Updated odds for the 2019 Kentucky Derby
We're hours away from the 145th installment of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Here's how the odds stack up as bettors prepare for the most exciting two minutes in sports:
| Post Number | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | War of Will | 18-1 |
| 2 | Tax | 30-1 |
| 3 | By My Standards | 20-1 |
| 4 | Gray Magician | 50-1 |
| 5 | Improbable | 9-2 |
| 6 | Vekoma | 18-1 |
| 7 | Maximum Security | 6-1 |
| 8 | Tacitus | 6-1 |
| 9 | Plus Que Parfait | 80-1 |
| 10 | Cutting Humor | 30-1 |
| 13 | Code of Honor | 12-1 |
| 14 | Win Win Win | 18-1 |
| 15 | Master Fencer | 80-1 |
| 16 | Game Winner | 7-2 |
| 17 | Roadster | 6-1 |
| 18 | Long Range Toddy | 30-1 |
| 19 | Spinoff | 25-1 |
| 20 | Country House | 30-1 |
| AE-21 | Bodexpress | 40-1 |
Odds via Westgate Superbook
The field saw a shake-up Wednesday when it was announced that Omaha Beach, the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby at 3-1, was scratched from the race due to an entrapped epiglottis. Then, Friday morning, 30-1 long shot Haikal became the second to withdraw because of an abscess in its left hoof. Bodexpress replaced Omaha Beach but no alternate was named for Haikal, leaving the field with 19 horses.
Omaha Beach was looking to become the seventh consecutive favorite to win the Derby. Following the scratch, oddsmakers pegged Game Winner to take the race at 4-1 odds.
With the changing of the field, a couple of horses have seen their odds shorten, including Maximum Security and Tacitus. The former comes into the Derby with four wins in four starts while the latter is another public betting darling led by veteran trainer Bill Mott.
Others have trended the opposite way leading up to the race, notably Tax (20-1 to 30-1), Plus Que Parfait (50-1 to 80-1), Cutting Humor (20-1 to 30-1), and Master Fencer (60-1 to 80-1).
Want to get up to speed on all the historical Kentucky Derby betting angles? Here's our guide released earlier this week.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.