Kentucky Derby 2017 Early Odds

Only ten days away from the first Saturday in May, the field is firming up for Kentucky Derby 2017. There still should be some movement on the qualifying points bubble, but for some, that bubble looks ready to burst. With that said, what we really want to know is what kind of odds we are going to get on our personal favorites. Pre-draw, here is how I see the probable field being bet, listed in order of points earned ...

1) Girvin  (12-1)  Joe Sharp / Mike Smith

The streaking, dual graded stakes winner from Louisiana has plenty of going for him heading to Louisville, including a Hall of Fame rider pick-up; however, an altered training schedule leaves us wondering.

2) Classic Empire  (6-1)  Mark Casse / Julien Leparoux

The champ came back with a popular victory in the Arkansas Derby, but is that enough to have him fully cranked for the rigors of the Kentucky Derby? Even with questions, he rates co-favorite status.

3) Gormley  (12-1)   John Shirreffs / Victor Espinoza

After disappointment in his second to last prep, the Shirreffs trainee rebounded nicely with a hard earned win in the Santa Anita Derby with Victor Espinoza in the saddle, but is he fast enough?

4) Irap  (20-1)  Doug O'Neill / Mario Gutierrez

Breaking your maiden in the Blue Grass Stakes had never been done before. Earning your second career victory in the Kentucky Derby is even tougher.

5) Irish War Cry  (10-1)  Graham Motion / Rajiv Maragh

This good-looking son of Curlin bounced back in a big way to win the Wood Memorial in impressive fashion. If you can draw a line through the Fountain of Youth, he looks like a major player.

6) Thunder Snow  (20-1)  Saeed bin Surror / Christophe Soumillon

No horse has ever won the UAE Derby, and then even finished in the money of the Kentucky Derby. Will he be the first? He's classy and well-bred, but he has a lot to overcome.

7) Always Dreaming  (6-1)  Todd Pletcher / John Velazquez

After impressing in his first two starts of the year, he ran away and hid from his competition in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. Can the son of Bodemeister take it just a little bit farther than his sire did?

8) Gunnevera  (10-1)  Antonio Sano / Javier Castellano

If the speed starts to crumble, this late runner is the most likely horse in the field to be motoring home late. Javier Castellano, perhaps America's top jockey is ready for his first Kentucky Derby win.

9) Practical Joke (15-1)  Chad Brown / Joel Rosario

Since winning a pair of Grade 1 stakes as a juvenile, he has been knocking on the door away from New York. Will third-race off the layoff be the charm for this charge from last year's top trainer?

10) J Boys Echo  (30-1)  Dale Romans / To Be Determined

In the Gotham he zoomed by the leaders, but in the Blue Grass, he lacked the zoom. Back at his regular home of Churchill Downs, he might be ready to run a big one for his Louisville native trainer.

11) State of Honor (30-1)  Mark Casse / Jose Lezcano

The Canadian-bred has plenty of speed, and a solid penchant for sticking around for a piece. Was no match for Always Dreaming last time, but the Derby is a new day.

12) Tapwrit  (25-1)  Todd Pletcher / Jose Ortiz  

This expensive son of Tapit is a bit of an enigma wrapped-up in a puzzle. He seemed to be progressing so well through the Tampa Bay Derby, and then the Blue Grass happened. Draw a line through it? 

13) Malagacy  (30-1)  Todd Pletcher / To Be Determined

He's definitely not a sure thing to run, but if he does, he certainly has enough speed and talent to make his presence felt. The question is, how long will he stick around.

14) Hence  (15-1)  Steve Asmussen / Florent Geroux

You call the impressive winner of the Sunland Derby, the "wise-guy horse". I call him one of the more dangerous late runners in the Kentucky Derby field.

15) Fast and Accurate  (50-1)  Mike Maker / Tyler Gaffalione 

Well, he is on a bit of a roll, but despite the quick jump up to graded stakes racing, I still do not believe that what he saw competition-wise in the Spiral is anything like he will see in the Derby.

16) McCraken  (8-1)  Ian Wilkes / Brian Hernandez, Jr.

My top pick needs to prove that the Blue Grass performance, in which he came in third, was only a prep. A stepping-stone, if you will, to much bigger things.

17) Battle of Midway  (20-1)  Jerry Hollendorfer / Flavien Prat 

Hung around doggedly after being part of a fierce pace battle in the Santa Anita Derby. Not sure this one will be a lot easier early, but he might have gotten a world of experience out of that last one.

18) Patch (30-1)  Todd Pletcher / To Be Determined

I liked him in the Louisiana Derby, and I was happy with the way he finished the race. Having said that, winning in Kentucky off of only three lifetime races, would be bucking history.

19) Battalion Runner  (15-1) Todd Pletcher / To Be Determined

On the one hand, he could not handle Irish War Cry in the Wood Memorial, but on the other hand, it was a good effort for a lightly raced colt. A forward move off that makes him interesting.

20) Untrapped  (30-1)  Steve Asmussen / To Be Determined

He's a nice colt who is always right there in early stretch, but cannot quite get the job done. The Derby seems like a tough spot to finally get the job done.

*21) Lookin At Lee  (25-1)  Steve Asmussen / To Be Determined 

Still on the outside looking in, I have confidence that the late runner will make it into the field, and when he does, look out. The son of two-time champion Lookin At Lucky should be absolutely motoring late.

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