Agenda: Irad: Ortiz, Jr. 6/1: 2. TheRobGoldberg And this feels just a little too long for my tastes. Live odds, betting, horse bios, travel info, tickets, news, and updates from Churchill Downs Race Track. Current 2021 Kentucky Derby Odds. Because Castellano has pretty much won everywhere else. https://www.newsweek.com/2021-kentucky-derby-post-positions-odds-1587367 The first one that comes to mind is Hot Rod Charlie. Q: Should we make a pun about being Highly Motivated? Listed below are the closing odds for Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. I'm not seeing him as a winner, but he's got plenty of stamina and recently finished second at the Wood Memorial. - Derby Prep Race Replays - Latest Derby Odds - Kentucky Oaks Fillies Not too shabby. Rock Your World does not have as lengthy a track history as Essential Quality, but he did beat out fellow Derby horse Medina Spirit to win at Santa Anita on April 3. And then I play six "lottery ticket" $1 Superfectas with 10, 11, 14, and 15. Kentucky Derby 2021 best bets: Odds, horses and complete guide. A horse could be shot out of the stadium across the street, land, and win. The horse starting in Post No. 14 position in the 147th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Are there any long shots you like? A: No, please don't. He's won the Preakness. The undefeated grey colt is trained by Brad Cox, who looks to … The Baffert barn. Trainer Todd Pletcher has described his horse as one that is "still putting it all together." A: No question about it, Baffert has a phenomenal record at the Derby. Life is Good is a spectacular horse that would probably have given Baffert his seventh victory, but had minor surgery and will have to miss Triple Crown season. He drew the rail, and it has been nearly 35 years since a horse won the Derby from the rail when Ferdinand did it in 1986. but there is this: Pac-12 Football: What to Know About the 2021 Schedule, 35 Key College Football Super Seniors Returning in 2021, College Football's Top 20 Quarterbacks on the Rise for 2021, 2021 NFL Draft: Grading the First-Round Picks, Athlon Sports' 2021 NFL Draft Guide Digital Edition Available Now, Ranking College Basketball's National Champions Since 1985, 15 Best Teams That Did Not Win the NCAA Tournament, 2021 NCAA Tournament: Ranking the Sweet 16 Teams, 75 Funny Fantasy NASCAR Team Names for 2021, How to Watch and Live Stream NASCAR Online (some for free), Kentucky Derby 2020: Predictions, Picks, Contenders and Odds, How to Make a Great Kentucky Derby Mint Julep, Kentucky Derby 2021: Predictions, Picks, Contenders and Odds. Essential Quality enters the 2021 Kentucky Derby as the best horse in the field. He also will be well-rested, coming off a 42-day break. Known Agenda (6-1) Current Form: Disappointed as favorite in the Sam Davis. Q: Solid. Stay up to date on the horse racing odds to win the Kentucky Derby for May 1, 2021 at Churchill Downs with TVG. He won here last year with Authentic. The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three year-old Thoroughbreds at Churchill Downs run on the first Saturday in May. And I would actually be shocked if neither Mandaloun nor Highly Motivated are not part of the winning trifecta ticket. Hit him up on Twitter @MarkStrausberg. Known Agenda. Here are the top-ranked contenders for the 2021 Kentucky Derby. I guess given Baffert's track record at the Derby, it's an easy choice. That's in addition to his record 26 Breeder's Cup races. And the 2021 Kentucky Derby is quickly approaching. $1 Trifecta part wheel 17 WITH 1,7,11,15 WITH 1,7,11,15 for 12 $1 combinations or $12 total. Life Is Good 7/1; Essential Quality 8/1; Greatest Honour 9/1; Prevalence 14/1; Caddo River 15/1; Mandaloun 16/1; 2021 Kentucky Derby Future Wager - Pool 2 Last question: If I give you $20 to place a bet for me, what would it be? Mandaloun's sixth-place finish at the Louisiana Derby is not a great sign for success at Churchill Downs, but he does start in a favorable position. — Written by Mark Strausberg, a member of the Athlon Network Contributor, who despite his youthful exuberance and good looks has been playing fantasy sports before Wildcats or Hoosiers even made it to VHS. He has one of the best pedigrees in the field. But of all the 30-1s, I like Dynamic One the best. Top 2021 Kentucky Derby predictions For the 147th Run for the Roses, Goldberg is completely fading Known Agenda, even though he is one of the top favorites … The 20 horses have arrived at Churchill Downs. 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