The 147th Run for the Roses at the Kentucky Derby will occur on May 1st, 2021, at the renowned Churchill Downs racetrack. The derby will feature the top 20 qualifying horses in the world battling for a top prize of USD 3 million.
Each year the top 20 horses from the Road to the Kentucky Derby points series are selected to compete in the first leg of the triple crown. This year a trainer from Kentucky, Brad H. Cox, sits on top of the leader board with his horse Essential Quality.
Road To Kentucky Derby Points Tally:
RANK – HORSE – POINTS
1) Essential Quality: 140
2) Hot Rod Charlie: 110
3) Super Stock: 109
4) Like the King: 104
5) Known Agenda: 102
6) Rock Your World: 100
7) Bourbonic: 100
8) Medina Spirit: 74
9) Midnight Bourbon: 66
10) Mandaloun: 52
11) Highly Motivated:50
12) Helium: 50
13) Soup and Sandwich: 40
14) Dynamic One: 40
15) Sainthood: 40
16) Hidden Stash: 32
17) O Besos: 25
18) King Fury: 20
19) Keepmeinmind: 18
20) Brooklyn Strong: 10
No trainer from Louisville, Kentucky, has ever won the derby, according to CBS Sports. If Essential Quality does win the derby, Brad Cox will make history and notch his first Kentucky Derby win.
However, one of the factors that make the Kentucky Derby the most exciting two minutes in sports each year is that every horse has its day, and the race could be determined by several factors, including gate position, weather, and more.
The 2021 post-position draw is scheduled to occur on April 27th, at 11 am EST. The post-position draw is important to racers and bettors alike as some gate numbers have been historically good or bad, depending on the draw. Historically gate 5 has been the most prosperous with ten total derby wins, and gate 17 has been the less fruitful with 0 derby wins, according to The Athletic.
Betting on the Kentucky Derby can be achieved in several different ways depending on where you live and how you choose to bet. While on-track-betting has always reigned supreme for derby fans, it is essential to note the new sports betting options available to Americans in the post-PASPA era.
18 and over online sportsbooks offer Kentucky Derby odds, futures, and matchups. Currently, before the post-position draw, the odds for the derby at the Bovada sportsbook are:
Kentucky Derby 2021 Winner –
Essential Quality +315
Rock Your World +450
Known Agenda +700
Hot Rod Charlie +800
Highly Motivated +1000
Medina Spirit +1400
Mandaloun +2200
Midnight Bourbon +2200
Soup And Sandwich +2500
Super Stock +2500
O Besos +3300
Bourbonic +4000
King Fury +4500
Dynamic One +5000
Helium +5000
Sainthood +5000
Brooklyn Strong +5500
Like The King +6600
Hidden Stash +7000
Keepmeinmind +7000
Once the gate position is drawn, these odds will change; however, Essential Quality will probably remain on top of the odds boards due to their points lead, but depending on the draw, the odds might go up or shoot way down. When betting on futures, bettors typically get the best odds when they bet early.
Bob Baffert 2021 Horses
Bob Baffert rose to the elite trainer level after winning his sixth Kentucky Derby in 2020 with his horse Authentic. Baffert’s 6th win solidifies his legacy as a Derby legend trainer as he is now tied with Ben A Jones for most derby wins (trainer).
Baffert has produced 12 podium horses at the Kentucky Derby (6 winners), 7 Preakness Stakes winners, and 3 Belmont winners in his time on the track. He has also trained two different triple crown winners: (2015) American Pharoah and (2020) Authentic.