Fresh off his second Triple Crown championship since 2015 with Justify last year, Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert has hit full stride at the age of 66 with no signs of slowing down. In 2015 Baffert trained American Pharoah to the first Triple Crown title since Affirmed won it in 1978. As a result of those two Triple Crowns in the past four seasons Baffert is on top of everyone’s list as the best trainer in Thoroughbred racing. And it should come as no surprise that Baffert is training three of the top favorites to win the blanket of roses at Churchill Downs on May 4 with Game Winner, Improbable, and Roadster. The one wild card that is considered a serious threat to the Baffert trio is Omaha Beach, trained by Richard E. Mandella. Let’s take a look at the top choices now that all of the prep races are done.
2019 Kentucky Derby
Date and Time: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
2019 Kentucky Derby Betting Odds at Bookmaker.eu: Omaha Beach 4/1, Roadster 4/1, Game Winner 5/1, Improbable 5/1, Haikal 7/1, Maximum Security 8/1, Tacitus 10/1, Long Range Toddy 12/1, Vekoma 12/1, Code of Honor 16/1, War of Will 20/1,
2019 Kentucky Derby TV Coverage: NBC
Odds Analysis
With the three Baffert horses among the favorites and with his reputation reaching Bill Belichick levels the public will be pounding Roadster, Game Winner and Improbable. Then add to the fact that Roadster won the prestigious Santa Anita Derby with Game Winner right behind and you add to the prices. The Cherry on Top was Improbable finishing second to Omaha Beach at the Arkansas Derby and you have a clear understanding why Baffert blows away the board.
Improbable
Improbable first made his fame as the winner of the Grade One Los Alamitos Futurity on December 8. Back to back second place finishes in the Grade Two Rebel Stakes and Grade One Arkansas Derby show him to be a consistent top shelf contender,
Roadster
With his win in the Grade One Santa Anita Derby, perhaps the most prestigious pre-Derby prep race, Roadster has emerged as a clear public favorite on the Kentucky Derby board. Roadster has won three of his four races with the only loss being a third-place finish at the Grade One Del Mar Futurity in which Game Winner was the victor.
Game Winner
Game Winner had a breathtaking start to his career with four consecutive wins at the Grade One Del Mar Futurity, Grade One American Pharoah Stakes, and the Grade One Breeders Cup Juvenile. However, Game Winner lost just a little bit of his luster with second place finishes in his last two races at the Grade Two Rebel Stakes and the Grade One Santa Anita Derby.
Omaha Beach
With his win over second place Improbable in the Grade One Arkansas Derby, Omaha Beach catapulted to the top of the Kentucky Derby board. Almost as impressive was his win in the Grade Two Rebel Stakes with Game Winner placing.
Tacitus
William Mott trained Tacitus is already a serious candidate with bargain hunters looking for a quality horse that can win at a great price. Tacitus is coming off back to back Grade Two wins at the Wood Memorial and Tampa Bay Derby.
Maximum Security
With his win in the Grade One Florida Derby, Maximum Security became a top Kentucky Derby favorite that will be well rested having not run since that race on March 30.
Long Range Toddy
Long Range Toddy became a hot item after his win at the Grade Two Rebel Stakes. But finishing out of the money at the Grade One Arkansas Derby in his last race was a bit of a buzz kill.
Free Kentucky Derby Cup Betting Odds Pick
Game Winner is a classic Baffert trained beaten favorite with the ability to get to the wire first!
Kentucky Derby Betting Odds Picks: Game Winner
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