The Kentucky Derby will take place the first Saturday of May, and as usual the annual "Run for the Roses" offers up a handful of contenders. Uncle Mo will be the likely favorite heading into this year's Derby but there are several alternatives to choose from aside from Uncle Mo.
Betting the favorite at the Kentucky Derby is never a good move. The 20-horse field is a tough field to move through and the favorite rarely receives much help heading into the first turn. The best horses to take a look at will be horses with odds in the 10-1 to 20-1 range.
There are three horses that should fall right into these odds – Mucho Macho Man, Toby's Corner and Shackleford. They are likely to go off in the range mentioned above, but even if they are bet down below 10-1 they will still be the best bets on the board. Let the betting public hammer Uncle Mo. He will still be running when the winner crosses the line.
Shackleford
The Dale Roman's trained Shackleford will likely go off in the 20-1 range but this horse is working out well on the Churchill Downs track. Shackleford came to the forefront when he went off at 68-1 in the Florida Derby and led from the outset only to be bested by a fast-closing Dialed In.
Shackleford will be out to set the pace for the Kentucky Derby and post position will be a contributing factor to how well Shackleford breaks out of the gate and runs the front stretch heading into turn one. Jesus Castanon is expected to be aboard. This is Castanon's Kentucky Derby debut but this is no reason to count him out.
Mucho Macho Man
Mucho Macho Man is workman-like horse that may do well on this track. He performed in his latest workout on a sloppy Churchill Downs and was steady and solid. Rajiv Maragh will be in the stirrups for the Kentucky Derby and although he is not a very accomplished rider he may be the perfect fit on Mucho Macho Man.
This is not Maragh's first go round and he is gaining respect among trainers in the paddock. Maragh replaced Calvin Borel on Mine That Bird in the Woodward last fall and has nabbed other key rides in recent years. His mount on Mucho Macho Man is an opportunity that may shoot him into the upper echelon.
Toby's Corner
Toby's Corner's last work was May 1 in Maryland before he shipped to Churchill Downs. Toby's Corner will be a good bet in the exotics and he is also a possible good long shot bet to win if his price exceeds 20-1. Eddie Castro will be up on Toby's Corner for the Kentucky Derby.
Castro has never won a Triple Crown race but his best win came in the Breeder's Cup Mile in 2006. Castro has special ties with Churchill Downs. He captured his 1,000 win in the shadows of the twin spires in 2006.
Todd Jacobs - Todd Jacobs is a freelance writer with publishing credits including USA Today, Orange County Register and Speed TV.
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