There aren’t bigger races in the world of horse racing than the Kentucky Derby. This year’s Triple Crown looks set to be one of the most competitive in recent years, and there are already a number of horses that could be set to target all three events throughout the season.
Many bookmakers are already offering short prices on horses such as Life Is Good and Essential Quality to win all three Triple Crown events, but last season proves that success in all three is incredibly difficult.
Authentic reigned supreme in the Kentucky Derby, while Swiss Skydiver claimed the win in the Preakness Stakes and Tiz The Law won the Belmont Stakes. But, could there be a potential outsider that could upset the odds in the first of the Triple Crown events this season?
Prevalence
One of the leading horses that is available at a bigger price for the Kentucky Derby is Prevalence. The American-trained three-year-old has only been on the track on one previous occasion, but he picked up a win on that run at Gulfstream Park.
It was an emphatic debut for the Brendan Walsh-trained horse, as he held on to win by eight and a half lengths from Stage Raider over seven furlongs.
His experience in that race will hold him in good stead for the season ahead, and he will be one to keep a closer eye on. This could be Walsh’s finest opportunity to win the Kentucky Derby, but conditions will play a part for Prevalence on the big day.
Caddo River
Caddo River could be another horse to keep a very close eye on throughout the season, as he has already shown progressive form throughout his career to this point. Brad Cox trains this three-year-old, but he is yet to pick up a win after having come second in both of his career starts to this point.
The first of those second-place finishes came at Saratoga, as he finished two and three-quarter lengths behind Olympiad.
However, he was much-improved on his second outing at Belmont Park, as he finished behind the eventual winner Speaker’s Corner by just three-quarters of a length.
There may be concern among gamblers that he hasn’t yet won a race, but he has shown on his two stars that he is progressing very nicely. The fact that Cox trains this talented horse will also be important, as the trainer looks to finally win a Triple Crown race.
Mandaloun
There will be two standout picks in the ante-post market from the Cox yard, as there is a strong indication that Mandaloun could be set for a big season in contention for the Triple Crown events.
The three-year-old has been more consistent that Caddo River throughout his career to this point, as he has already won two of the three races that he has been involved in. His first career win came at Churchill Down, as he won by one and a quarter lengths from Twilight Blue.
He could only finish second on his next start at Fair Grounds, but he returned to winning ways in his most recent run on the track at Fair Grounds in the middle of February.
On that occasion, he won convincingly by one and a quarter length from Proxy. He has proven to be hit and miss so far during his early career, but when he is at the top of his game, then he could be a solid chance to pick up the win at the Kentucky Derby.
There you have it, 3 early picks for May’s Kentucky Derby. If you fancy your chances in Kentucky Derby betting, click here to find how the current odds are lining up.
