The Kentucky Derby is one of the biggest events in not only horse racing, but in the world of sports as a whole. Some may even argue that there’s no bigger horse race in all of North America. Regardless, it’s hard to imagine someone who hasn’t heard of the spectacle.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, May 1 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Fans are also happy that the Kentucky Derby is back to happening on time, as last year’s event was delayed until September because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One thing that can add some extra excitement to an already exciting event is sports betting. Bettors around the world love horse racing in general, but there’s just something special about the Kentucky Derby that makes people love putting a little extra money on the line.
With that being said, Bovada has released their Kentucky Derby odds. Unless something changes, they’re leaning towards Essential Quality at +275 odds. The colt will be coming out of the No. 14 spot, but some are wondering if that might work against him. That spot has only produced two winners in the past, so we’ll have to see if that trend continues this year.
Essential Quality is a perfect 5-0 in his early racing career. He’s been successful at Churchill Downs in the past, winning the Maiden Special Weight as a two-year-old back in September. Since then, he’s been unstoppable and has most recently won the Blue Grass Stakes by a neck at the beginning of April. A lot of eyes will be on him to see how he performs this weekend.
Odds to Win 2021 Kentucky Derby
Odds via Bovada as of Wednesday, April 28
- Essential Quality (+275)
- Rock Your World (+450)
- Known Agenda (+800)
- Hot Rod Charlie (+800)
- Highly Motivated (+1000)
- Medina Spirit (+1400)
- Mandaloun (+2200)
- Midnight Bourbon (+2200)
- Soup and Sandwich (+2500)
- O Besos (+2500)
- Super Stock (+2500)
- King Fury (+4000)
- Bourbonic (+4000)
- Dynamic One (+4000)
- Sainthood (+4500)
- Helium (+5000)
- Brooklyn Strong (+5500)
- Like The King (+6600)
- Keepmeinmind (+7000)
- Hidden Stash (+7000)
Can Rock Your World Win 2021 Kentucky Derby?
Another colt who has some of the better odds to win the Kentucky Derby is Rock Your World (+450). He’s also undefeated in his young career, having won each of the three races he’s competed in. He’s coming off of a victory at the Santa Anita Derby on April 3, having won the event by 4 1⁄4 lengths over the favorite at the time, Medina Spirit (+1400). Rock Your World’s jockey, Joel Rosario, has experience at Churchill Downs, having won the Kentucky Derby before back in 2013.
Rock Your World will be racing from the No. 15 spot, which has produced six winners in the past.
Known Agenda Remains Another Favorite
He may not have the top odds to win, but Known Agenda still has a good shot at winning the Kentucky Derby (+800). His trainer, Todd Pletcher, has said that he thinks the Kentucky Derby is perfect for the stallion because he doesn’t feel like there are any distance issues here. Known Agenda is also coming off of an impressive victory at the Florida Derby on March 27. The margin of victory for that race was 2 3⁄4 lengths.
Known Agenda will be racing out of the No. 1 spot, which has yielded an impressive eight winners in the past.
