Bovada opens 2018 Kentucky Derby odds; who's the favorite?
Online sports book Bovada.LV opened betting Thursday for the 2018 Kentucky Derby and quickly answered the key question exiting the Breeders' Cup Juvenile: Who's the favorite?
Even with a defeat, Bovada lists Bolt d'Oro, who ran wide throughout and hit the wire third, as its 7-1 top choice now six months from the first Saturday in May. Good Magic, previously a maiden who scored the Juvenile upset, is the 10-1 second choice.
Dale Romans-trained Hollywood Star (12-1), Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Mendelssohn (20-1) and impressive debut winner Montauk (20-1) are the other leading choices.
There could be value in contenders who didn't run well in the Juvenile but have in other prominent stakes, as Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity winner Free Drop Billy is 28-1 and Champagne winner Firenze Fire 33-1.
At this point in the Derby prep season, Bovada lists odds for 26 horses. It's worth considering that at this point in 2015, eventual Derby winner Nyquist was a 2-year-old champion and Juvenile winner. In 2016, however, Always Dreaming was 0-for-2, still two months from breaking his maiden.
2018 Kentucky Derby odds from Bovada.LV
Bolt Doro 7/1
Good Magic 10/1
Hollywood Star 12/1
Mendelssohn 20/1
Montauk 20/1
Free Drop Billy 28/1
Solomini 28/1
Firenze Fire 33/1
St Patrick's Day 33/1
The Tabulator 33/1
Engage 40/1
Sporting Chance 40/1
Avery Island 50/1
Runaway Ghost 50/1
Lone Sailor 60/1
Bravazo 66/1
Dak Attack 66/1
Enticed 66/1
Nero 66/1
Promises Fulfilled 66/1
Airtouch 85/1
Argosy Fleet 85/1
Flameaway 85/1
Mourinho 85/1
Run Away 85/1
Saxon Warrior 85/1