At the beginning of the week the top two favorites with the Kentucky Derby odds had a critical factor in common. Each of the chalks will be mounted by a world class jockey. For example, there is top choice Omaha Beach with Mike Smith aboard. Along the same lines is Game Winner with Joel Rosario. Yet other horses will be ridden by other great jockeys that have simply not quite attained Kentucky Derby levels of success. Each year on Derby Day one of the big questions is “who gets the mount?” It’s time to answer that critical question!
2019 Kentucky Derby
Date and Time: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
2019 Kentucky Derby Betting Odds at SBG: Omaha Beach 4/1, Game Winner 9/2, Improbable 5/1, Maximum Security 5/1, Roadster 5/1, Tacitus 8/1, Haikal 10/1, Long Range Toddy 12/1, Vekoma 12/1, Code of Honor 16/1, Spinoff 20/1, War of Will 20/1, Cutting Humor 25/1
2019 Kentucky Derby TV Coverage: NBC
Mike Smith Mounts Omaha Beach
Certainly, no jockey on Saturday will carry more Kentucky Derby odds cache than Mike Smith. Last year Smith not only won the Kentucky Derby but the Triple Crown itself aboard Justify. Smith has posted two career wins at the Kentucky Derby. Overall its hard to find a better body of work than Smith for his career. Among his accomplishments are four Breeders Cup Classic victories and induction into the Hall of Fame. At age 53 the native of Dexter, New Mexico has hit his prime.
Joel Rosario Aboard Game Winner
Dominican Republic native Joel Rosario has a strong body of sportsbook success in his own right. Initially at the age of 34 Rosario would still figure to have many years left to pad what is already a stellar resume. Included are wins at the Kentucky Derby, Dubai World Cup, Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders Cup Classic. Fashion Rosario’s over 2000 career wins.
Jose Ortiz Gives Tacitus Immediate Advantage
At the age of 25 Puerto Rico native Jose Ortiz has already put his stamp on thoroughbred racing as one of the top jockeys on Earth. As an example, he posted the top number of wins by any jockey in 2016. Following that was a 2017 Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey. Also, in 2017 did Ortiz rank first for total earnings. He has posted wins at the Belmont Stakes and Breeders Cup Juvenile. Correspondingly does such a winning record make gamblers look hard at Tacitus.
Rajiv Maragh To Ride Haikal
Late on Jamaican jockey Rajiv Maragh is another big-name jockey with a record of success. Maragh made his name at the New York tracks where he has posted several Grade one wins for his career. Most important of all Maragh came back from serious injury after a spill at Belmont Park to win Comeback Jockey of the Year honors in 2017.
Florent Geroux Rocks Roadster
Florent Geroux will get a serious shot at his first ever Kentucky Derby win aboard Santa Anita Derby winner Roadster. Consider Geroux was the winning jockey at the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Matchup to Watch
In this situation Game Winner offers the perfect combination for success with the Kentucky Derby Odds. Jockey Joel Rosario and trainer Bob Baffert combined with a top horse make for a strong bet.
Kentucky Derby Betting Odds Picks
Game Winner has it all and should wear the blanket of roses at the Winners Circle!
Kentucky Derby Betting Online Pick: Game Winner
Catch Game Winner taking the wire at the Breeders Cup Juvenile!