Zandon has been tabbed the favorite at 3-1 odds following Monday's post-position draw for Saturday's 148th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
The Derby, which will feature 20 of the top 3-year-old horses in the world, will be run on the dirt at 1 1/4 miles, is the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes, held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, is exactly two weeks after the Derby and followed by the Belmont Stakes on June 11 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Longtime Derby oddsmaker Mike Battaglia made Zandon the morning-line favorite after he drew the No. 10 post. The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner fought through bad traffic and a potentially troubled trip to win the Grade I event going away at Keeneland Race Course last month. Jockey Flavian Prat will be in the irons.
Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter was installed as the second betting choice at 7-2 odds. The son of Loaban drew the No. 3 spot in the starting gate for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who's seeking his first Derby win in his decorated career.
Other notable contenders with betting value: No. 5 Smile Happy (20-1); No. 7 Crown Pride (20-1); No. 8 Charge It (20-1); No. 12 Taiba (12-1); and, No. 16 Cyberknife at 20-1 odds.
There was one noteworthy defection prior to the draw, with Rebel Stakes winner Un Ojo being withdrawn from the field. Trainer Rocky Courville said the horse is dealing with a bruised left front foot after Saturday's workout, sending to the son of Laoban to the sideline. Un Ojo, who won the Risen Star at 75-1 odds, only has one eye after suffering a paddock accident as a yearling.
Action Network handicapper Jeremy Pond and TVG analyst Andie Biancone have provided in-depth coverage the entire Derby prep season and will be delivering their insight leading up to the "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports," with another Derby champion will be crowned this weekend in Kentucky.
That said, let's take a look at the full field, connections and current odds.
2022 Kentucky Derby Odds
| POST POSITION | HORSE | ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mo Donegal | 10-1 |
| 2 | Happy Jack | 30-1 |
| 3 | Epicenter | 7-2 |
| 4 | Summer Is Tomorrow | 30-1 |
| 5 | Smile Happy | 20-1 |
| 6 | Messier | 8-1 |
| 7 | Crown Pride | 20-1 |
| 8 | Charge It | 20-1 |
| 9 | Tiz The Bomb | 30-1 |
| 10 | Zandon | 3-1 |
| 11 | Pioneer Of Medina | 30-1 |
| 12 | Taiba | 12-1 |
| 13 | Simplification | 20-1 |
| 14 | Barber Road | 30-1 |
| 15 | White Abarrio | 10-1 |
| 16 | Cyberknife | 20-1 |
| 17 | Classic Causeway | 30-1 |
| 18 | Tawny Port | 30-1 |
| 19 | Zozos | 20-1 |
| 20 | Ethereal Road | 30-1 |
