2021 Kentucky Derby: Updated Odds For The Field

The Kentucky Derby is back in a big way.

After being postponed until September last year due to coronavirus precautions, the Derby is back to its traditionally scheduled slot of the first Saturday in May. The race has an approximate post time of 6:57 p.m. ET and will be televised on NBC.

The field is also once again loaded after only 15 horses competed in the Run for the Roses in 2020. There are now 19 competitors set to hit the expanded starting gate this time around, a packed field full of Triple Crown hopefuls.

Essential Quality is the favorite to claim victory at Churchill Downs, getting 6-5 odds to hit the winner’s circle. It’s hardly a shock to see Essential Quality as nearly an odds-on favorite here, given he’s already won a pair of Grade I races—the Breeders’ Futurity Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile—and is coming off a narrow win at the Blue Grass Stakes earlier this month.

While the undefeated three-year old has been impressive in all of his five previous races, he’ll be facing the stiffest competition of his short career on Saturday.

There are a handful of other entrants capable of pulling off a Kentucky Derby win, a group that includes Rock Your World (9-2), Hot Rod Charlie (7-1), Midnight Bourbon (15-1) and Known Agenda (16-1). Although these horses may not have the pedigree of Essential Quality—he’s from Tapit, one of the most consistent leading sires in recent years—they all could make some noise during the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.

Known Agenda in particular is one of the hottest horses in the sport right now, securing a key win at the Florida Derby last month. It was the second consecutive victory for the Todd Pletcher-trained colt and third overall in six entries. Known Agenda has only failed to place a single time, coming in fifth during a disappointing run at Tampa Bay Downs in early February. He’s since bounced back nicely and is peaking at the right time.

Check back on Saturday afternoon for a full betting breakdown of the 2021 Kentucky Derby, courtesy of pro handicapper Jon Price of SportsInformationTraders.com. In the meantime, check out the complete field, post positions and updated odds for the Run for the Roses.