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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 05: Zandon during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 05, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by ANDY LYONS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

This Saturday, the biggest event in the sport of horse racing signals the beginning of the hunt for the Triple Crown. Below, we look at the odds for the 2022 Kentucky Derby and make our top picks. (Ready to wager? Check out our guide reviewing top Kentucky Derby betting sites.)

This weekend, 22 horses will explode from the gates at Churchill Downs in search of wearing the rose garland. Each of these horses has been carefully bred and trained to take part in this race and the two that follow. 

The Kentucky Derby is the single most bet horse race of the year. However, you won’t find odds on many of the most popular sportsbooks. Instead, you will have to turn to sites like TwinSpires.com, TVG.com, or Equibase.com. 

You can find the running positions of each of the horses competing as well as their odds on the official Kentucky Derby website.

Here are my outright picks for the 2022 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY.

Kentucky Derby Info

When: Saturday, May 7, 6:57 p.m. ET

Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY

How to watch: NBC, Peacock, NBASports.com

Length: 1 1/4 miles

Kentucky Derby Odds

Kentucky Derby Odds Analysis

Odds were released earlier this week after the post selection determined the starting positions for each horse. The selection saw a shift in the status of early favorite Epicenter. Before he was awarded the third post, he was heavily favored to win. Now, Zandon is the odds on favorite when it was announced that he would start from the 10th post.

At +300 (3-1), Zandon offers the shortest odds. Epicenter comes in at 7-2. Messier is the next closest at 8-1. Two horses, Mo Donegal and White Abarillo are 10-1. Tabia is the only horse listed at 12-1. The longer shots include five horses at 20-1 and 10 colts at 30-1.

Kentucky Derby Picks

Zandon (+300)Epicenter (+350)Tiz the Bomb (+3000)

SEE ALSO: Global Sports Betting Roundup

Who Will Win the Kentucky Derby?

Zandon (+300)

Zandon enters the Derby with only three races under his belt. The three-year-old colt recently weaved his way through late traffic to claim the win at the Blue Grass Stakes. His career began with a photo finish with Mo Donegal at the Remsen that ended with him losing by a nose. Zandon’s only other race saw him charge his way around the outside of the field late to collect a third-place finish.

He’s being ridden by jockey Flavien Prat. Prat is known for his win in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Of course, his horse, Country House, did not cross the finish line first. Instead, the race winner, Maximum Security, drifted up a lane on the final turn causing another horse to check up into the field. This interference led to Maximum Security’s disqualification and gave Prat the win. 

In his brief career, Zandon thrives on hanging back early in a race in order to make a late charge. He starts from the 10th post on Sunday, giving him the chance to do just that. Also worth noting, his starting position boasts the second most Kentucky Derby wins of all slots.

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Epicenter (+350)

Many figured Epicenter to be the favorite to win the Derby. Trainer Steve Asmussen leads all North American trainers in winning horses. Although, he has yet to win a Kentucky Derby. His horse has made six career starts. He has four wins and a second-place finish in those races. His worst finish came in his first outing which resulted in him crossing the finish in sixth place. 

The strategy for jockey Joel Rosario is simple; get to the front and stay there. In five of his six races, Epicenter has charged to the front in the opening stages and fought off all comers. This is in sharp contrast to his 2013 Kentucky Derby win atop Orb. Rosario kept his colt toward the back of the pack and made a late push for the win. 

Epicenter will leave the gates from the third post on Saturday, which plays a large part in his odds to win. Only 5.4% of all horses that have started from this post have gone on to win this race. That said, if any horse is fit to beat those odds, it’s Epicenter.

Tiz the Bomb (+3000)

Tiz the Bomb enters the Kentucky Derby on the heels of back-to-back wins. Last month, he won the Jeff Ruby Steaks in convincing fashion. In March, he powered to the front of the pack at the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes and held off Stolen Base for the win.

Overall, he has eight career starts dating back to May 14, 2021 at the main track at Churchill Downs. He has five victories in that time and won three in row at one point.

Past Kentucky Derby Winners

2021: Medina Spirit (disqualified)2020: Authentic (+800)2019: Country House (+3000)2018: Justify (+300)2017: Always Dreaming (+450)2016: Nyquist (+250)2015: American Pharoah (+300)2014: California Chrome (+250)2013: Orb (+550)2012: I'll Have Another (+1500)2011: Animal Kingdom (+2100)2010: Super Saver (+800)

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Kentucky Derby picks made on 5/4/2022 at 6:24 p.m. ET.

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