Kentucky Derby Picks, Tips, Expert Betting Predictions

2014 Kentucky Derby Pace Scenarios
by Trevor Whenham - 5/1/2014

When it comes to handicapping the Kentucky Derby, looking at the way the pace of the race is likely to set up is second in importance only to the pedigrees of the horses in my eyes. The race is so long and the field is so crowded that what separates the contenders from pretenders on race day is almost always their ability to stay out of trouble and get the trip they need. Handicappers, then, are smart to spend the time to look at how they think the race will play out and whether that gives each horse an advantage or a disadvantage.

2014 Kentucky Derby Post Positions: Handicapping and Analysis
by Robert Ferringo - 5/1/2014

There are generally very few winners in the Kentucky Derby post draw – only losers. However, Derby favorite California Chrome had a stellar day on Wednesday and has tightened his grip on the Horse To Beat title heading into this weekend’s big race.

Vinceremos Odds to Win the 2014 Kentucky Derby with Picks and Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 4/30/2014

I have previewed every horse in the Kentucky Derby field — and a couple that were supposed to run but were scratched. It is no coincidence at all that I left Vinceremos until last. I felt sure that the connections would realize what a total waste of time it was to run this horse here, and that they would move aside for a more fitting horse to enter. Here we are, though, and it doesn’t look like he is going anywhere.

2014 Kentucky Oaks Picks with Odds and Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 4/30/2014

The Kentucky Derby is obviously the race that everyone is talking about this weekend in Louisville. As has been the case with surprising frequency in recent years, though, the race with more top-end talent seems to be happening the day before. The Kentucky Oaks this year features a feared favorite and a pile of worthy contenders. If you aren’t familiar with the Oaks, you can basically think about it as the Derby for fillies. It isn’t a part of a filly Triple Crown like the Derby is, but it’s the biggest race of the year for three-year-old fillies.

2014 Kentucky Derby Live Long Shots
by Trevor Whenham - 4/29/2014

In a normal year I always am on the lookout for some value from a long shot or two to spice up my Kentucky Derby betting. This is far from a normal year. There is only one horse being viewed as a superstar this year, and I am far from convinced of the wisdom of jumping on the California Chrome bandwagon. On the other hand, there are whole lot of horses that leave us with plenty of questions but which seem capable of being a factor if they run their best race.

2014 Kentucky Derby Prop Bets and Futures Odds
by Dave Schwab - 4/29/2014

This Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville is the running of the 140th Kentucky Derby, which signals the start of the Triple Crown horse racing season for the country’s best three-year-old Thoroughbreds. This Grade I stakes race is on a dirt track over a distance of 1 ј miles with a total prize purse of $2 million. The “Run for the Roses” is often referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”.

Commanding Curve Odds to Win the 2014 Kentucky Derby with Picks and Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 4/28/2014

It’s took a while, but Commanding Curve has finally secured a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. He spent weeks sitting just outside of the Top 20 spot in the points standings required to enter the starting gate. With the defection of Ring Weekend on the Sunday before the race due to illness, though, Commanding Curve finally has the spot his connections have coveted.

Trainer Todd Pletcher in the 2014 Kentucky Derby
by Trevor Whenham - 4/28/2014

This is a story that gets updated and retold every year, but Todd Pletcher really brings it upon himself. For 364 days a year there is no better thoroughbred horse trainer in North America — and few in the world. He runs a massive stable with class, and he has tremendous success. Then there is the first Saturday in May. No guy has ever been better at getting horses into the field — or worse at turning those entrants into winners, or even strong contenders.

Kentucky Derby Trivia Questions and Answers
by Trevor Whenham - 4/25/2014

As has become a tradition, I have assembled some really tough Kentucky Derby Trivia questions and answers for you. If you get seven right, you really know your stuff. Be sure to check out Doc’s Sports daily leading up to the Kentucky Derby for the best free content on the Internet.

2014 Kentucky Derby Jockeys
by Trevor Whenham - 4/24/2014

They are the littlest men and women in professional sports, but there are no athletes any tougher, or more consistent willing to face serious risk, than the jockeys. In a race like the Kentucky Derby they are incredibly important. They need to avoid trouble in the frenzied start, weave through the immense amounts of traffic safely, and manage the finite resources of their horses as they tackle the brutal Derby distance. A good ride can elevate a horse, and a lousy ride has destroyed the Derby for many promising runners.

2014 Kentucky Derby Trainers
by Trevor Whenham - 4/24/2014

As is typically the case, the field this year for the Kentucky Derby offers a mix of established star trainers and unfamiliar names with interesting stories. Here’s a look at six of the most interesting Kentucky Derby trainer storylines. Be sure to check Doc’s Sports Kentucky Derby page daily leading up to the big race for the best content to help you beat your bookie for the Run for the Roses.

Chitu Odds to Win the 2014 Kentucky Derby with Picks and Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 4/24/2014

It has been a bit of a soap opera getting here, but it seems as if Chitu is finally headed for the spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate that he has earned. Bob Baffert has seemed unsure of what to do with this horse almost since he won the Sunland Derby last time out. First he was pointed at the Derby. Then that commitment seemed lukewarm at best. Then it was, rather strangely, announced that he was going to be run in the Derby Trial a week before the Derby, but that he would still come back for the Derby, though few seemed to believe that that was likely.

Ring Weekend Odds to Win the 2014 Kentucky Derby with Picks and Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 4/24/2014

I have held off on writing this article because I just didn’t think that Ring Weekend would wind up in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. Derby fever is an intense illness will only one cure, though, so it appears more and more likely that he will take the spot in the starting gate that he has earned.

Dance With Fate Odds to Win the 2014 Kentucky Derby with Picks and Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 4/23/2014

After more than 30 years of being obsessed with the Kentucky Derby, there is little about the race that surprises me anymore. I have to admit, though, that I am truly shocked to be writing this preview. I liked Dance With Fate heading into the Blue Grass Stakes, and his win was impressive, but I had absolutely no expectation that he would continue on to this race.

Uncle Sigh Odds to Win the 2014 Kentucky Derby with Picks and Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 4/23/2014

When the last of the prep races were done, Uncle Sigh was on the outside looking in — 21st on the list of Kentucky Derby points with only 20 starting spots. Thanks to injuries to Constitution and Cairo Prince and the defection of Midnight Hawk, though, he is now well within the top 20 and en route to the Derby starting gate.

Harry's Holiday Odds to Win the 2014 Kentucky Derby with Picks and Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 4/23/2014

When the prep races were over, Harry’s Holiday was well outside of the Top 20 in points and didn’t have a spot in the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby. The defections and injuries have been coming in bulk, unfortunately, and now he is ready to go.

Horses that can win the Kentucky Derby in 2014
by Trevor Whenham - 4/23/2014

How do you figure out which are the horses that can win the Kentucky Derby this year? Well, do you have a dart board? I have been obsessed with this race for more than 30 years, and I do not ever remember a flatter, more wide-open race. Outside perhaps of California Chrome, there are no superstars in this field. There have been some strong performances, and some real flashes of brilliance, but every horse has warts as well.

2014 Kentucky Derby Betting Tips and Wagering Advice
by Trevor Whenham - 4/22/2014

The Kentucky Derby is never an easy race to handicap. When it is as ridiculously wide-open as it is this year, though, handicapping it becomes an almost impossible task. To help you wade through the very murky picture this year to find the winners, here are five Kentucky Derby betting tips:

Female Jockeys in the Kentucky Derby 2014
by Trevor Whenham - 4/21/2014

There is an occurrence likely to happen in this year’s Kentucky Derby that is quickly becoming so commonplace that we hardly even need to talk about it. Of course, we’ll keep talking about female jockeys riding in the Kentucky Derby right up until the day that a woman wears roses on the first Saturday in May. The most likely woman to do so is again very likely to be the only woman riding in the race — Rosie Napravnik is scheduled to ride Louisiana Derby winner Vicar’s in Trouble in the biggest of races this year.

2014 Kentucky Derby Betting Trends
by Trevor Whenham - 4/21/2014

The Kentucky Derby is very difficult to handicap, and this year’s edition is shaping up to be much harder than usual. As we desperately seek the insights that will lead us to a winner, here is a look at some key 2014 Kentucky Derby trends that might help: