Kentucky Derby 2017 Expert Picks
Who do the experts like in Kentucky Derby 2017? It was already considered wide-open, but with a muddy track and more rain coming down, the race has turned even more into a free-for-all, with expert picks varying more than recent years.
HRN’s own Brian Zipse gives you his rundown on why McCraken will win, as well as who will like the mud.
Joe Nevills makes a case for Tapwrit on DRF, analyzing why his pedigree gives him a better chance than most players think. David Aragona also analyzes the field with Timeform US statistics and the Pace Projector.
DRF’s Mike Watchmaker takes a different route from Joe Nevills. Watchmaker examines the ups and downs on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the favorite contenders, and why he thinks Irish War Cry is the horse to win.
Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert make their top three picks for The New York Times. Each make their comments on all twenty horses, but ultimately come to different conclusions.
The Courier Journal collected winners, horses to hit the board, and longshots from their staff and other industry experts. Classic Empire and McCraken were the top choices for the win.
USA Today lists picks from Unanimous A.I., an artificial intelligence platform to help with betting choices. Last year, Unanimous A.I. picked the top four finishers correctly in the Kentucky Derby.
KentuckyDerby.com and Churchill Downs gathered their experts’ picks, with the local horse McCraken representing the top choice.
David McCracken from Bleacher Report gives his top three, also noting the dark horses he will be watching out for.
With Irish War Cry being a New Jersey-bred, it’s easy to imagine he has backing from locals. NJ.com provides picks from Jerry Izenberg, Keith Sargeant, and Alex Orr, Jr. Irish War Cry finds favor with all three.
Steve Petrulla of Sporting News provides a rundown on different ways to bet the Derby, and wraps it all up with his top three choices.
By Christine Oser