The 2017 Kentucky Derby is now just a few days away. This year’s Run for the Roses is expected to be an open one, with multiple horses capable of winning. Let’s take a look at the favorites to claim the first leg of the Triple Crown, as well as a couple more horses who may be able to spring something of a surprise.
Always Dreaming and McCraken are starting to separate themselves as the main favorites in a Kentucky Derby that figures to have a handful of contenders.
Always Dreaming, the current overall favorite at +250, has a bunch of things going for him. He’s trained by the legendary Todd Pletcher, although there are a few other horses in the race that will be too. He will be ridden by legendary jockey John R. Velazquez, who won the Derby back in 2011. Always Dreaming will also head into the big race on a two-game winning streak, which includes the Grade 1 Florida Derby in April.
There are also a lot of things to like about McCraken (+350), which is why he’s right up there as one of the top favorites. The Ian Wilkes-trained horse is intimately familiar with Churchill Downs, where he has three wins in three starts as a juvenile. McCraken is also a strong finisher who likes to come from behind, a trait that has served many Derby winners well.
High-value Sleeper: Lookin At Lee
Lookin At Lee is one horse to look very closely at. Similar to McCraken, Lookin At Lee (+1,600) is someone who can finish strong, and could benefit from the added distance of the Derby. He ran well at last year’s Breeders Cup Futurity, closing in from some way back to finish second behind Classic Empire. That’s just one of a nine career races for Lookin At Lee, making him one of the most experienced horses in the field.
His new jockey, Corey Lanerie, should also be a big asset. Lanerie has won 11 of the last 12 jockey titles at Churchill Downs, and is still hungry to grab his very first Kentucky Derby win.
Long Shot: Patch
Although he has just one working eye left, Patch is a still a good long-shot bid to consider at +3,000. Patch has some very good pedigree which includes a fair share of stakes winners who have excelled at long distances. Coming off a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, the third start of his career, the Todd Pletcher-trained horse looks capable of jumping up another level in the Derby.
Writer’s Prediction
McCraken (+350) runs a cracker of a race as he claims the Kentucky Derby.
Who do you have winning the big race? Create a betting account now to get in on the action for the 2017 Kentucky Derby.
