The Kentucky Derby is often one of the most exciting horse races to bet on across the world.
Similar to the Grand National in the UK, the Kentucky Derby has the same importance for horse racing enthusiasts in the USA.
With 20 runners unproven over the distance, there is often a number of exciting betting angles that bettors can follow. That was evident last year, as there was a shock 81/1 winner of the Kentucky Derby in the form of Rich Strike.
You can find a complete list of past winners here and see how they performed: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/winners
The betting for the race this year is already open, and there will be a number of contenders behind the favorites with pieces of form that could engage those looking for an outsider winner of the opening Triple Crown race this year.
Two Phil’s
Two Phil’s will be the runner for Larry Rivelli in the Derby this year, and he comes into the race at Churchill Downs having already clashed with some of the top stars in the betting. He finished seventh behind Forte as a two-year-old last year, before finishing third in the G3 Risen Star behind Angel of Empire in February.
On that start against the latter, he finished just two lengths behind one of the Derby front-runners and looked to be closing in the final stages. His best performance to date came at Churchill Downs at the end of October last year, as he won over an extended mile to land G3 Street Sense Stakes. That piece of course form could be an engaging betting angle for the recent G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks winner.
Rocket Can
Rocket Can appears to be the main challenger from the William Mott stable in the Kentucky Derby this year. The three-year-old caught the attention last year to land a speed figure of 89 at Churchill Downs, before finishing a close second to Confidence Game at the same track in November. His 2023 campaign started with victory in the G3 Holy Bull, reaching a speed rating of 84.
However, he has been outclassed on his previous two starts, as he finished well behind Forte in the G2 Fountain of Youth, before he could only take four in the G1 Arkansas Derby. But, Rocket Can is a horse that certainly thrives at Churchill Downs, having achieved his best speed ratings at the track.
Continuar
There is an international feel to the Kentucky Derby this year, with two runners from Japan set to line up at Churchill Downs. Derma Sotogake is the preferred runner in the market, but Continuar could be set to outrun his odds on the big day. The three-year-old was well beaten by Derma Sotogake in the G2 UAE Derby in March, finishing over ten lengths behind his rival.
However, he only finished a nose behind the same runner late last year over the same distance, and has proven winning form on the dirt after landing the Cattleya Stakes at the end of November in Tokyo. He certainly has something to find on ratings, but a perfect draw, and trip, could see him become a solid contender at a huge price.
Raise Cain
Ben Colebrook will be dreaming of a Kentucky Derby win this year, and he could hold a solid chance on the form of Raise Cain. The three-year-old’s price in the betting has taken a recent hit after he struggled in the G1 Blue Grass Stakes, finishing over six lengths behind eventual winner Tapit Trice. However, his form earlier in the season was encouraging.
He was a very fine winner over Slip Mahoney over a mile at Aqueduct to land the G3 Gotham Stakes by seven lengths. He is yet to prove his quality over the extended distance, with both of his victories to this point coming over distances between seven furlongs and a mile.
Lord Miles
Lord Miles is a runner for Saffie Joseph Jr in the Kentucky Derby this year. The three-year-old upset the odds to book his spot in the field for the race at Churchill Downs, as he landed the G2 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct at the beginning of May. He got up late on his first attempt over the extended 1 1/8 mile distance to win at odds of 59/1.
That was just his second career victory on his fifth attempt, but the speed figures do appear to show that he is still improving, and he could be one that’s hard to completely rule out.
