Kentucky Derby Picks, Tips, Expert Betting Predictions

2013 Kentucky Derby Handicapping: Experience
by Trevor Whenham - 5/1/2013

It seems like every year lately we have to address the same storyline in the Kentucky Derby — the lack of racing experience as a two year old. All thoroughbreds have a birthday on Jan. 1 regardless of when they were actually born. Back in 1882, a horse named Apollo won the Derby after having started his career earlier in his three year old year.

2013 Kentucky Derby Pace Scenarios
by Trevor Whenham - 4/30/2013

When handicapping the Kentucky Derby, you have to pay close attention to pace. Basically, that means you have to look at how horses prefer to run a race and whether the race is likely to allow them to run like they want to. A beneficial pace can make it easier for a horse to win, while a problematic pace can kill the chances of a horse. Last year provided a perfect example of both.

2013 Kentucky Derby Jockeys
by Trevor Whenham - 4/30/2013

Jockeys aren’t very big. I have over a foot and more than 100 pounds on most jockeys. I sure wouldn’t mess with them, though. You have to be incredibly tough and a little crazy to do what they do. The jockey in the Kentucky Derby can be the difference between a win and a loss depending on the decisions they make. They are an absolutely crucial part of handicapping the Kentucky Derby because just one rider mistake can foil the chances of the horse in the chaos of the race. Here are six of the most compelling jockey storylines in this year’s Kentucky Derby;

2013 Foreign Horses in the Kentucky Derby
by Trevor Whenham - 4/30/2013

The UAE Derby — a race held on the undercard of the Dubai World Cup, which is the richest race in the world — is a qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby. The winner of that race will almost certainly be able to make the Derby field regardless of what else they have done leading up to the race. That means that for the third year in a row handicappers have to deal with a challenge — a horse based outside of the U.S. running in the Derby.

2013 Kentucky Derby Horse Pedigrees
by Trevor Whenham - 4/30/2013

Call me a geek if you want, but my very favorite part of Kentucky Derby handicapping — and there are few things I love more than Kentucky Derby handicapping — is studying the pedigrees for insights and warning signs. Kentucky Derby pedigree analysis is far more of an art than a science. Horses are being asked to run further and faster than they ever have before, and we really don’t know how they will handle it until it happens.

2013 Kentucky Derby Props Odds
by Dave Schwab - 4/30/2013

The 2013 Triple Crown horse racing season for the top three-year old thoroughbreds in the sport gets underway this Saturday with the running of the 139th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. This is race is the crown jewel of the three-race series followed by the Preakness Stakes in two weeks and the Belmont Stakes in early June.

Todd Pletcher Horses Dominate Kentucky Derby Field
by Trevor Whenham - 4/29/2013

Todd Pletcher is the king of thoroughbred racing. The trainer has been the leading trainer in the country by earnings seven times since 2000, including the last three years. He has a significant lead this year, too. He’s a polarizing figure in the sport despite his success, though.

2013 Kentucky Derby Trainers
by Trevor Whenham - 4/29/2013

Part of what makes the Kentucky Derby so fascinating is that there are so many characters involved. The horses are obviously crucial, but they can’t accomplish anything without the hard work of the trainers and the jockeys. Here’s a look at some of the 2013 Kentucky Derby trainers who will factor heavily into the betting decisions for this year’s race:

2013 Kentucky Derby Betting: Favorite Currently Unclear
by Trevor Whenham - 4/29/2013

We are in a strange situation heading into this Kentucky Derby. With post time less than a week away, we really don’t have a clear sense of which horse is going to be the Kentucky Derby favorite. Most times we know which horse will be the favorite or at least which two horses have a chance. This year, though, things are muddy.

Female Jockeys in the Kentucky Derby
by Trevor Whenham - 4/28/2013

Barring a late injury, Mylute will enter the starting gate on the first Saturday in May for the Kentucky Derby. When he does, he will have, like most horses in the field, and exceptional jockey on his back. The only difference is that that jockey is the only woman in the field — Rosie Napravnik. This is her second time in the race, and she has a chance to make some real history.

Trainer Doug O’Neill and the 2013 Kentucky Derby
by Trevor Whenham - 4/28/2013

If the horse stays healthy, then Santa Anita Derby winner Goldencents will be one of the three or four top favorites at post time in the Kentucky Derby. He’d get a lot of attention as the winner of one of the four biggest Derby prep races in any circumstances. This year, though, he’ll get even more attention than normal — and not all of it positive — because of trainer Doug O’Neill.

Horses That Can Win the 2013 Kentucky Derby
by Trevor Whenham - 4/24/2013

The field is coming into focus for the Kentucky Derby. By now we know that any horse that enters the race has a chance to win it. Mine That Bird taught us that emphatically. There are some real contenders and some horses that are less likely to win, though. If I had to limit the likely field of 20 to something more manageable, then I would identify these six horses that can win the Kentucky Derby (odds to win the Kentucky Derby are from Sportsbook.ag):

2013 Kentucky Derby Handicapping: Early Look
by Trevor Whenham - 4/23/2013

We’re less than two weeks from the Kentucky Derby. There will likely be a full field of 20 horses in the starting gate when the first Saturday in May rolls around. It’s uncertain exactly what the field will look like because the new points qualifying system means there is still some uncertainty at the bottom of the field. For the most part, though, we know what it will look like.

2013 Kentucky Derby Trivia Questions and Answers
by Trevor Whenham - 4/23/2013

The Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 4, 2013 this year. This looks to be another great edition of the Run for the Roses, and I could not be more excited. As is the case every year, I have made these Kentucky Derby trivia questions and answers very tough. If you get seven or more correct then you really know your stuff:

2013 Kentucky Derby Picks and Futures Odds
by Trevor Whenham - 4/16/2013

We are inside of three weeks remaining until the greatest two minutes in sports — the Kentucky Derby. There is plenty of time for endless analysis and handicapping before the horses enter the starting gate. As a starting point, though, here’s a look at some 2013 Kentucky Derby picks and futures odds. I’ve picked Overanalyze as the best bet right now, though I am certain that will change many times by post time. (All futures odds are from Bovada)

2012 Kentucky Derby Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 5/3/2012

The post positions have been drawn, the horses are at the track, and now all we can do is wait. The Kentucky Derby is the greatest two minutes in sports, and the best live sporting event there is. As I anxiously await this year’s edition — with a particularly solid class — here are eight 2012 Kentucky Derby predictions I feel pretty good about:

2012 Kentucky Derby Trainers
by T.O. Whenham - 5/2/2012

Baffert brings two horses to the race this year, but the one everyone will be paying attention to is potential favorite Bodemeister — named after Baffert’s son Bode. The other is Liaison, a talented colt who has yet to find his stride. Baffert is, in my eyes, as good as there is in the game right now.

2012 Kentucky Derby Prop Bets Odds
by David Schwab - 5/1/2012

This Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville marks the running of the 138th Kentucky Derby, which is the Crown Jewel of the Triple Crown racing season for the top three-year-old thoroughbred horses in the United States.

2012 Kentucky Derby Handicapping: Early Look
by T.O. Whenham - 4/30/2012

We’re still a few days away from entry day for the Run for the Roses. That means that the Kentucky Derby field could still change, and we have no idea how the all-important post position draw will turn out. There is also a surprising amount of jockey uncertainty at this point in the process.

2012 Kentucky Derby Betting Tips
by T.O. Whenham - 4/28/2012

With the Kentucky Derby just around the corner, here are five Kentucky Derby betting tips to help point you to the winner: Keep an eye out on our homepage every day leading up to the Run for the Roses as we will dissect the race from every possible angle.