'17 Xpressbet Derby/Preakness/Belmont Wagering Guide

[cal828]

Originally Posted by UncleBenelli

I have seen on multiple threads many people voice the opinion that this is a wide open derby. Even to the extent of the most wide open that many can recall. Which would be evident in the current predicted odds having the favorite around 5 or 6 to 1. However, most all of the expert handicappers appear to agree across the board on a small handful of horses. The few exceptions is each persons stab at 1 potential long shot, and there is very little consensus and that particular stab.

So if it really is the wide open race that so many claim, why are most picking the same 4 horses?

I think it's because there is no clear cut jump off the page favorite like in the last 3 years with Chrome, American Pharoah, Nyquist. There are concerns with just about all of them as Steve said in his Xpressbet article. Some of the favorites have good credentials, so to speak, but also have had negatives like physical or even mental issues and several are very lightly raced and who knows what kind of pace there will be. Undoubtedly, some will change jockeys and running styles. All very confusing stuff to figure out.