The final field for the 145th Kentucky Derby is set, and it promises to be one of the most open Derbys in recent memory with 5 horses under the 8-1 quote. The major story line heading into the race is the scratching of Omaha Beach, who was made the morning line favorite at Tuesday’s post position draw. Top rated Sportsbet Magazine Horse racing Handicapper Michael McCabe was disappointed with the scratching but not for the reason you may think. Our Top Rated handicapper thought Omaha beach was vulnerable at the distance and has now taken some value out of betting with other contenders shortening after the scratching. The event will go off as the 12th race of the day on Saturday with a local post time of 6:50 PM ET.
The new morning line favorite for the race is Game Winner, who comes into the Derby off back to back narrow defeats in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park and the Santa Anita Derby (G1). However, trainer Bob Baffert has said countless times that this race was the ultimate objective, where he will have him ready to fire his best race of the season. The Candy Ride colt has drawn post 16, with jockey Joel Rosario aboard.
Kentucky Derby Final Field & Odds
| PP # | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | ML ODDS | |
| 1 | War of Will (War Front) | Tyler Gaffalione | Mark Casse | 15-1 | |
| 2 | Tax (Arch) | Junior Alvarado | Danny Gargan | 20-1 | |
| 3 | By My Standards (Goldencents) | Gabriel Saez | Bret Calhoun | 15-1 | |
| 4 | Gray Magician (Graydar) | Drayden Van Dyke | Peter Miller | 50-1 | |
| 5 | Improbable (City Zip) | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Bob Baffert | 5-1 | |
| 6 | Vekoma (Candy Ride) | Javier Castellano | George Weaver | 15-1 | |
| 7 | Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) | Luis Saez | Jason Servis | 8-1 | |
| 8 | Tacitus (Tapit) | Jose Ortiz | Bill Mott | 8-1 | |
| 9 | Plus Que Parfait (Point of Entry) | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | Bill Walsh | 30-1 | |
| 10 | Cutting Humor (First Samurai) | Corey Lanerie | Todd Pletcher | 30-1 | |
| 11 | Haikal (Daaher) | Rajiv Maragh | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | 30-1 | |
| SCR | Omaha Beach (War Front) | Mike Smith | Richard Mandella | SCRATCHED | |
| 13 | Code of Honor (Noble Mission) | John Velazquez | Shug McGaughey | 12-1 | |
| 14 | Win Win Win (Hat Trick) | Julian Pimentel | Michael Trombetta | 12-1 | |
| 15 | Master Fencer (Just a Way) | Julien Leparoux | K. Tsunoda | 50-1 | |
| 16 | Game Winner (Candy Ride) | Joel Rosario | Bob Baffert | 9-2 | |
| 17 | Roadster (Quality Road) | Florent Geroux | Bob Baffert | 5-1 | |
| 18 | Long Range Toddy (Take Charge Indy) | Jon Court | Steve Asmussen | 30-1 | |
| 19 | Spinoff (Hard Spun) | Manny Franco | Todd Pletcher | 30-1 | |
| 20 | Country House (Lookin At Lucky) | Flavien Prat | Bill Mott | 30-1 | |
| AE-21 | Bodexpress (Bodemeister) | Chris Landeros | Gustavo Delgado | 30-1 |
Speed Map
The Kentucky Derby Winner
(8) Tacitus (9-1) — Has the ideal draw for his style of Racing and as we take a look at the above speed map their looks to be plenty of speed in front of him while allowing him to be close enough come the final turn. Jockey Jose Ortiz will be able to get him into a great position and give him every possible chance. I liked his odds even more before the scratching of Omaha Beach but we are still getting outstanding value at 9-1. This is the horse that (trainer) Bill Mott says the longer he goes, the better he does. In the Wood Memorial he got slammed out of the gate, almost went to his knees, still won easily and galloped out great. Look for him to be flying over the top of them in the final furlong to become the 145th winner of the Kentucky Derby.
Best Bet Tacitus EW
Online Sports Betting in America – BET HERE NOW TO RECEIVE A MATCHED BET UP TO $500
LIVE ODDS HERE – BET NOW HERE – FREE BETS HERE
