Favorite at Center of Kentucky Derby Selections

The 2022 Kentucky Derby runs Saturday at Churchill Downs and it’s one of the more even bettings in recent history.

Epicenter is expected to be the favorite in the Run for the Roses. Looking to snatch favoritism away from Epicenter is Zandon and Taiba, who are being well supported.

Kentucky Derby betting markets present bettors with value odds and we look at the best value bets.

Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and Kentucky Derby odds for Kentucky Derby 2022. We’ve plenty of Kentucky Derby betting predictions for you to consider.

Epicenter at Forefront of Selections

The Steve Asmussen-trained Epicenter has been the Kentucky Derby futures favorite since Messier was defeated in the Santa Anita Derby, but his odds are drifting.

The son of Not This Time was at +350 at the sportsbook before the post position draw, but he has now drifted to +450. We’re not worried about the betting drift, especially after seeing his impressive work over five furlongs this week.

“He has taken a lot of training extremely easy,” Asmussen told Blood Horse. “I thought he took the Louisiana Derby extremely easy, how he came back from the test barn and walked back into (my) barn, and that’s why his works have been ever since faster or stronger than is the norm for me.”

The Louisiana Derby winner owns four wins from six starts and he won his maiden at Churchill Downs, so having track experience is ideal.

Drawing close to the rails won’t worry him and Asmussen said jockey Joel Rosario will let him settle where he likes.

“How long he stands in there, how long it takes to load, 150,000 people staring at him – it’s a lot,” Asmussen said. “Joel is very confident in rhythm of the horse. So, if he is away cleanly Joel will let him be who he is.”

He hasn’t done much wrong to suggest that he won’t run a big race in the Kentucky Derby. He is a progressive type who is a good mover, so we wouldn’t leave him out of our Derby selections.

Pick: Epicenter +450

Zandon Attracting Interest

Chad Brown’s Zandon opened as the favorite following the Kentucky Derby post position draw but has since drifted to the second line.

It was a surprise move by bookmakers to open the son of Upstart as the +400 favorite, but we expected most of the money to come for Epicenter, who has twice the number of wins as Zandon.

He won on debut at Belmont before placing in the Remsen and Risen Star behind Mo Donegal and Epicenter respectively. He will need to turn those performances around to win the Kentucky Derby, but bookmakers are confident.

His win in the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes was impressive and that form should stack up nicely.

There is plenty of improvement to come with Zandon, so he goes into the mix at the each-way odds.

It could pay to follow betting online markets for race-day movement.

Pick: Zandon +500

We Don’t Mind Messier

There was an overreaction within Kentucky Derby odds when Messier suffered a defeat in the Santa Anita Derby.

The Tim Yakeen-trained colt was beaten by Taiba on his merits, but one disappointing run doesn’t undo all the impressive form he showed previously.

He won the Robert B. Lewis and finished second in the Los Alamitos Futurity, so the form checks out and he has run good times throughout his career.

It’s good to see late betting support for Messier and his work, alongside stablemate Taiba, looked good during the week.

“(Messier) is very laid back and (Taiba’s) got a little more juvenile to him,” Yakteen said. “I wouldn’t want to turn my back on him. He might tell you that he’s standing back there.”

Dropping Messier on one run would be foolish, so we’re prepared to have a saver bet on the promising type. Stablemate Taiba also looks like a nice type and he has firmed into +750, so he’s being respected.

Pick: Messier +950

Juicy Odds with Pioneer of Medina

Bettors can find value odds and Pioneer of Medina is one of those runners.

The Todd Pletcher-trained colt finished third behind Epicenter and Zozos in the Louisiana Derby and we believe that’s a good form guide.

He wasn’t far behind Epicenter and Zandon in the Risen Star, but bettors get +3100 odds and they’re too good to pass up.

Pletcher is a two-time winner of the Kentucky Derby (2010 with Super Saver and 2017 with Always Dreaming), so he knows what it takes.

We framed Pioneer of Medina at +1900, so we’re taking the value odds as a saver bet.

Pick: Pioneer of Medina +1900

Kentucky Derby Post Positions, Horse, Trainer, and Jockey

1. Mo Donegal, Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr.
2. Happy Jack, Doug O’Neill, Rafael Bejarano.
3. Epicenter, Steve Asmussen, Joel Rosario.
4. Summer Is Tomorrow, Bhupat Seemar, Mickael Barzalona.
5. Smile Happy, Kenny McPeek, Corey Lanerie.
6. Messier, Tim Yakteen, John Velazquez.
7. Crown Pride, Koichi Shintani, Christophe Lemaire.
8. Charge It, Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez.
9. Tiz the Bomb, Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr.
10. Zandon, Chad Brown, Flavien Prat.
11. Pioneer of Medina, Todd Pletcher, Joe Bravo.
12. Taiba, Tim Yakteen, Mike Smith.
13. Simplification, Antonio Sano, Jose Ortiz.
14. Barber Road, John Ortiz, Reylu Gutierrez.
15. White Abarrio, Saffie Joseph Jr., Tyler Gaffalione.
16. Cyberknife, Brad Cox, Florent Geroux.
17. Classic Causeway, Brian Lynch, Julien Leparoux.
18. Tawny Port, Brad Cox, Ricardo Santana Jr.
19. Zozos, Brad Cox, Manny Franco.
20. Ethereal Road, D. Wayne Lukas, Luis Contreras.

Also eligible

21. Rich Strike, Eric Reed, Sonny Leon.
22. Rattle N Roll, Kenny McPeek, James Graham.