Bodemeister Betting Favorite in Kentucky Derby
It's probably not surprising that going into Saturday's epic Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, that Bodemeister, who is trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, has been laid by most online sportsbooks as the 2012 Kentucky Derby betting favorite.
As one of America's premier race horse trainers, Baffert is no stranger to the Kentucky derby, having won the big race three times in his career - in 1997 with Silver Charm, in 1998 with Real Quiet and in 2002 with War Emblem. While Baffert is always represented in the Kentucky Derby, this year he may have his biggest shot in a decade of pulling off win number four.
Owned by Zayat Stables, Bodemeister was named after Baffert's son Bode, and has shown himself more than capable of romping home first over the 1 1/4 mile dirt course on Saturday. Because not only does the three-year-old have speed going for him, but he also has bucket loads of stamina, which will come in handy against 19 Derby rivals on the weekend.
Son of Empire Maker is Expected to Win the Derby
The son of top-rated Empire Maker, Bodemeister is expected to eat up the Churchill Downs course on Saturday, provided, of course, he gets off to a solid start under champion jockey, Mike Smith. This should not be an issue for Smith, who won the Kentucky Derby in fine style back in 2005 aboard Giacomo for trainer John Shirreffs.
In his brief but exhilarating career, Bodemeister has shone despite the fact he never raced as a two-year-old. This means that if Bodemeister wins on the weekend, he'll become the first Kentucky Derby winner since 1882 that was never raced in his second year, which many 2012 Kentucky Derby betting fans will bear in mind.
However, that factoid does not seem to bother Bodemeister's connections, considering how he blitzed the rest of the field in last month's Arkansas Derby, to cross the line first by a notable 9 1/2 lengths. While some betting fans may balk at how lightly raced Bodemeister has been, others believe his sheer and stamina will propel him over the line first.
Which is why Bodemeister will start as the betting favorite come Saturday. But betting fans will be wise to bear in mind that with such a deep field in this, the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, it could well be anyone's race. Here is the latest Kentucky Derby winner betting line available at William Hill Online.
2012 Kentucky Derby Winner Odds at William Hill
Bodemeister - 4/1
Union Rags 2View Tips 5/1
Gemologist - 7/1
Dullahan - 8/1
Creative Cause - 11/1
I'll Have Another - 11/1
Take Charge Indy - 12/1
Alpha - 14/1
Hansen - 14/1
Daddy Long Legs - 20/1
Daddy Nose Best - 20/1
El Padrino - 20/1
Went The Day Well - 20/1
Done Talking - 25/1
Prospective - 33/1
Sabercat - 33/1
Isn't He Clever - 40/1
Optimizer - 40/1
Trinniberg - 40/1
Liaison - 50/1
Rousing Sermon - 50/1
