Only four days separate us from the start of the 2017 Kentucky Derby, but unlike previous editions of the race, this year the field is more wide open. However, this is definitely good news for thoroughbred betting enthusiasts who are looking for value-packed choices and plenty of them.
More importantly, thanks to the expert horse racing betting analysis and picks that you’re about to receive, you’re going to have a great idea of just which prized 3-year-olds are offering the best value in terms of their legitimate chances of winning it all.
A Closer Look At The Kentucky Derby 2017 Expert Picks On How To Bet On The Race
2017 Kentucky Derby
When: Saturday, May 6, 2017
Where: Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Race Information
Distance: 1¼ miles (10 furlongs)
Track: Dirt, Left-handed
Qualification: 3-year-old
Weight: Colt/Gelding: 126 lbs (57.2 kg)
Filly: 121 lbs. (54.9 kg)
Purse: US$2 million, 1st $1,425,000
2017 Kentucky Derby Odds
Always Dreaming 4/1
Classic Empire 4/1
Irish War Cry 13/2
McCraken 7/1
Gunnevera 12/1
Girvin 16/1
Gormley 16/1
Practical Joke 16/1
Thunder Snow 16/1
Hence 22/1
Irap 25/1
Tapwrit 25/1
Battle of Midway 28/1
Lookin At Lee 28/1
J Boys Echo 33/1
Sonneteer 33/1
Patch 40/1
State of Honor 40/1
Untrapped 50/1
Fast and Accurate 66/1
My Top Four Finishers
Always Dreaming +400
I like Always Dreaming as my top pick to win this year’s Kentucky Derby and he’s entering the big race on fire after recording three consecutive first place finishes, most recently at the Xpressbet Florida Derby on April 1. Always Dreaming blew away the field and beat State of Honor and Gunnevera by five lengths.
Classic Empire +400
Classic Empire was the prohibitive favorite until recently when Always Dreaming’ odd were bumped up a bit. Now, as the co-favorite Classic Empire is looking good after closing out the 2016 campaign as the best juvenile in the country. However, if you plan on betting on this year’s Kentucky Derby, you should know that juvenile winners have struggled to win the Kentucky Derby in recent times with only Street Sense (2007) and Nyquist (2016) being able to win the derby after winning the Juvenile title.
Irish War Cry +650
I like Irish War Cry as a more value-packed +650 pick, seeing as how he’s won two of his last three races. After finishing seventh at the Xpressbet the Fountain of Youth race at Gulfstream Park on March 4, Irish War Cry bounced back to win the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 8.
State of Honor +4000
State of Honor finished second to Always Dreaming at the Florida Derby and that tell me he can run with any thoroughbred under the right circumstances, making him a great ‘super longshot’ pick at +4000 odds.
In addition to the age-old and simple, win, place and show bets, you can also make exotic wagers like an exacta, trifecta or superfecta wager. Additionally, you can make classic Pick-3 and Pick-4 wagers on the 2017 Kentucky Derby. If you want to know more about thee wagers, check out the MyBookie blog and read the latest 2017 Kentucky Derby article.
