Kentucky Derby Horses to Follow in 2022
Horses to Follow in 2022
It’s never too early to bet on the 2022 Kentucky Derby, so we look at the top market chances for the May event.
One of the biggest age-group races in the world, the Kentucky Derby attracts big bets at the sportsbook Every bettor wants a piece of the action and locking in an early bet is an excellent way to find value.
Jack Christopher
The 2-year-old colt is one of the more impressive Kentucky Derby hopefuls to race in 2021.
He won on debut at Saratoga before taking the Grade I Champagne Stakes at Belmont over the likes of Command Performance and Wit.
Being scratched from the Breeders’ Cup wasn’t ideal, but it could help his chances in the Derby. It allows him to have a nice break before resuming and sometimes running in the Breeders’ Cup takes too much out of a juvenile.
He will need to come back from a procedure, which resulted in a screw being inserted in his shin. Racing manager Bradley Weisbord explained the situation.
“Jack Christopher saw Dr. Larry Bramlage the Wednesday following the Breeders’ Cup,” Weisbord told TDN. “He had a full examination, including a bone scan. A couple of areas lit up, mainly the left shin, which is the reason he scratched on the Thursday prior to the Juvenile.
“He had a procedure where one screw was inserted into his shin, which will be removed in three weeks. He will recover at WinStar Farm before heading to South Florida.”
Horse racing betting markets have Jack Christopher as equal favorite at +1400.
Echo Zulu
It’s not easy for a filly to win the Kentucky Derby, but Echo Zulu could buck the trend.
Not since 1988 has a filly won the Derby, and it has happened only three times (Winning Colors, Genuine Risk and Regret).
History is against the daughter of Gun Runner, but she couldn’t have been more impressive in winning all four career starts.
She won her first two starts at Saratoga, including the Grade I Spinaway Stakes. She then went to Belmont and took out the Frizette before impressively winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar.
The sky’s the limit for Echo Zulu and she has been respected in Kentucky Derby betting markets. She is +2000 and we expect those odds to firm closer to race day.
Corniche
On the same betting line as Jack Christopher is Corniche, who has yet to put a foot wrong in three starts.
The Bob Baffert-trained colt won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, which followed a win in the American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita.
There have been six winners of the Juvenile/Derby double, including Street Sense and Nyquist. It had long been a ‘jinx’ race for the Derby, but it has produced more winners than any other juvenile race.
We’re not sure if he’s the most impressive age-group star we’ve ever seen, but the betting odds must be respected.
Baffert also has an excellent Derby record, so that must be taken into account.
Rocket Dawg
Rocket Dawg isn’t a name that rolls off the tongue when talking about Kentucky Derby hopefuls, but he could cause an upset.
The Brad Cox-trained son of Classic Empire looked the goods when winning on debut at Churchill Downs.
Bettors get a look at Rocket Dawg in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds where he’s a 3-1 chance. Should he come through the $100,000 contest on Sunday, expect his odds for the Derby to shorten.
He’s currently at +3300 to win, so bettors should entertain his Betting online odds.
