April Kentucky Derby Prep Races
It’s Heating Up in the US
Horse racing is about to get serious, especially for the Kentucky Derby aspirants.
April has two of the biggest Kentucky Derby prep races, including the Santa Anita Derby and Blue Grass Stakes this Saturday.
Some of the best runners with Kentucky Derby odds feature in April, with only a month until the big race.
Imagination Headlines SA Derby
The Bob Baffert-trained Imagination is the favorite for one of the biggest Kentucky Derby prep races.
The three-year-old is the -110 favorite to win the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, and that’s one of the best lead-up races for the May feature at Churchill Downs.
He comes off a win at Santa Anita in the San Felipe Stakes when beating Wine Me Up and Mc Vay.
“Today he showed some fight,” Baffert said. “He’s not a sprinter. I wasn’t really going to come back that quick, but I need to run these horses. If they’re doing well, you have to run these horses when you can. We’re trying to develop these horses, and so it was good for both of them. Wine Me Up ran tough.”
He meets Mc Vay on Saturday, who is a +900 chance, but based on what we have seen, Imagination should be winning one of the biggest races.
There has been steady betting support for Imagination with the Triple Crown races, despite not being an unbeaten runner.
It’s uncommon for a winner of only two from five starts to be a short favorite, but the Baffert factor plays a big part in betting markets.
2024 might not be a strong year for the Kentucky Derby contenders, but all eyes should be on the Santa Anita Derby.
Finding Diamonds in the Blue Grass
Sierra Leone is the current favorite for the Blue Grass Stakes, and his name could be featured among the Kentucky Derby results.
He hails from the powerful Chad Brown stable, and his win in the Risen Star is an excellent form guide with Kentucky Derby prep races.
The son of Gun Runner is a two-time winner from three starts. His only defeat came in the Remsen behind Dornoch, who is on the second line of betting for the Blue Grass Stakes this Saturday.
Dornoch has more experience with five starts, winning his last three. He also won the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream, so there could be value in his +275 odds to win.
There isn’t much between the first three favorites, which also includes Just a Touch, who wasn’t far behind Deterministic in the Gotham Stakes.
The Blue Grass isn’t always the best Kentucky Derby guide, but the winner will shorten with Derby betting markets.
It’s a must-see race and one of the biggest April prep races on the calendar.
Deterministic Tops Wood Memorial
The only other April Kentucky Derby prep race worth noting is the Grade II Wood Memorial.
Following a win in the Gotham Stakes, Deterministic is the favorite at the sportsbook, and he could firm in Derby betting markets.
He’s paying around +175 for the race this Saturday, and although the Wood Memorial isn’t as strong as the Santa Anita Derby and Blue Grass Stakes, there have been runners who come out of this race and run well in May.
We don’t see the other runners making much of an impact, but Deterministic could sneak under the radar and be one of the better-backed runners at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby.
For Horse Racing odds analysis, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
