Kentucky Derby odds - futures still offer value
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Kentucky Derby odds: Still plenty of options to choose from
- WHO: 3YO Thoroughbreds on the Kentucky Derby Trail
- WHAT: Kentucky Derby odds
- WHERE: Churchill Downs
- WHEN: Saturday, May 2
For those of us who enjoy taking an early position on the Kentucky Derby, the Derby betting futures market has plenty of appeal. While the prices on current favorites such as Old Fashioned and Pioneerof the Nile have dropped significantly since early January, there’s still plenty of value to be found.
Pool 1 of Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed on Sunday, Feb. 15, and Pool 2 doesn’t open until March 12. Not to worry, because BetOnline.com is offering Kentucky Derby odds from now through Tuesday of horse derby week, and there are currently 51 horses to choose from!
At BetOnline.com, the price you receive from the racebook at the time you bet Kentucky Derby is “locked in”, and “all bets have action”. In other words, if your horse continues to prosper on the Kentucky Derby trail, and makes it to the gate at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, you may have him (or her) at a much higher price than what you would get on the day of the race.
Conversely, if your horse doesn’t perform up to your expectations in his (or her) prep races, his (or her) post-time odds might be higher than what you received in your futures wager. Worst case is that your horse doesn’t make it to the race, and you’re stuck with a losing futures bet. But hey…that’s why they call it gambling!
Many Kentucky Derby betting fans will take a stab at one or two longshots in the futures market and hope to catch lightning in a bottle. Others will lock in on a favorite, with the expectation that they’ll be getting 10-1 on a horse that goes off at 5-2 when the gates open. Some will mix it up with a combination of longshots and medium-priced contenders, and hope that a couple will improve by leaps and bounds in the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby race (as is often the case with rapidly developing 3YO’s).
Whatever your strategy, you’ll be well-served if you do your homework. Get familiar with the connections of the Derby contenders, and study their history in the Run for the Roses. Study each horse’s breeding to determine if they’re likely to have success at the classic 1 ¼-mile distance. Watch replays of the races and create your own trip notes. Shop for value…remember, it’s a long way to May 2, and lots of things can happen in the meantime.
Good luck, and be sure to check out the Kentucky Derby odds and prices at BetOnline.com. Make their horse racing betting odds work for you!
Pete Mitchell has been handicapping horses since his teenage years. He has been a professional horse player for many years, and came to BetOnline.com’s attention through multiple referrals from industry insiders/sportsbook owners. Pete is revered for his horse handicapping opinion and industry experts acknowledge his impressive career winning record. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
