Kentucky Derby: Even longest longshot won't be 100-1

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It’s been 21 years since a Derby starter was 99-1 on the Churchill toteboard, and it appears unlikely that drought will end this year.

Maybe Rich Strike would reach triple-digit odds if he was to somehow draw into the race as No. 21 before the Friday morning scratch deadline, but otherwise it seems unlikely any of the other 20 starters will reach that threshold. Without Rich Strike, maybe the longest shot will be Summer Is Tomorrow, although Happy Jack, Pioneer of Medina, and Ethereal Road also should be big numbers.

The last time a Derby starter was triple-digit odds was 2001, when Startac ran 10th at 102-1 and Arctic Boy was 12th at 101-1.

One thing is certain: The record for highest Derby odds is safe once again. A horse named A Dragon Killer was an astronomical 294-1 when finishing seventh behind Tim Tam in the 1958 Run for the Roses.