It’s once again time for the greatest tradition in American horse racing: The Kentucky Derby. It’s been 146 years since the first running of this horse race and the event remains as popular as ever. As always, the Kentucky Derby will be held on the first Saturday in May, which in 2022 falls on May 7. The race comes with a massive $3 million purse and will take place at Churchill Downs on a 1¼ mile track. As arguably the biggest horse race of the year, the event tends to attract a star-studded audience filled with celebrities.
View the latest 2022 Kentucky Derby odds!
Often referred to as ‘The Run for the Roses’ and ‘The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports’, the Kentucky Derby has become one of the biggest days of the year for sports betting. The entire gambling community turns their attention to the sport of horse racing for this event, making it a can’t-miss betting experience. This betting preview from Bovada Sportsbook will help you to get in on the action with an inside look at the top 10 horses in the field and the 2022 Kentucky Derby odds.
2022 Kentucky Derby Favorites
Epicenter +400
As the clear betting favorite leading up to the 2022 Kentucky Derby, Epicenter is currently offering a four to one payout at Bovada Sportsbook. Epicenter sits atop the Kentucky Derby leaderboard and has four wins in the past five months, including the Maiden Special Weight at Churchill Downs in November. With a strong bloodline and guidance from the legendary trainer Steven Asmussen, Epicenter is looking like a popular bet at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Messier +650
While he’s ranked just 15th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 40 points, Messier is another horse getting a lot of betting attention leading up to race day. This bay colt impressed with a second place finish at the Los Alamitos Futurity in December and followed that up with a dominant win in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park in February. Bred for long distance tracks and still getting faster all the time, Messier may find more success at Churchill Downs.
Taiba +650
With only three total starts in his entire career, Taiba will become one of the least experienced horses in Kentucky Derby history. Bred from Gun Runner, a third place finisher at the 2016 Kentucky Derby, Taiba sold for a fair amount as a yearling and is beginning to look like a great investment; he earned 100 points with his resounding win at the $750,500 Santa Anita Derby (G1) in April and currently sits eighth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
Zandon +800
Zandon’s current odds offer some great betting value when you consider that he sits second overall in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings with 114 total points and an impressive $663,500 in winnings. The bulk of that came just last month when Zandon won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland by a solid 2½ lengths. Word around the track is that this dark bay colt is capable of a strong late kick and is considered one of the best bets to win this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Mo Donegal +1000
As the colt of Uncle Mo, who fathered 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, Mo Donegal has the genetics needed to become the next great champion. The horse pulled off an exciting win over Zandon at the $250,000 Remsen S. (G2) in early December and earned an ever bigger victory when he won the Wood Memorial just last month. Mo Donegal sits fourth on the leaderboard with 112 points and aims to become the first Kentucky Derby winner for Donegal Racing.
White Abarrio +1100
Trainer Saffie Joseph is heading to the 2022 Kentucky Derby with White Abarrio, an eye-catching, beautiful gray colt. White Abarrio comes from an impressive line of race horses, namely Tapit and Into Mischief. In addition to inheriting Tapit’s recognizable gray coat, he also got his grandparent’s speed and endurance. White Abarrio has already earned wins in 2022 at the Holy Bull Stakes and the Florida Derby and will look to add another victory at Churchill Downs on May 7.
Charge It +1400
While he may sit 18th in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings with only 40 points, Charge It clinched his spot in the big race with his second place finish behind White Abarrio in April’s Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. Some odds makers and betting experts may feel that this horse is too short on experience to win the Kentucky Derby this year, but the fact remains Charge It will be one of the most talented colts on the track.
Smile Happy +1400
Despite being the son of champion sprinter Runhappy, Smile Happy was bred for longer distance tracks and is looking like a great bet for anyone hoping to score a massive payout at the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Despite his large payout odds at Bovada Sportsbook, Smile Happy continues to impress with second place finishes at the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and Blue Grass Stakes (G1). Only time will tell if that success will translate to victory on the first Saturday in May at the Kentucky Derby.
Tiz The Bomb +1600
The Spendthrift Farm racehorse is currently fifth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, but sits first in total earnings with over $1 million in prize money. Tiz the Bomb has amassed a bit of a following in the betting community after recent wins in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes and Jeff Ruby Stakes, both at Turfway Park. It remains to be seen how Tiz the Bomb will perform at Churchill Downs but his current betting odds offer the potential for a great payout.
Cyberknife +1800
With last month’s victory in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park, Cyberknife clinched his spot in this year’s Kentucky Derby. Cyberknife currently sits sixth in the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 100 points and $752,000 in earnings. This chestnut colt may be a longshot based on his current betting odds, but Cyberknife has improved greatly over the past year and surprised many people with his win in Arkansas. With his current betting odds paying out 18 to 1, Cyberknife could shock the sports betting world with a win at Churchill Downs.
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