2017 Kentucky Derby Predictions: Will Classic Empire win? 5/6/17
The 2017 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday from Churchill Downs. Here’s who I have in my tri-fecta for today’s race.
Latest Kentucky Derby Odds: Classic Empire
According to oddsmakers, Classic Empire is the current favorite at 4/1 odds. McCraken and Always Dreaming have the next-best odds at 5/1, respectively, followed by Irish War Cry at 6/1. As of this morning, Always Dreaming and Irish War Cry were the favorites, but their odds have dropped.
Continuing with the odds, Girvin, Hence, Gunnevera and Gormley are all 15/1, respectively, while Practical Joke, Tapwrit, Lookin at Lee, Thunder Snow and J Boys Echo are all 20/1, respectively.
To Win: Classic Empire
Classic Empire can follow Street Sense (2007), American Pharoah (2015), and Nyquist (2016) as 2-year-old champion males of this century who have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby as a 3-year-old. He’s coming off an impressive showing in the Arkansas Derby, winning the race despite falling further off the pace than he did in previous starts. Despite his loss by eight lengths in the Holy Bull, I like Classic Empire to claim victory today at Churchill Downs.
To Place: Always Dreaming
It’s tempting to take Always Dreaming to win after his impressive victory in the Florida Derby. He won by five-lengths in that 1 1/8-mile race in what was one of the most impressive performances by any contender in the Derby field. What gives me pause is the fact that Always Dreaming has just one contested stakes race. His previous victories as a 3-year-old was against suspect competition. Nevertheless, I like Always Dreaming to finish somewhere in the money.
Show: Thunder Snow
Call this my potential sleeper. Thunder Snow is a bit of a mystery coming off a win in the UAE Derby, but his resume is impressive nonetheless. He’s among the top Derby contenders with over $1.62 million in earnings and three group stakes wins. After winning mostly on turf surfaces, his last two victories have also come on dirt, so I’m not worried about the track. Thunder Snow could surprise.
Other contenders I’ll consider for my superfecta: Irish War Cry, Gunnevera and McCraken.
