SportsTips’ Way Too Early Best Bets For The 2021 Kentucky Derby

SportsTips’ Way Too Early Best Bets For The 2021 Kentucky Derby
Thu 19th November 2020

The 2021 Kentucky Derby will be the 147th running of one of the most prestigious horse races in world. Following the postponement of the 146th meet until September of 2020, the Churchill Downs will once again host the historic race in May of 2021. 

Here are our best bets to win the 2021 Kentucky Derby six months out: 

Best Bet To Win

Essential Quality

2021 Kentucky Derby Odds: +1200
Age: 2-year-old Colt
Results: 3 Wins From 3 Starts

Now a perfect 3-for-3, Essential Quality has recently claimed early favouritism for the 2021 Kentucky Derby after a victory at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile earlier this month. The winner of the Breeders’ Cup does not always translate into Kentucky Derby success, with Nyquist the last horse to win both the Juvenile and the Derby back in 2015.

However, trainer Brad Cox believes that “the sky’s the limit for this colt”. Given that the Churchill Downs is his home track, Essential Quality is our current best bet for the 2021 Kentucky Derby if he makes the starting gate.

Jackie’s Warrior

2021 Kentucky Derby Odds: +2000
Age: 2-year-old Colt
Results: 4 Wins From 5 Starts

Prior to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile earlier this month, Jackie’s Warrior was the favourite to take out the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Jackie’s Warrior entered the Juvenile as the favourite to win with four wins from four starts, before finishing fourth after chasing a hot pace up front.

Relinquishing Derby favouritism to Essential Quality. Despite a poor run in the Breeder’s Cup, Jackies Warrior owns the top two Beyer Speed Figures among all 2-year-olds, and is the only juvenile clocking a triple-digit (100) Beyer. A great young horse, certain to remain amongst Derby favouritism for the time being.

Best Value Bet To Win

Hot Rod Charlie

2021 Kentucky Derby Odds: +5000
Age: 2-year-old Colt
Results: 1 Win & 2 Places From 5 Starts

Hot Rod Charlie was one of the great surprises of the Breeders’ Cup. With odds of 140-1 on the Derby futures sheet prior to the Juvenile, the 2 year old colt finished second as the longest shot in that race, resulting in his Derby odds plummeting into top 10 contention.

Prior to that, Hot Rod Charlie won his first career race at Santa Anita. Trainer Doug O’Neill has already trained two Kentucky Derby winning horses with I’ll Have Another and Nyquist, and may have a third champion on his hands with Hot Rod Charlie.

Take a look at the current field favourites for the 2021 Kentucky Derby:

Essential Quality (+1200)
Jackie’s Warrior (+2000)
Freedom Fighter (+3500)
Get Her Number (+4000)
Keepmeinmind (+4000)
Reinvestment Risk (+4000)
Sittin On Go (+4000)
Speilberg (+4000)
Calibrate (+5000)
Dr. Shivel (+5000)
Hot Rod Charlie (+5000)
Cazadero (+6600)
Founder (+6600)
Jaxon Traveler (+6600)
Prisoner (+6600)

*Odds correct at time of publication.

Are you interested in finding out more on the latest information on horse racing? Then make sure you visit our horse racing page we’ve got all the details you need!

Image by: PandamicPhoto.com

Jesse is and always has been a lover of sports. No matter the league, no matter the game, Jesse is constantly keeping up to date with the latest odds, news, injuries and stats. He has a strong interest in the NBA and the NFL, and he will always strive to keep you up to date with the best news, odds, predictions and picks that the ever engaging sporting world has to offer.