Bet this race at Top pick: #3 (Epicenter) (7-2) - This horse has speed and never takes a step back. Epicenter has won four of five after taking the Louisiana Derby and the Risen Star after a second-place finish in the Lecomte Stakes. In December, Epicenter took first in the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner Stakes by a dominant 6 1/2 lengths. Derby-winning jockey Joel Rosario has the mount, giving trainer Steve Asmussen his best chance to be in the running for this first Kentucky Derby victory.
2nd pick: #10 (Zandon) (3-1) - Zandon finished second to Epicenter in the Kentucky Derby qualifying points standings. This horse has finished first, second, and third in its last four races after taking the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass Stakes four weeks ago. The No. 10 post has sent off nine Derby winners, second only to the 10 winners from post No. 5. Zandon is the favorite and will be in the running, though trainer Chad Brown is 0-for-6 in the Kentucky Derby with his best finish a second with Good Magic in 2018.
3rd pick: #15 (White Abarrio) (10-1) - Many of this year's Derby starters are lightly raced, adding to the intrigue of this 20-horse field. White Abarrio ranks third on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 122 qualifying points. This gray colt has won four-of-five starts and has never been out of the money. White Abarrio is rested and healthy for the Kentucky Derby, which wasn't the case for his victories in the Holy Bull in February and in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby last month. He missed two workouts because of illness before winning the Holy Bull, then he was delayed three days with a fever before taking the Florida Derby by 1 1/4-lengths.
4th pick: #16 (Cyberknife) (20-1) - Cyberknife has come on strong, winning three of four races, capped by the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby last month. This horse has tactical speed to press, and he showed great competitiveness holding off Barber Road and Secret Oath at Arkansas. He is the son of Gun Runner and has finished first or second in four of his last five races.