Bodemeister was installed as the 4-1 morning line betting favorite for Saturday’s 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, which will be contested at Churchill Downs.
Trained by hall of fame trainer Bob Baffert, the colt is coming off an impressive victory in the Arkansas Derby (G1) in his most recent outing.
The colt is attempting to become the first Kentucky Derby winner since Apollo in 1882 to win the Run for the Roses without having a start as a two-year-old.
The colt did not make his debut until Jan. 16 when he ran second in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita.
The second choice on the morning line is Union Rags, who looked as if he was headed to Louisville as the betting favorite until he was upset in the Florida Derby (G1) by Take Charge Lady.
The colt won four of his first five career starts, the lone loss a head decision to Hansen in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
The undefeated Gemologist is the third choice on the morning line at 6-1. The Todd Pletcher trainee won the Wood Memorial (G1) in his last outing and is perfect in five career starts.
Others expecting to take betting action include Blue Grass (G1) winner Dullahan (8-1), 2011 juvenile champion Hansen (10-1) and Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner I’ll Have Another (12-1).
Complete Morning Line Odds for Kentucky Derby (Post time 6:24 ET) Live on NBC:
- 1. Daddy Long Legs 30-1
- 2. Optimizer 50-1
- 3. Take Charge Lady 15-1
- 4. Union Rags 9-2
- 5. Dullahan 8-1
- 6. Bodemeister 4-1
- 7. Rousing Sermon 50-1
- 8. Creative Cause 12-1
- 9. Trinniberg 50-1
- 10. Daddy Nose Best 15-1
- 11. Alpha 15-1
- 12. Prospective 30-1
- 13. Went the Day Well 20-1
- 14. Hansen 10-1
- 15. Gemologist 6-1
- 16. El Padrino 20-1
- 17. Done Talking 50-1
- 18. Sabercat 30-1
- 19. I’ll Have Another 12-1
- 20. Liaison 50-1
- 21. My Adonis 50-1 (AE)
Get Michael Dempsey’s full card report for the Kentucky Derby Day card. Michael’s report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations for the entire card. His report will be available on by Friday morning.
For the third time in the past five years Turf ‘n’ Sport subscribers scored big on Kentucky Derby Day! Michael Dempsey nailed Animal Kingdom on top in last year’s Derby, returning $43.80 for a $2 wager. In 2010, Mike nailed Super Saver with his top pick, returning $18.00! In 2007 Mike scored with his top pick Street Sense, paying $11.80!
