Kentucky Derby 2012 Picks: Since Wednesday’s post draw, Bob Baffert’s Bodemeister has surged to the favorites position earlier held by Union Rags. Odds makers were prepared quickly installing Bodemeister as top favorite for the first morning line. Nothing has changed since then as Bodemeister is still listed 4/1 favorite for Saturday morning. If Bodemeister has a day like he had in the Arkansas Derby back on April 14th, it could be a bad day for the field. Bodemeister earned a 108 Beyer from that race while dominating the 1 1/8 mile lap race winning by 9 1/2 lengths. Get Free Horse Racing Picks.
Union Rags trainer Michael Matz who last won with Barbaro in 2006 hopes for a second Derby win coming off 9/2 Horse Racing Odds. Union Rags will be beneath jockey Julien Leparoux who will be looking for his first Derby win, but has three Breeders Cup victories. Union Rags was defeated his last time out finishing third in the Grade-1 Florida Derby behind winner Take Charge Indy, ridden by Calvin Borel. Gate-3 was the lucky gate for Borel and Take Charge Indy at Florida, the same gate draw he gets for the Derby. Take Charge Indy is a good value under Borel from the 3-post at 10/1 odds.
Creative Cause will start from the 8th post, a great draw for trainer Mike Harrington and jockey Joel Rosario. The colt finished second at Grade-1 Santa Anita Derby behind I’ll Have Another, ridden by Mario Gutierrez. Creative Cause has a great chance to finish in the money with a post advantage over Bodemeister and Union Rags on his inside. Following the draw, Creative Cause was installed coming off at 12/1 Horse Racing Odds while Doug O’Neil trained I’ll Have Another is at 12/1 from No. 19.
Todd Pletcher was a happy man drawing Gate 15 for his speed horse Gemologist. Pletcher’s colt is installed at 6/1 morning line on the outside of Hansen, listed at 10/1 from No. 14. Dullahan, trained by Dale Romano was looking to avoid a far outside draw and got it with No. 5. This is a great spot for the Blue Grass Stakes winner and odds makers agree listing him at 8/1.
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My personal favorites for the race are:
1 Bodemeister
2 Gemologist
3 Take Charge Indy
4 Creative Cause
5 Hansen
