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Not many sporting events are recognized by a nickname so you know it must be a big deal when two names are synonymous with said event. Be it “The Run for the Roses” or “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” we know it as the Kentucky Derby. The first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown is always a monumental event and with a sense of normalcy returning after COVID ravaged the sporting world, Churchill Downs, one of the most famous horse race tracks, will be packed with spectators for the 148th edition.
There was plenty of time for horse racing handicapping with 37 prep races that started last September. Several horses earned enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby and the field is always the largest of the Triple Crown runs. A maximum of 20 horses will take to the starting gate with four horses listed on the betting line with shorter than 10/1 odds. There is no clear-cut favorite this year, though Epicenter tops the odds board after a breathtaking victory in the Louisiana Derby.
The 2022 Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 7 from Churchill Downs in Lexington, KY. Post time is 6:57 p.m. ET with NBC providing television coverage. For those wanting to bet on horse racing, visit Sugarhouse sportsbook for all the current odds.
Odds to win 2022 Kentucky Derby
Epicenter +525
Messier +607
Taiba +627
Zandon +627
Mo Donegal +1020
Smile Happy +1422
White Abarrio +1589
Charge It +1629
Crown Pride +2052
Cyberknife +2313
Tiz The Bomb +2573
Simplification +2878
Zozos +3047
Early Voting +3082
Pioneer of Medina +4050
Barber Road +5133
Summer is Tomorrow +6050
Un Ojo +8050
Tawny Port +8050
Happy Jack +11550
In Due Time +15250
While the actual race is why we’re here in the first place, the entire week leading up the Kentucky Derby is a big party. And it’s one that will resonate with all kinds of fans since the previous two editions were tame in comparison. And you know Derby officials would like to put the controversy of last year behind them. Medina Spirit was the first to cross the finish line, but several months after the race he was disqualified due to a failed post-race drug test. Second-place finisher Mandaloun is now officially recognized by Churchill Downs as the 2021 Kentucky Derby Winner.
There’s a reason why Epicenter emerged as the betting favorite. With four wins in his last five races he cruised past Derby hopefuls Zozos and Pioneer of Medina in the Louisiana Derby at the end of March. And the winner of that race has gone on to have success in the Kentucky Derby. He also closed with the most points by a wide margin in the road to the Kentucky Derby point standings. There are no sure things, but it looks like Epicenter is a solid horse racing pick.
He hasn’t run as often as other horses in the field, but Taiba is well worth a look. You can’t have better horse racing results than this colt with both starts ending up in wins. He started off the pace then passed the favorites to win the G1 Santa Anita Derby. Beating the Derby’s second favorite earlier this month vaulted Taiba up the odds board. He lacks experience with only two starts and both those races came in limited fields, so wager with caution.
Everybody loves an underdog and that’s no different in horse racing. So, is there any horse in the field that stands out as a potential big payday? I came across this interesting tidbit about Mo Donegal when researching horse racing news and it struck me. According to America’s Best Racing, 18 of the last 24 Kentucky Derby winners finished their previous race’s last 3/8 of a mile in 38 seconds or less.
And guess what? Mo Donegal was the fastest of six horses to accomplish the feat running away to win the Wood Memorial with a time of 35.61 seconds. A better start and not getting pinched in a crowded field will only help with Mo Donegal’s finishing speed. He also has Derby winner Todd Pletcher as his trainer giving Mo Donegal a lethal combination for positive horse racing results.
Backing the favorite in a horse race pays off about a third of the time, but the reward isn’t as substantial. We’ve seen some huge dogs win in the past, but it’s unlikely Happy Jack or In Due Time prevail. Epicenter has everything going for him and should take the first step toward joining the exclusive list of horse racing Triple Crown winners.
