Nyquist is the favorite to win the 142nd Kentucky Derby. (Getty)
Editor’s note: The odds below are courtesy of Heavy’s partners at OddsShark. Click here for more horse racing odds and betting info at OddsShark.com.
The oddsmakers like Nyquist to find the Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs. Nyquist enters the Kentucky Derby with momentum on his side.
He emerged as the favorite after a dominant performance in the Florida Derby. Nyquist traveled across the country and beat an undefeated Mohaymen on his home track. He enters the Derby a perfect 7-0.
Exaggerator is next in line in the odds and comes off a Santa Anita Derby victory where he posted a 103 Beyer. Nyquist has already faced Exaggerator and defeated him all three times.
After his disappointing Florida Derby performance, Mohaymen is third in the odds. Mohaymen’s trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has said coming out of the 9 post along with the horse’s first experience on a wet track played a role in Mohaymen’s poor result. They are looking towards a bounce back performance in Saturday’s race.
Here’s a look at the latest Kentucky Derby odds along with Heavy’s prediction for the race:
Odds
Horses are listed by their post position. The odds are courtesy of OddsShark.
| Pos. | Horse/Odds |
| 1. | Trojan Nation (66-1) |
| 2. | Suddenbreakingnews (20-1) |
| 3. | Creator (12-1) |
| 4. | Mo Tom (22-1) |
| 5. | Gun Runner (9-1) |
| 6. | My Man Sam (20-1) |
| 7. | Oscar Nominated (66-1) |
| 8. | Lani (28-1) |
| 9. | Destin (14-1) |
| 10. | Whitmore (18-1) |
| 11. | Exaggerator (15-2) |
| 12. | Tom’s Ready (40-1) |
| 13. | Nyquist (3-1) |
| 14. | Mohaymen (8-1) |
| 15. | Outwork (16-1) |
| 16. | Shagaf (28-1) |
| 17. | Mor Spirit (14-1) |
| 18. | Majesto (33-1) |
| 19. | Brody’s Cause (14-1) |
| 20. | Danzing Candy (20-1) |
Prediction
Based on his Beyer number, Exaggerator could be the fastest horse in the field. It is hard to get past the fact that Exaggerator has had three shots at Nyquist and has failed to get past him in any of the races.
All Mohaymen needed to do was win the Florida Derby to head to Churchill Downs as the favorite. Not only did he lose, but Nyquist torched him in the race.
While Mohaymen is still a talented horse, we are steering clear of him on Saturday. The skepticism is due to a combination of his poor showing in Florida along with word coming out that the team has been trying to get the horse to add weight.
There are plenty of options if you are looking for longshot horses. Click here to check out Heavy’s top sleepers for the race.
Nyquist has been too impressive in the Derby prep races and the Beyer numbers show he has plenty of speed to get it done on Saturday. We like Nyquist to go 8-0 and win at Churchill Downs.
We see Exaggerator having a solid performance but being edged out by Nyquist for the fourth straight time. Danzing Candy is our darkhorse in third position. He will start the race off in a blaze of speed but will be unable to keep the pace as he finishes third.
Heavy’s Pick: 1. Nyquist 2. Exaggerator 3. Danzing Candy