Kentucky Derby 2021: Will we see 99-1 on the toteboard?

Will a Derby horse be 99-1?

Horses sent off in the Kentucky Derby at 99-1 or higher have seemingly become extinct despite an expansion from 14 to 20 betting interests in 2001 – which also happened to be the last time any horse was sent away at triple-digit odds. Startac was 10th at 102-1 and Arctic Boy was 12th at 101-1 behind the victorious Monarchos that year.

Even with just 12 betting interests (so limited through stable entries and a mutuel field), huge prices were commonplace in the Derbies of yesteryear. The biggest odds on any Derby runner remains A Dragon Killer, seventh at a whopping 294-1 behind Tim Tam in 1958.

This year, with six Derby runners listed at 50-1 on the morning line, perhaps Like the King or Brooklyn Strong will wind up as the longest shot in the field of 20 – although it seems doubtful once again they will approach the 99-1 threshold.

◗ Bettors are reminded that there are no 10-cent superfectas available on any Churchill races this weekend. The minimum increment is $1.