2009 Kentucky Derby Futures and Odds

It’s already mid-January which means that the Road to the Kentucky Derby has begun for trainers, jockeys and owners.

It’s also begun for some astute online racebook betting fans who know that making an online bet on a horse early on in the year to win the Kentucky Derby isn’t always a bad thing.

If sports betting fans had made a wager on Big Brown in January of last year, they would have cashed in on at least a +3000 ticket. That’s huge.

We’ll start slowly on our journey to the first Saturday in May.

Let’s begin by taking a look at the top six online betting interests in the BetUS online sportsbook to win the Kentucky Derby this year.

As always, the list is based on online betting odds as well as an analysis of each horse’s ability.

Top Six Online Betting Options to Win the Kentucky Derby

1. Old Fashioned - - +1200 online betting odds - - There’s nothing not to like about this son of Unbridled’s Song that is undefeated and won the Grade II Remsen Stakes going 1 1/8th miles with a fantastic speed rating. He’s trained by Larry Jones and ridden by Ramon Dominguez. The 12 to 1 online odds look to be on the short side for it being so early in the game, but let me tell you, Jones will get this fella to the starting gate. I can almost guarantee it.

2. Vineyard Haven - - +2000 online betting odds - - The Grade I Champagne winner has yet to make a start in 2009 but don’t worry. He’s trained by Bobby Frankel and it’s only a matter of time before he’s in peak condition and ready to roll in prep races as well as on the first Saturday in May. This son of Lido Palace won’t have any issues going the distance and Frankel has learned from the mistakes he made when campaigning Empire Maker in 2005.

3. The Pamplemousse - - +2000 online betting odds - - I love this fella and for good reason. His trainer Julio Canani usually doesn’t have three-year old stock but SoCal online racebook fans know that Canani is one of the best trainers in the state. The Pamplemousse just beat a terrific field of horses in the Grade III San Rafael Stakes. He should improve which means he’s worthy of a long look to win the Derby this year.

4. Midshipmen - - +2000 online betting odds - - The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner will be coming off of an injury the next time he enters a race. That shouldn’t be a problem because he comes out of the Bob Baffert barn. I love Midshipmen for the simple fact that he’s a proven Grade I winner who hasn’t run on dirt yet. Because he’s out of Unbridled’s Song so there’s no telling how good this guy will be once he gets his feet on the dirt.

5. Munnings - - +5000 online betting odds - - Don’t worry about the flop in the Breeders’ Cup. It’s almost better that he didn’t win the Breeders’ Cup. This fella has all of the ability to take home the roses in the Kentucky Derby and his trainer, Todd Pletcher, no doubt will find a way to get him ready to do that. I’m not giving up on this guy yet.

6. Pioneer of the Nile - - +2000 online betting odds - - We’ll learn a lot more after his second start with Baffert. He’s bred to run for days and he obviously has a nice turn of foot. But he hung in the lane in his last race. That wasn’t impressive and Baffert’s second stringer at this point, Midshipmen, already has a Grade I victory to his credit. Again, we’ll learn more the next time Bafftert puts a saddle on him.