The field for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is finally coming together. Not surprisingly, Florida Derby winner Nyquist remains the favorite in the influential Kentucky Derby futures betting market at Wynn Las Vegas. A field that started with well over 100 betting interests is down to 26 and technically down to 25–the sheets from the Wynn still have Cupid listed despite the illness that has taken Bob Baffert’s horse off the Derby trail.
Only two horses are priced at single digit odds–Nyquist at 4/1 and Santa Anita Derby winner Exaggerator. Nyquist’s Florida Derby rival Mohaymen is priced at 10/1 followed by Brody’s Cause, Gun Runner and Mor Spirit all at 12/1. Outwork is 14/1, Creator is 15/1 and My Man Sam at 18/1 are the last of the field priced at under 20/1. The biggest mover in the field is Blue Grass Stakes runner up My Man Sam. The Wynn Las Vegas Race & Sports Book opened him at 300/1 and he’s down to 18/1 in the latest update. Only one horse in the field is now priced at longer odds than at the open though it is something of a technicality. Spiral Stakes winner Oscar Nominated wasn’t nominated–for the Triple Crown that is. He’s being supplimented into the Kentucky Derby but bettors aren’t buying–he opened 40/1 several days after his win at Turfway Park but is 50/1 in the latest update. One horse’s price hasn’t moved from the open and it’s another ‘technicality’–it’s 81/1 Wood Memorial longshot Trojan Nation who managed to finish second behind Outwork. He opened at 40/1 several days after the Wood Memorial and is still available at that price.
The biggest longshot still remaining in the field is Discreetness at 100/1 down from an opening price of 200/1. This is essentially a ‘parlay bet’ as two separate things have to happen to cash the ticket–the horse has to make the Derby field from 28th place in the standings. You’ll recall that the top 20 horses make the field and Discreetness’s #28 position does reflect the withdrawal of Cupid. After that, all Discreetness has to do is *win* the Kentucky Derby for the bettor to enjoy that 100/1 payday.
The Kentucky Derby will take place at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2016.