Kentucky Derby: Looks like another year without a horse at triple-digit odds

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Unless Gray Magician, Master Fencer, or Bodexpress achieve such a dubious distinction, this will be the 18th straight year that a Derby starter fails to reach as high as 99-1 on the toteboard – and there’s no way any of them will approach the Derby record for the highest odds.

Gray Magician and Master Fencer are the only two horses as high as 50-1 on the morning line. Bodexpress, a maiden who drew in as the lone also-eligible, is one of seven horses listed at 30-1 on the revised line.

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 102-1. Instilled Regard, fourth last year at 85-1, was sent away at the longest odds since It’sallinthechase ran 16th at 94-1 in 2002.

The longest shot in Derby history was A Dragon Killer, who finished seventh of 14 at a whopping 294-1 behind Tim Tam in 1958.

Derby bets for everyone

There’s the usual betting smorgasbord available to fans on the 14-race Saturday card, including four 50-cent pick fives (races 1-5, 4-8, 8-12, 10-14), four 50-cent pick fours (races 2-5, 5-8, 9-12, 11-14), a 20-cent Single 6 (races 7-12), a $1 Super High Five on the Derby (race 12), and the usual array of rolling doubles, pick threes, and all the vertical wagers.

Churchill is guaranteeing a $1.5 million pool on the pick five ending with the Derby and a $1 million pool for the Bourbon Double combining the Old Forester and the Derby.

Superfectas are normally available at 10-cent increments but not on Oaks and Derby Days, when a $1 minimum is in effect.