New 2019 Kentucky Derby odds after Omaha Beach defection
Longtime Churchill Downs morning line maker Mike Battaglia on Wednesday updated his 2019 Kentucky Derby odds following original favorite Omaha Beach's scratch, installing Game Winner as the race's new 9-2 favorite.
Omaha Beach, the original top choice, defected from the field due to a respiratory issue to become the first morning line favorite scratched since Uncle Mo in 2011.
Game Winner, meanwhile, is one of a trio of horses trained by Bob Baffert who are also the three lowest prices on the board before betting opens. Behind Game Winner are Roadster and Improbable, both at 5-1.
Battaglia quipped that with the Omaha Beach development, "I'm now making Bob Baffert 7-5 to win the Derby." A sixth career Kentucky Derby win would tie the Hall of Fame conditioner with Ben Jones on the all-time list.
Game Winner was unbeaten at 2, including with a win at Churchill Downs in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile; Roadster, who had a breathing issue of his own, won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his prior start; and Improbable chased Omaha Beach for second in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Take note of other changes below:
| 2019 Kentucky Derby morning line odds | ||
| Horse | Updated odds | Original odds |
| 1. War of Will | 15-1 | 20-1 |
| 2. Tax | 20-1 | 20-1 |
| 3. By My Standards | 15-1 | 20-1 |
| 4. Gray Magician | 50-1 | 50-1 |
| 5. Improbable | 5-1 | 6-1 |
| 6. Vekoma | 15-1 | 20-1 |
| 7. Maximum Security | 8-1 | 10-1 |
| 8. Tacitus | 8-1 | 10-1 |
| 9. Plus Que Parfait | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 10. Cutting Humor | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 11. Haikal | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 12. Omaha Beach | SCR | 4-1 |
| 13. Code of Honor | 12-1 | 15-1 |
| 14. Win Win Win | 12-1 | 15-1 |
| 15. Master Fencer | 50-1 | 50-1 |
| 16. Game Winner | 9-2 | 5-1 |
| 17. Roadster | 5-1 | 6-1 |
| 18. Long Range Toddy | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 19. Spinoff | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 20. Country House | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 21. Bodexpress | 30-1 | 30-1 |