Picks For This Weekends Kentucky Derby

The most famous race on the US racing calendar takes place at Churchill Downs this weekend as a maximum field of twenty lineup in search of the $1,890,000 pot in the Kentucky Derby.

With Chad Brown’s Zandon installed as the ML favorite, the 148th renewal of the race looks unlikely to be headed by a short price come post time and we have opted to tackle the race with a three-pronged attack.

A key feature to this year’s renewal looks to be the vast amount of pace on offer with 4, 6 & 17 all likely to force the early fractions with 3 & 8 also unlikely to be too far away.

Those at the front end have dominated in recent times however there is every chance of a pace collapse here which would subsequently bring the late finishers into the picture, meaning both ends of the pace map must be taken into consideration.

*(Odds will vary for each pick between sportsbooks so compare them on more than one to get the best price if you decide to tail our picks)

Summer Is Tomorrow looks the most likely front-runner of the listed speed angles from stall 4 however we don’t envisage him seeing out the trip well enough with the Tim Yakteen trained Taiba being our favoured selection from the likely prominent racers.

This 3-y-o son of Gun Runner broke all the trends when landing the Santa Anita Derby on just his second career start and the experience of top jockey Mike Smith may be crucial to his chances of breaking further records entering the Kentucky Derby reckoning on just his third outing.

Smith has stated he will be happy to lead if the option is there but a repeat of his pace-tracking performance last time out looks more probable.

Another with outstanding claims at a reasonable price is White Abbarrio.

Saffie Joseph’s grey colt hasn’t had a straightforward campaign having picked up a few knocks but that hasn’t ceased his progress and he looks ready to peak on the big stage.

Tyler Gaffalione’s mount took control of the Florida Derby as they turned for home in eye-catching fashion and that is historically a key trial for the Kentucky Derby.

Our final pick in the Run for the Roses is Mo Donegal for Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz.

This son of Uncle Mo has stall 1 to deal with but as a closer he is one that will take advantage of the previously mentioned strong clip does burn out.

He got the better of the ML favourite Zandon when they went to the battle in the Remsen Stakes in December and his form ties in with our other selection White Abarrio from their clash (3rd & 1st) in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream.

White Abarrio came out on top that day however Mo Donegal finished with a strong late charge therefore a reversal of that form isn’t out of the question racing over the longer trip.