Few races get the adrenaline pumping like the Kentucky Derby. The showpiece event of the year at Churchill Downs takes place this Saturday, as the 20 best three-year-olds on the dirt compete over 1 1/4 miles for the first Triple Crown prize of the season. All of the best horse racing sportsbooks will have the contenders priced up, and you can find the Kentucky Derby 2022 odds below, as we run through some of the main contenders.
Kentucky Derby 2022 Odds
| Epicenter | +350 |
| Zandon | +450 |
| Taiba | +600 |
| Messier | +1000 |
| Mo Donegal | +1100 |
| White Abarrio | +1100 |
| Charge It | +1100 |
| Simplification | +1600 |
| Smile Happy | +2000 |
| Cyberknife | +2000 |
| Tiz The Bomb | +2500 |
| Zozos | +2500 |
| Crown Pride | +2500 |
| Classic Causeway | +3300 |
| Tawny Port | +3300 |
| Pioneer of Medina | +3300 |
| Barber Road | +4000 |
| Rattle N Roll | +5000 |
Kentucky Derby Leading Contenders
Epicenter- +350
The betting will be headed by the horse that topped the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. This three-year-old has been excellent throughout the season, and has already beaten many of his rivals during his victories in the G2 Risen Star and G2 Louisiana Derby. His highest speed figure recorded is 102, while he also broke his maiden at Churchill Downs, which is a pleasing factor. His experience in big fields is also a plus, but getting away quick will be his biggest challenge.
Zandon- +450
Zandon is horse of the horses I am keen to fade this weekend. The three-year-old has already been beaten by both Epicenter and Mo Donegal this calendar year, and has posted a career-best speed figure of only 98. The fact that his final prep win came in the G1 Blue Grass is also a concern, as that race hasn’t produced a Derby winner in over ten years. His running style also isn’t going to favour conditions at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Taiba- +600
One of the most exciting horses in the field this year is Taiba. This three-year-old firmly emerged as a leading contender following his win in the G1 Santa Anita Derby on his last start. However, no horse has ever won the Kentucky Derby on their third career start, and inexperience in big fields is a massive factor towards me fading him.
Messier- +1000
Messier is undoubtedly the value play at the current prices. This three-year-old has recorded the joint-highest speed figure of 103 to date, and won the G3 Robert B. Lewis earlier in the year. He finished behind Taiba in the G1 Santa Anita Derby, but he likely needed the run after not appearing for two months. He has a massive chance this weekend.
White Abarrio- +1100
My other big fancy this weekend is White Abarrio for Saffie Joseph Jr. This three-year-old won the Florida Derby earlier in the year, which to date has produced winners of 20 Triple Crown races. It helps his case that he has already beaten a number of rivals, including Charge It. Meanwhile, he has experience of the track, having finished third in the Kentucky Jockey Club last year, and has stall 15, which has a very impressive 15% strike rate in the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby 2022 Picks:
- Messier (+1000)
- White Abarrio (+1100)
