Kentucky Derby 2017: Odds, Prediction & Trifecta Pick

The 2017 Kentucky Derby is expected to be wide open. (Getty)

There are favorites in the 2017 Kentucky Derby but not strong favorites. The horses at the top of the odds all have their blemishes starting with the favorite Classic Empire.

Classic Empire was atop the odds but there is plenty not to like which has pushed him down to second. The horse has sustained injuries throughout the prep season including a foot abscess that sidelined him. There were also training sessions where he refused to train.

He is coming off an impressive performance in the Arkansas Derby where he found the Winner’s Circle to punch his ticket to Churchill Downs. The horse has a great pedigree and has been one of the favorites going back to the fall.

One horse Heavy is bullish on is Always Dreaming. The horse had a great performance in the Florida Derby winning the race comfortably over the field. The Florida Derby has produced the most Derby winners in recent years.

Always Dreaming has a strong jockey-trainer combo with John Velazquez-Todd Pletcher. Pletcher has only produced one Derby winner but has the second-most starts of any trainer in the history of the race with 43.

Irish War Cry is another horse to watch. He has won four of his last five races and is one of the fastest horses in the field. One sleeper horse Heavy expects to perform well is Hence. The horse has the speed to compete but does not have the benefit of winning a major prep race like the Florida or Arkansas Derby.

Here is Heavy’s guide if it is raining and there is a muddy track.

Check out Heavy’s breakdown of the top sleepers as well as our rankings of the contenders.

Kentucky Derby Odds

Here’s the latest odds courtesy of OddsShark along with our prediction for the top three horses. The horses with the greatest chance to win the race are listed at the top.

Heavy’s Trifecta Pick: 1. Always Dreaming 2. Irish War Cry 3. Hence

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