Early 2022 Kentucky Derby Horse Racing Betting Odds and Analysis

2022 Kentucky Derby odds are out and although Corniche offering the lowest odds doesn’t surprise, a few things about the odds do surprise. In addition to Corniche, Jack Cristopher, Echo Zulu, Rattle and Roll, and Winning Map are the next choices based on odds. Check out the early list of Derby contenders, their odds, as well as an odds analysis. 

Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Kentucky Derby for Saturday, May 7. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Really Early 2022 Kentucky Derby Betting Preview

148th Kentucky Derby

  • When: Saturday, May 7, 2022
  • Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
  • Distance: 1 ¼ miles dirt
  • Condition: 3-year-olds
  • TV / Streaming: NBC / Peacock

2022 Kentucky Derby Early Odds

  • Corniche +1200
  • Jack Christopher +1400
  • Echo Zulu +2000
  • Rattle N Roll +2000
  • Winning Map +2000
  • Pinehurst +2500
  • Pappacap +2500
  • Tiz The Bomb +2500
  • Barossa +3000
  • Commandperformance +3000
  • Authorize +3000

Which is a better bet at this point? Corniche or Jack Cristopher?

Corniche is undefeated after 3 races. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner looks like the top play to win the 2022 Kentucky Derby.

However, there Corniche may not be a smart play. Churchill Downs must allow Bob Baffert to race his horses. Due to Medina Spirit’s drug positive in this year’s Derby, Baffert is banned from racing horses at Churchill for the next couple of years. 

The now deceased Medina Spirit may keep his Derby win, though, which means Churchill could lift the ban. But at the odds, it’s tough to back Corniche without knowing for sure if that happens.

Chad Brown trained Jack Christopher is the better bet. Not only is the Brown trainee undefeated like Corniche, but he may also be better bred to run the 1 ¼ mile classic distance. Brown has won the Preakness Stakes but never the Derby. Jack Christopher might be his best shot yet. 

What are the chances Steve Asmussen runs BC Juvenile Filly Champ Echo Zulu in the Derby?

Steve Asmussen trained Rachel Alexandra to a Preakness Stakes victory. Asmussen believes he’s got another Triple Crown race contender in BC Juvenile Fillies winner Echo Zulu.

But although Echo Zulu would compete in the Derby, Asmussen might wait until the Preakness, which is often a much easier race to win.

The key for Asmussen could be what Churchill decides to do with Baffert’s three-year-olds. If the powers that be continue with Bob’s suspension, Asmussen might run Echo Zulu in the Kentucky Derby. 

If not, Asmussen might wait for the Preakness. 

Which horse among Rattle N Roll, Winning Map, Pinehurst, Pappacap and Tiz The Bomb is the best Derby play?

Baffert trains Winning Map and Pinehurst. Right now, it’s impossible to back a Baffert horse to win the Derby because we don’t know what Churchill will do with his suspension.

Tiz the Bomb is a talented runner. But the Kenny McPeek trainee has done his best racing over grass. Sire Hit the Bomb produces top grass runners. So it’s doubtful McPeek switches surfaces just for the Derby.

Rattle N Roll, another McPeek trainee, won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity with an eye-catching move around the turn. The Connect sired runner may not have the breeding to get 1 ¼ miles, though. Also, McPeek doesn’t have a great record getting them ready to run for the roses. 

Among this group, Pappacap is the one to back. The odds make Pappacap an overlay. The Mark Casse trainee has finished second to Corniche in his last couple of his races, including a second in the BC Juvenile.

If the Baffert runners can’t go, Pappacap, unless he has a terrible winter, becomes second or third choice to win the Kentucky Derby. So at +2500 odds, the Gun Runner sired colt is the one to back. 

Which among Barossa, Commandperformance, or Authorize the best Kentucky Derby play at +3000 odds?

We can’t back Barossa because, like so many others on this list, he hails from the Bob Baffert barn. We can put money behind either Commandperformance or Authorize. 

Of the two, Commandperformance is the one to back. The talented, Union Rags sired grey went 4-wide around the first turn in the BC Juvenile. 

Commandperformance still managed to hang on for fourth. Trainer Todd Pletcher can get them ready for the Derby and the Repole Stable owned runner is bred to easily handle the 1 ¼ mile distance. Among the 30-to-1 shots, Commandperformance is the best play. 

 


 

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