Kentucky Derby Early Odds - Old Fashioned at 6 to 1

We’re a couple of weeks closer to the Kentucky Derby and the BetUS online racebook has adjusted odds to reflect the major contenders.

The sportsbook had to change the odds after Old Fashioned’s run in the Southwest Stakes. Sure, his Buyers Speed Figure wasn’t all that great, but he ran a quarter in 22 flat and then the half in 45. If he can build upon that, then forget it, this guy is the real deal.

Let’s analyze the top horses in the Kentucky Derby Power Rankings.

Kentucky Derby Power Rankings

1. Old Fashioned +600 - - It makes sense to take those odds right now if you believe he has any shot at all in the Derby. He’s looking more and more like his father every day. The Southwest Stakes was better than the speed rating indicates. He’s undefeated and should get better under the careful hand of trainer Larry Jones.

2. Pioneer of the Nile +1200 - - Bob Baffert’s top Derby contender won in fantastic fashion in his last race. His speed ratings are on the slow side as well, but that’s partly because he’s been running on synthetic surfaces. Pioneer of the Nile has a huge upside as a three-year old and the odds are very nice.

3. Dunkirk +800 - - Like Old Fashioned this fella was sired by Unbridled’s Song. His allowance win was very nice and he could develop into a terrific three year old but will he get the seasoning needed to take on 19 other horses in the Kentucky Derby? Trainer Todd Pletcher will have to work with this guy for a while before he’s ready for that challenge.

4. Evita Argentina (No Odds) - - If you believe a filly can win the Derby, then this is the gal to do it. Call BetUS Sportsbook customer service and ask them to post odds on this three year old gal that looked like Secretariat when beating down the boys in the San Vicente Stakes two weeks ago. She’ll be a player if she decides to go into the Derby instead of the Kentucky Oaks.

5. Midshipman +1600 - - He’s training in Dubai which could severely compromise his chances in the Kentucky Derby, but he is the champion 2-year old and, like Old Fashioned and Dunkirk, he was sired by Unbridled’s Song. That means he could be tough to handle if he gets the required work in before the Derby.

6. The Pamplemousse +2500 - - So, nobody really believes this guy has a shot? I mean, all he did was win going away in a very tough race. He also busted a fantastic work just the other day on the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita. We can’t forget this extremely talented colt.

7. Mayor Marv +3500 - - Bob Baffert’s second stringer looked great in taking down the Turf Paradise Derby this past weekend. He can improve just like Pioneer of the Nile but his odds are much nicer in the sportsbook.

8. Vineyard Haven +2500 - - He’s yet another Dubai colt that could either be a huge surprise in the Derby or just flounder and throw in the towel after a quarter mile. Godolphin has done this before, taken nice colts like Midshipman and Vineyard Haven and then train them in Dubai for the Derby. It’s never worked before, but then Vineyard Haven might be a special colt.