Kentucky Derby betting 2015: American Pharoah still atop odds

With convincing wins in each of his last two races and some good workouts of late, American Pharoah has emerged as the betting favorite leading up to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2. The bay colt is expected to be one of the top choices on race day.

American Pharoah is currently going off at 8/1 on the odds to win the Kentucky Derby at the sportsbooks. The horse's career got off to a shaky start in a disappointing maiden debut, but over his two races since American Pharoah has jumped out to an early lead and breezed by the competition against Grade 1 opponents. After being scratched from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile with a deep bruise back in November, some bettors were concerned about American Pharoah's health moving forward; but recent training workouts including a 1:12 2/5 six-furlong run indicate the favorite is good to go.

Another Bob Baffert horse expected to be a major contender in the Derby is Dortmund, who is going off at 12/1 on the 2015 Kentucky Derby betting lines. Sired by 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown, Dortmund has shown his pure talent right out of the gate with convincing wins in his maiden race and when stretched to a mile in his second race at Churchill Downs. Dortmund's good late kick should keep the horse in the race down the stretch.

Also firmly in the mix among the early favorites are Texas Red and Upstart, each going off at 12/1 at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Texas Red has established himself as a true closer, routinely getting off to poor starts before closing strong and making up tons of ground. The colt made a strong push to finish third behind American Pharoah and Calculator in the Frontrunner Stakes, and closed the field out for a win as a 14/1 underdog in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Upstart seemingly had a win at the Fountain of Youth Stakes recently, but was disqualified after a review showed his jockey interfered with Itsaknockout, who moved into first place.

Other potential contenders to win the Kentucky Derby include Carpe Diem, Itsaknockout and Khozan, each at 16/1, and then Competitive Edge, Daredevil, Far From Over and International Star at 20/1 each. Calculator was expected to be a contender in the Derby, but will miss the Triple Crown race with an injury.