145th Kentucky Derby: When Does It Start, What Channel Is It On, Who’s Favored To Win?

While the Kentucky Derby is rarely predictable, the 2019 running has taken an unexpected turn. With news of race favorite Omaha Beach dropping out of the race due to an entrapped epiglottis, the field has been shaken up. In his place, Bodexpress, currently given 30-1 odds to win, will enter this years race and run from the outside post.

War of Will, currently at 15-1 odds, drew the inside post for the race. He’s coming off a two-length win at the Rebel. War of Will is supposedly in great health according to trainer Mark Casse but he stumbled out of the gate at the Louisiana Derby and finished ninth. War of Will does his best running early so it’ll be important to watch his get out.

At 9-2 odds, Game Winner will enter the race as the favorite. At just two years old, the horse won all four of it’s starts this year though narrowly escaped defeat in half of those races. With Omaha beach dropping out, the young contender finds itself at an elevated level right now.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will ride Cutting Humor in this race. The horse is given 20-1 odds. He was a no show in the Southwest but rebounded with a win in the Sunland Derby. After Omaha Beach bowed out, Smith found himself available and took on Cutting Humor. While he can’t win the triple crown this year like he did with Justify last year, he’s not in an awful spot.

Master Fencer, at 50-1 odds, is the first Japanese-bred horse to enter the derby. He’s the biggest shock if he wins the derby.

At 6:46 p.m. EST on Saturday, May 4, 19 colts will come bursting out of the gate. It’s anyone best guess who wins but for some, it’s the most exciting race in sports.

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Here are some of the best tweets about the race:

Article by Bill Piersa

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