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Sports Interaction Staff
2021 Kentucky Derby: Betting Odds and Predictions
Twenty ponies earned their spots in the 147th Kentucky Derby, and they’ll line up to run the 1 ¼-mile race at 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 1. The field for the $3 million race is currently led by favorite Essential Quality, the 2020 champion 2-year-old male who is unbeaten with five wins leading up the Derby.
2021 Kentucky Derby Horses
The following list is the field for the Kentucky Derby with short bios, post positions, and current betting odds.
1. Known Agenda 6-1 odds
The son of sire Curlin and Byrama is trained by Todd Pletcher, who has won the Derby twice before, with Super Saver in 2010 and Always Dreaming in 2017. Jockey Irad Ortiz has won twice with Known Agenda, and this will be his fourth Derby race.
2. Like the King 30-1 odds
A son of Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice and Like a Queen, Like the King is the first horse trained by Wesley Ward to run this race. It’ll be jockey Drayden Van Dyke’s third Derby start; he most recently came in fourth in 2018 on Instilled Regard.
3. Brooklyn Strong 36-1 odds
Sired by Wicked Strong and Riviera Chic, by Medaglia d’Oro, this race is the first Derby for trainer Danny Velazquez and for jockey Umberto Rispoli, one of the best riders on the California racing circuit.
4. Keepmeinmind 35-1 odds
A son of Laoban and Inclination, Keepmeinmind drew into the Derby just a week before the race when Get Her Number withdrew. This is the first Derby showing for both trainer Robertino Diodoro and jockey David Cohen.
5. Sainthood 40-1 odds
Sainthood is one of trainer Todd Pletcher’s four Derby starters, alongside Known Agenda, Bourbonic, and Dynamic One. This will be jockey Corey Lanerie’s fifth Kentucky Derby start. Sainthood was sired by Mshawish and Lemon Hero, by Lemon Drop Kid.
6. O Besos 20-1 odds
The son of the 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb, O Besos. This is the second Derby for trainer Greg Foley, who last year came in 10th with Major Fed. It’s jockey Marcelino Pedroza’s first Derby.
7. Mandaloun 17-1 odds
Sired by Into Mischief and Brooch, by Empire Maker, Mandaloun is trainer Brad Cox’s second horse in this race, the other being odds favorite Essential Quality. Jockey Florent Geroux has ridden Mandaloun in each of his five starts.
8. Medina Spirit 9-1 odds
The Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit is the son of Protonico and Mongolian Changa, by Brilliant Speed. Jockey John Velazquez rode Authentic in last year’s race to claim his third Kentucky Derby win.
9. Hot Rod Charlie 8-1 odds
Son of Oxbow and Indian Miss, Hot Rod Charlie will be ridden by Flavien Prat. This will be Prat’s fourth Derby start, his most famous being the controversial win with Country House in 2019. Trainer Doug O’Neill has won this race twice in the last decade, with I’ll Have Another in 2012 and Nyquist in 2016.
10. Midnight Bourbon 20-1 odds
Sired by Tiznow and Catch the Moon, Midnight Bourbon is ridden by veteran jockey Mike Smith. Smith has raced in 26 Kentucky Derbys, winning in 2005 and again in 2018 with Justify, who went on to win the Triple Crown. Trainer Steve Asmussen has two ponies at the posts, the other is Super Stock.
11. Dynamic One 22-1 odds
A son of Union Rags and Beat the Drums, Dynamic One is another of Todd Pletcher’s trainees in this race. This will be Jockey Jose Ortiz’ sixth Kentucky Derby start; he came in second in 2018 on Good Magic and third in 2019 with Tacitus.
12. Helium 39-1
Helium, sired by Ironicus and Thundering Emilia, is undefeated in the three races he’s run. Trainer Mark Casse has been to eight Derbys. Jockey Julien Leparoux has ridden twelve Kentucky Derby horses.
13. Hidden Stash 52-1
A son of Constitution and Making Mark Money, Hidden Stash is the first Derby for trainer Vicki Oliver (the first horse in this race with a female trainer since 2015.) Jockey Rafael Bejarano is making his ninth Kentucky Derby start.
14. Essential Quality 2-1 odds
With five wins in five starts, Essential Quality is the favorite to win the Run for the Roses this year. Sired by Tapit and Delightful Quality, by Elusive Quality, Essential Quality will be ridden by Jockey Luis Saez, who was riding Maximum Security in 2019 – the horse that had his win taken away after being disqualified for interference.
15. Rock Your World 5-1 odds
Sired by Candy Ride and Charm the Maker, Rock Your World is trainer John Sadler’s fourth showing at the Derby. Jockey Joel Rosario won the Derby in 2013 on Orb, and has started in this race nine times.
16. King Fury 20-1
King Fury’s trainer Ken McPeek will be seeing his seventh Kentucky Derby this year. It’ll be the third for jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. King Fury is the son of Curlin and Taris.
17. Highly Motivated 8-1 odds
Sired by Into Mischief and Strong Incentive. Jockey Javier Castellano is making his 15th start in this year’s race. Trainer Chad Brown has had five horses in the race since 2013.
18. Super Stock 17-1 odds
The son of Dialed In and Super Girlie, Super Stock’s trainer Steve Asmussen has been to the Derby 21 times, finishing second twice. This will be Jockey Ricardo Santana’s seventh Derby start.
19. Soup and Sandwich 23-1 odds
Sired by Into Mischief and Souper Scoop, by Tapit, Soup and Sandwich is another of trainer Mark Casse’s Derby horses this year. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione rode War of Will in the 2019 Derby.
20. Bourbonic 21-1 odds
This son of Bernardini and Dancing Afleet is another of trainer Todd Pletcher’s horses in this year’s Derby. It’ll be jockey Kendrick Carmouche’s first ever start in the Kentucky Derby.
2021 Kentucky Derby Betting Odds
Essential Quality is coming into this race with lots of buzz around him to win the Triple Crown. He led the pack in the standings with 140 points and is a perfect 5-0. Essential’s maiden was broken at Churchill Downs.
2021 Kentucky Derby Winner Prediction
It’s hard to bet against this year’s favorite, Essential Quality, who’s being touted as a Triple Crown threat. Don’t discount the potential of Highly Motivated or Rock Your World; both ponies have the potential for upset.
