The Kentucky Derby will be held on May 7th 2016, and this years race looks to be one of the best in years. With a guaranteed minimum gross purse of $2,000,000 The Greatest Two Minutes In Sports is going to make a owner a jokey very happy. You’re able to get in on the fun too and place wagers on the race. There are plenty of states with sports betting across the country. In fact you will find a sportsbook willing to take reasidents of any state. While most bookmakers do not have futures odds as of yet, there are a few horses that are sure to be near the top of the oddsmakers lists. Let’s take a look at some promising contenders.
Many amateur oddsmakers are predicting that Nyquist, winner of the 2015 Breeders Cup Juvenile, will be the favorite in 2016. This young colt has a 5-0-0 record is catching the eyes of fans and bookmakers alike. Many wonder if the new star has the stamina to pull through in the Derby, as the thoroughbred hasn’t trotted on a track the length of Churchill Downs as of yet. However, people were saying the same thing about American Pharaoh last year, so don’t let lack of experience fool you.
Airoforce is coming off of a stellar year, taking first in three of his four last races, and placing second in the Breeders Cup Juvenile behind Nyquist. If he does as good in his next race as he did in the last two stakes wins, you should expect to see him near the top of the odds. The 2-year old is a finalist for the Eclipse Award and is all but a sure thing to compete in the Derby.
Our next prediction for a near-favorite spot is Mohaymen. This undefeated grade II superstar has had nothing but impressive speeds, and seems to be “neighing” for longer distances. It’s almost as if he is chomping at the bit to tear up the track at Churchill Downs. A good comparison can be made between Mohaymen and American Pharaoh, as they both are coming into the Derby year with undefeated and impressive stats.
Swipe and Exaggerator, both trained by Keith Desormeaux, who boasts 499 career wins, will be insanely talented contenders for the Derby this year. Swipe has come in 2nd in the last four races, and first in the Summer Juvenile Championship. Exaggerator has three 1sts, a 2nd, and a 4th in his last five races. These powerhouses, along with one of the best trainers in the world, are going to be forced to be reckoned with.
For a semi-longshot, serious bettors should keep an eye on Cocked and Loaded, a colt with an impressive burgeoning career. C&L is a descendent of Godolphin Arabian, a lineage that hasn’t won the derby since 1937, but many amateur oddsmakers predict that this will be the horse to end the drought. C&L has won three out of his last five races including the Belmont Park Tremont competition where he beat out Swipe and other Derby favorites.
The 142nd Run For The Roses will be aired live on NBC and you should keep an eye on the best online sportsbooks because the futures should be getting posted anytime now. If you are a horse racing fan, you probably already have your picks in place. If not, do your research, check out our favorites, and see if the odds match your guesses when they come out.