Down The Stretch And Betting The 2021 Kentucky Derby

The 2021 Kentucky Derby has arrived for the first Saturday in May. The post position and odds were released Tuesday, and the favorite Essential Quality was posted as a prohibitve favorite at 2/1, and will probably be bet down even more. “Mattress Mack” is expected to make a record Kentucky Derby bet of at least $2 million to win on Essential Quality.

Post -Horse	Odds	Post – Horse	Odds
1- Known Agenda	6–1	11 – Dynamic One	20-1
2 – Like the King	50-1	12 – Helium	50-1
3 – Brooklyn Strong	50-1	13 – Hidden Stash	50-1
4 – Keepmeinmind	50-1	14 – Essential Quality	2–1
5 – Sainthood	50-1	15 – Rock Your World	5–1
6 – O Besos	20-1	14 – King Fury	20-1
7 – Mandaloun	15-1	17 – Highly Motivated	10–1
8 – Medina Spirit	15-1	18- Super Stock	30-1
9 – Hot Rod Charlie	8–1	19 – Soup and Sandwich	30-1
10 – Midnight Bourbon	20-1	20 – Bourbonic	30-1

Six of the last eight Kentucky Derby winners were post time favorites, and 7-of-8 favorites crossed the finish line first, as Maximum Security was disqualified in the controversial 2019 Kentucky Derby. But recall, last year’s 3/5 heavy favorite Tiz the Law finished second in the 2020 Kentucky Derby.

2021 Kentucky Derby Race Information

• Date: Saturday, May 1, 2021
• Time: 6:57 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC Sports Network
• Tablet, Online, Mobile: NBC Sports App and streamed live on NBCsports.com/live
• Track & Location: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
• Distance: 1 ¼ miles (10 furlongs)
• Surface: Dirt
• Horses: 3-Year-Old Thoroughbreds
• Track Record: Secretariat – 1:59.40 in 1973

Kentucky Derby Longshots

I provided an article and insight on 3 longshots in my coverage for Forbes.

• Dynamic One
• Midnight Bourbon
• O Besos

I’ve since got on the saddle of King Fury as a longshot, and discussed each horse with my colleagues at TheLines in a Kentucky Derby Podcast.

More updates and coverage coming, as this page is updated prior to the race on Saturday, May 1.

Kentucky Derby Betting Guide

In the Kentucky Derby Betting Guide, I provide some insight on each of the 20 horses running in the 2021 Kentucky Derby.

Three notable favorites were taken out of the Kentucky Derby in the past month – Concert Tour, Life is Good and Greatest Honour. I covered them and more in an earlier Forbes article, and included William Hill fixed odds on Derby runners that can now be compared from two weeks ago.  I bet Known Agenda and Dynamic One to win at longer odds previously, and will bet Rock Your World and include him on top of verticals and in horizontal wagers as well.

Horse Workouts Tracker and News

Follow how the Derby horses have been training over the Churchill Downs track. More power rankings, strategy and longshots, plus a Kentucky Derby cheat sheet that has key late racing times and indicators for identifying a potential Derby winner. All part of the Kentucky Derby coverage I chip-in for at TheLines.

Horse Racing Handicappers and Picks

I receive information for my media coverage from proven and respected horse handicappers. I’ll update more as I complete coverage. Horse Racing Nation‘s Super Screener has these ‘Super 7‘ horses that are the top-7 horses based on its rankings, and meet specific Screener criteria and proven profiles. The top -4 below are the Super Screener top win contenders.

• Highly Motivated (Top Value)
• Essential Quality (Top Board Hitter)
• Rock Your World
• Known Agenda (Top Board Hitter)
• Soup and Sanwich (Top Longshot)
• Hot Rod Charlie
• Median Spirit

Also, other Top Longshots include Dynamic One, O Besos and Super Stock. Other board hitters include Hot Rod Charlie, Medina Spirit and Midnight Bourbon. Other updates can change leading to race day.

Check out the Kentucky Derby match-ups offered at William Hill and other sportsbooks. I provide head-to-head horse match-up picks, odds and added insight in my update at OSGA.

Be sure to follow Top Race Reports and the ECHR and WCHR, along with Horse Racing Radar and the Guaranteed Tip Sheet plus FBWinners. They all chip-in with horse racing insight and information for my coverage. I’ve also been a contributor and receive information from TwinSpires and TVG, which is part of the FanDuel Group racing coverage.