A panel of three Post betting experts has been assembled to share their top predictions for Saturday’s 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Early coverage of the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown will be available on Peacock beginning at noon ET. NBC will then broadcast the main coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Post time is approximately 6:57 p.m. ET.
Vic Cangialosi
New York Post racing handicapper
1. Emerging Market: Got fresh legs?
Can trainer Chad Brown finally win the Kentucky Derby with a horse that has just two lifetime starts? Brown has been denied nine times.
This colt is 2-for-2 after rallying furiously to win the Louisiana Derby. No doubt Market has emerged and is considered a top contender. But is the Run for the Roses too much, too fast? We think not.
Finished full of run at a similar distance in the Louisiana. One of many closers in the field, but he’s the only horse who has Flavien Prat on his back.
2. Danon Bourbon: Took heat from Post readers for putting him second in Friday’s analysis.
Born in Kentucky, raised in Japan, where he won all three of his starts, including a handy ‘W’ at the distance.
The readers may be right, but this is a wide-open Derby and he offers fair, if not extreme, value for a horse that hasn’t lost.
Will we get “I told you so” mail after the race or “I stand corrected?”
3. Commandment: The Cardiac Kid.
Won the Fountain of Youth and the Florida Derby by a neck and a nose, respectively. Obviously he knows where the finish line is.
Can he and rider Luis Saez outkick my top pick, Emerging Market? Either way, remember: Thou shalt not leave Commandment out of your exotic wagering.
Michael Leboff
New York Post sports betting writer
1. Chief Wallabee: Was dealt a nightmare trip in the Florida Derby and still managed to finish within a half-length of Derby contenders Commandment and The Puma.
He will love the fast conditions and the pace setup.
2. Danon Bourbon: The Japanese invader ran an eye-popping race at the Fukuryu Stakes, and has looked like a monster in his workouts.
Maybe one of the most talented horses in this field, no matter where he’s from.
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3. Further Ado: Plenty of experience on the Churchill Downs dirt and a horse that has shown the ability to adapt to any kind of race.
Hard to envision a scenario where Further Ado isn’t involved down the stretch.
Matt Ehalt
New York Post sports betting editor
1. Renegade: Mike Repole’s horse does not have a good draw with the rail, but the favorite has the pedigree to emerge as the winner from that unenviable spot and perhaps lessen the blow from his beloved Johnnies losing to Duke in the Sweet 16.
2. Chief Wallabee: Last year’s winner, Sovereignty, had the same jockey-trainer combination in Junior Alvarado and Bill Mott, so there are some good vibes with this pairing.
3. Emerging Market: While the Derby marks just the third race for Emerging Market and history shows that’s not a great barometer for success, a strong pedigree and trainer Chad Brown make this horse an intriguing option with a potential strong payout.
