There are few more popular horse races to wager on in the world than the Kentucky Derby. That will be no different this year, as a talented field of runners aged three will compete in the opening leg of the Triple Crown. It will be a famous moment for the sport of horse racing in North America, as this year’s Derby will celebrate its 150th edition.
It promises to be one of the most engaging betting events of the year, with no shortage of leading contenders likely to take their chance at Churchill Downs. But, which horses could be considered as leading outsiders in the betting at this stage?
Current Leading Contenders
Sierra Leone remains the runner at the top of the betting for the Derby this year. The Chad Brown runner has won once from two starts in stakes company, which includes an excellent success over Track Phantom in the G2 Risen Star.
Catching Freedom has been the significant market mover in recent weeks after landing the competitive G2 Louisiana Derby by a length from Honor Marie.
How early can you bet on the Kentucky Derby?
So, how early can you bet on the Kentucky Derby? You can bet after the Breeders Cup (in November) up to the race date in May. However, advance wagering becomes available only close to 24 hours prior.
Plus, the odds change and the new contenders may appear or rise up in the odds, so it is worth to keep an eye.
Conquest Warrior
Conquest Warrior could be an interesting dark horse selection for the Kentucky Derby this year, for trainer Claude McGaughey. The three-year-old has done very little wrong on track to this point since losing on debut at Aqueduct over seven furlongs on December. He bounced back to form when stepped up to a mile, beating Antiquarian in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream.
Another significant marker was put down over 1 1/8 miles following that effort when landing a second straight victory at Gulfstream Park in early March. However, we will likely learn more about his potential Derby chances when taking his place in a highly competitive renewal of the G1 Florida Derby in late March.
Mystik Dan
Kenneth McPeek could have an interesting contender for the Derby this year in the form of Mystik Dan. This three-year-old has been involved in some solid races already throughout his career, and more progression is extremely likely over the extended distances this year. He was below his best on his debut in stakes company this year when finishing fifth in the Smarty Jones Stakes, but he bounced back to form with a stunning performance on muddy ground when scoring in the G3 Southwest Stakes over 1 1/16 miles.
A potential wet Derby this year could make him a very strong contender in a wide-open race, with his latest win registering a speed figure of 104. However, we could find out more about his chances when he takes his place in the G1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park at the end of March.
Domestic Product
Chad Brown has a leading Derby dark horse on his hands this year, as Domestic Product could be a value angle in the betting at this stage. He is by a proven sire in terms of graded stakes victories in the form of Practical Joke, and he has prior experience at a number of tracks across the United States for respected connections. The three-year-old was a distant second in the G3 Holy Bull Stakes at the start of the year, but he did manage to finish ahead of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion Fierceness.
He has already run over 1 1/8 miles, landing a maiden special weight at Belmont at the Big A. A huge step up in performance level was evident on his previous start, as he managed to get the better of the impressive No More Time by a head in the G3 Tampa Bay Derby. More will be needed if he is to land a big victory on the Road to the Kentucky Derby before lining up at Churchill Downs, but he is one that is challenging to completely write off at this stage for connections that have a solid record in Triple Crown races.
The Wine Steward
The Wine Steward could be a very interesting dark horse contender for the Derby this year. This runner is trained by Michael Maker and is by Vino Rosso. The three-year-old has an interesting profile at this stage, despite having failed to make a start as a three-year-old this year.
However, we will likely see how much he has progressed when he potentially lines up in the G3 Lexington Stakes in mid April. This runner has won three from four career starts, which includes high speed ratings when securing victories in the Bashford Manor Stakes and Funny Cide Stakes.
His latest effort saw him step up to 1 1/16 miles for the first time, and he more than held his own when finishing a close second behind Locked in a highly-competitive renewal of the G1 Breeders’ Futurity. There could be a lot more to come from this runner, and he is one to very much keep on side at this stage on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
