Betting on Kentucky Derby sees value in long-shot horses

California Chrome continues to get the early Kentucky Derby betting action, with the price of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) still heading south, which means betting odds on other Derby contenders are offering plenty of value.

In the latest Kentucky Derby betting odds released by Oddsshark, the betting price on California Chrome is now at 7-4, down from 2-1 last week and 3-1 the week before.

With a 20-horse field expected for the Run for the Roses, the colt is more likely going to be sent off at betting of odds between 5-2 and 7-2, and possibly as high as 4-1.

While the current price of 7-4 appears to be an underlay, there are other contenders that may be worth a look a week out from the big race. Two horses that burst on to the Derby scene late are sharing second choice honors at 8-1, Wicked Strong and Danza.

Wicked Strong is coming off a victory in the Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct, the surprise winner returning his backers $20.40 for a $2 wager. The colt is trained by James Jerkens and will be ridden again by Rajiv Maragh.

Danza pulled off one of the most improbable results in any of the Kentucky Derby preps we have seen this spring with his win in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. The colt snuck up the inside in the stretch and drew away to win by 4 ¾ lengths, paying $84.60 for a $2 wager.

The colt is trained by Todd Pletcher, who comes into this year’s race with a 1 for 36 mark in the Run for the Roses. His lone win came with Super Saver in 2010. The colt is currently listed at 8-1 in Derby future wagering.

Next in line in the betting is Vicar’s in Trouble at 10-1, who took the field gate to wire to win the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds in his last start on March 29. The colt bounced back off a third place finish behind Intense Holiday two back in the Risen Star (G2). The colt started his three-year-old campaign with a smart win in the Lecomte (G3).

The Bob Baffert trained Hoppertunity is currently listed at 14-1 in Derby betting. The colt ran second in the Santa Anita Derby, beaten 5 ¼ lengths by the early Kentucky Derby favorite.

Baffert will be seeking his fourth career win in the Run for the Roses and his first since saddling War Emblem in his upset victory in 2002. Baffert will also saddle Chitu, who won the Sunland Derby (G3) at Sunland Park. The colt is listed at 25-1.

Others that are offering some value include Wildcat Red at 16-1, who was beaten just a neck in the Florida Derby (G1) and Intense Holiday, who was second in the Louisiana Derby and is sitting at betting odds of 20-1.

Final entries and morning line odds will be released on Wednesday, April 30.