In what many call the most exciting two minutes in sports, the annual running of the Kentucky Derby will take place this upcoming Saturday, May 2nd.  The race will be shown live the famous Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on NBC at 6pm (EST). Below you will find some of our 2015 Kentucky Derby picks with a breakdown of the odds & race entries.  The general general predictions from famous horse racing experts and handicappers are listed below. 

The overwhelming favorite for the 2015 Kentucky Derby is American Pharoah.  Listed at 3.5 to 1 odds (at 5Dimes Sportsbook), Pharoah is ridden by famous jockey, Victor Espinoza, who also jockeyed last year’s winner of California Chrome.  Many of of the famous experts, including Jill Byrne & Ed DeRosa, have predicted Pharoah will cross the finish first.  The duo of trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza is the most highlighted team of them all and why American Pharoah is the favorite.   We at Bankroll Sports truly don’t think you will find any value betting the popular pick in Pharoah.  He is likely to go off at very poor odds due to him being the popular expert pick and the fact that Espinoza will be on him and there are too many strong horses in the field. Pharoah will also have to work from way out outside as he got a bad draw with the 18th post position.

A very popular pick from racing cappers & a true thoroughbred that want to avoid overlooking, is undefeated Dortmund (2015 Kentucky Derby Odds: 3 to 1 at 5Dimes Racebook).  Dortmund will be coming out of the number 8 post and is trained by the popular Bob Baffert, who is also training the popular favorite, American Pharoah.  To fill out an MVP team, Dortmund’s saddle will be controlled by Martin Garcia.  

As we said, there are some other impressive horses in the field, and not all the experts are backing American Pharoah.  While not exactly contrarian picks, other experts, like Daily Facing Form’s David Grening, is keen on the other Bob Baffert trained horse. The handicappers at Bankroll Sports also like Grening’s pick of Carpe Diem who’s morning line is at 8 to 1 odds to win the 2015 Kentucky Derby (odds from 5Dimes Sportsbook).  Carpe Diem will be ridden by soon-to-be-retired and legendary jockey, John Velazquez.  Velazquez will look to add to his impressive resume including a 2011 derby win (on the back of Animal Kingdom).  Velazquez hopes to go out out on top by winning the grand daddy of them all one more time.  Our handicappers (as well as many) love trainer Todd Pletcher and expect him to have Carpe Diem ready for the longer track at Churchill Downs.  We also like that Carpe Diem has the inside number 2 post position, giving him the chance to get out in front and ride the rail.  Throw in that he’s not one of the Baffert trained horses, you are likely to end up with a decent price at post time.

Todd Pletcher (Carpe Diam’s trainer) will be training several horses in this year’s Kentucky Derby.  Aside from Carpe Diem, the most well-known of them (from many horse racing aficionados) would be Materiality (2015 Kentucky Derby Odds: 21 to 1).  Materiality is from the stud of the briefly-famous Afleet Alex.  This is a nice bloodline as Afleet Alex won the Preakness Stakes & Belmont Stakes in 2005 (as well as three other majors). Materiality is being ridden by a red-hot rider in jockey Javier Castellano. The experienced Castellano finished number one overall in jockey earnings the past two years (2014 & 2015) and did so on the backs of some significant horses.  If you are looking for a sleeper, Materiality’s morning line of 21 to 1 offers tremendous value.

Huge Exclusive 100% Signup Bonus (Up to $2,000) From JustBet!
For New JustBet Sportsbook Players: Mention Bankroll Sports & Use This Link To Join!
(Available By Above Links Only – $100 Min / $1,000 Max – 50% Added Bonus For Deposits Over $2,000)

Click Here For The 2013 Belmont Stakes Racing Form Including Belmont Stakes Past Performances

2013 Belmont Stakes Odds, Picks & Info
2013 Belmont Stakes Date: Saturday, June 8th, 2013
2013 Belmont Stakes Post Time: 6:30 ET
2013 Belmont Stakes Location: Belmont Racetrack, Elmont, NY
2013 Belmont Stakes Favorite: Orb (3 to 1)
2013 Belmont Stakes TV Coverage – Network: NBC
2013 Belmont Stakes Past Performances: Click Here

Without a Triple Crown prospect waiting in the wings, there is no overwhelming favorite on the Belmont Stakes odds. Orb (Odds To Win Belmont Stakes: 3 to 1 at BetOnline Sportsbook) is the most likely horse that could go on and take a second leg of the Triple Crown. Of course, Orb was the horse that won the Kentucky Derby, and he was the overwhelming favorite to win the Preakness. He had a terrible run at Pimlico though, and he was boxed out of any real chance to ultimately claim the second leg of the Triple Crown. Orb though, is probably still the best three-year old horse in the world right now, and unlike at the Preakness, where we weren’t overly wild over his horse racing odds, we think that this is a very respectable price at 3 to 1. The Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby winner could very well add the Belmont Stakes to his resume as well. Orb is going to go out of the very solid No. 5 post. Posts don’t matter nearly as much in the Belmont as they do in the other races in the Triple Crown, but at least this way, there is no excuse for Jockey Joel Rosario to get his colt pinned in along the rail like he did at the Preakness.

It’s not all that often that we see a Kentucky Derby winner and a Preakness Stakes winner running up against each other in the Belmont Stakes, but that’s exactly what we have this year. Oxbow (2013 Belmont Stakes Race Odds: 13 to 2 at BetOnline Sportsbook) went wire to wire at the Preakness Stakes in a truly amazing run in a truly unique situation. Jockey Gary Stevens, one of the oldest men to ever get onto a horse in a Triple Crown race, did a fantastic job getting Oxbow to the front of the pack at the Preakness, and he was really never challenged. This is going to be a fantastic challenge for Oxbow though, as few probably thought that he could actually win the second leg of the Triple Crown, let alone to run in the third leg at 1 1/2 mile. Does Stevens have one more magical run in him? We don’t like his odds, but we do definitely think that Oxbow is a lot better than our original projections from the Derby and the Preakness.

Past Belmont Winners (Since 2000)
2012 Belmont Stakes Winner: Union Rags
2011 Belmont Stakes Winner: Ruler On Ice
2010 Belmont Stakes Winner: Drosselmeyer
2009 Belmont Stakes Winner: Summer Bird
2008 Belmont Stakes Winner: Da’Tara
2007 Belmont Stakes Winner: Rags To Riches
2006 Belmont Stakes Winner: Jazil
2005 Belmont Stakes Winner: Afleet Alex
2004 Belmont Stakes Winner: Birdstone
2003 Belmont Stakes Winner: Empire Maker
2002 Belmont Stakes Winner: Sarava
2001 Belmont Stakes Winner: Point Given
2000 Belmont Stakes Winner: Commendable

The most interesting horse that is in this field in our eyes is Vyjack (Belmont Stakes Betting Lines: 25 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Vyjack had an absolutely atrocious run in the Kentucky Derby, finishing 18th amongst the 19 horses. As a result, most assume that he isn’t going to be able to run against the big boys in a Grade 1 race. We aren’t so sure though, whether Vyjack was just a victim of 1) the extended field and 2) Mother Nature taking over and making the track at Churchill Downs sloppy as could be. Vyjack won each of the first three races of his career, and he was competitive in the Wood Memorial. In spite of the fact that Oxbow and Orb are both in this race, there aren’t a heck of a lot of other horses that scare us, and the field is nowhere near as good as the one was at the Derby. If Vyjack gets off to a good start in this 1 1/2 mile circuit and can cover the distance, he might be the horse that surprises all.

If you’re a strong proponent of betting on some history happening at the Belmont, the horse you want to bet on is Unlimited Budget (Belmont Stakes Odds: 10 to 1 at BetOnline Sportsbook). Not only would this filly be just the fourth filly (and the second in the last 108 years) to win the Belmont Stakes, but if she wins, Jockey Rosie Napravnik would become just the second female jockey to ever win a Triple Crown race. Don’t just discount Unlimited Budget because of the fact that she is a she. Yes, she only finished third at the Kentucky Oaks earlier this year, but she ran against what might have been a more competitive field at Churchill Downs than when the boys ran against each other. Trainer Todd Pletcher is taking a big chance by running Unlimited Budget “The Test of Champions” against the colts instead of against the fillies. We’ll have to see how it pans out. There won’t be a tougher horse to handicap here than Unlimited Budget.

2013 Belmont Stakes Race Lines @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 6/6/13):
(FREE 550% Bonus Offer at 5 Dimes By Using This Link)
Frac Daddy 33 to 1
Freedom Child 9.50 to 1
Overanalyze 16 to 1
Giant Finish 40 to 1
Orb 2.90 to 1
Incognito 30 to 1
Oxbow 5.50 to 1
Midnight Taboo 40 to 1
Revolutionary 5 to 1
Will Take Charge 25 to 1
Vyjack 25 to 1
Palace Malice 14 to 1
Unlimited Budget 10 to 1
Golden Soul 12 to 1

Belmont Stakes Prop Bets
All Odds Available From 5Dimes.eu
Belmont Stakes Matchups Bets
Oxbow +120 vs. Revolutionary -150
Frac Daddy -130 vs. Midnight Taboo +100
Vyjack +100 vs. Palace Malice -130
Unlimited Budget -105 vs. Freedom Child -125
Golden Soul -125 vs. Overanalyze -105
Giant Finish +120 vs. Incognito -150
Orb -170 vs. Oxbow +140
Will Take Charge -130 vs. Vyjack +100
Frac Daddy -120 vs. Giant Finish -110
Freedom Child -125 vs. Golden Soul -105
Unlimited Budget -145 vs. Palace Malice +115
Golden Soul -105 vs. Unlimited Budget -125
Overanalyze -115 vs. Palace Malice -115
Orb -155 vs. Revolutionary +135

Current 2013 Belmont Stakes Lines @ BetOnline Sportsbook (as of 6/6/13):
(Get a HUGE 100% Signup Bonus at BetOnline.com When Using This Link)
Orb 3 to 1
Revolutionary 5 to 1
Oxbow 13 to 2
Freedom Child 8 to 1
Palace Malice 10 to 1
Unlimited Budget 10 to 1
Golden Soul 12 to 1
Overanalyze 14 to 1
Will Take Charge 20 to 1
Vyjack 22 to 1
Incognito 25 to 1
Frac Daddy 33 to 1
Giant Finish 33 to 1
Midnight Taboo 33 to 1

Huge Exclusive 100% Signup Bonus (Up to $2,000) From JustBet!
For New JustBet Sportsbook Players: Mention Bankroll Sports & Use This Link To Join!
(Available By Above Links Only – $100 Min / $1,000 Max – 50% Added Bonus For Deposits Over $2,000)

Full List Of Preakness Stakes Odds Listed Below!

Click Here for 2013 Preakness Stakes Racing Form and Preakness Stakes Past Performances

After a thrilling Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes is right around the corner this weekend, and here at Bankroll Sports, we are making our Preakness Stakes picks and predictions for the second leg of the Triple Crown! Join us, as we try to hit our Preakness Stakes superfecta picks and predictions!

138th Preakness Stakes Information
2013 Preakness Date: Saturday, May 18th, 2013
2013 Preakness Stakes Post Time: 6:20 ET
Current Preakness Favorite: Orb (Even Money)
2013 Preakness Daily Racing Form: Free 2013 Preakness Stakes Past Performances
TV Coverage – Network: NBC – Time: 4:30 ET – 6:30 ET

2013 Preakness Stakes Post Draws & Preakness Stakes Morning Line Odds

There is no doubt that the Preakness Stakes odds are shaping up for Orb (Odds To Win Preakness: 1 to 2 at BetOnline Sportsbook) to win. Not only was he the Kentucky Derby winner, but he also ended up getting on the rail at the Preakness Stakes, clearly the best position for a horse to be in. Now, Orb can run the race that he wants to run from the front of the pack, and he has nothing but speed around him as well. The question mark that we have with Orb is whether he is going to be able to post a fast enough Beyer Speed Rating to be able to win the Preakness. We had that same question at the Derby, and he was able to win, but a 104 at Churchill Downs isn’t all that great. The par rating for the Preakness Stakes is 109, and Orb has never come anywhere near to that in his entire career. He’s going to need to come up with his fastest race ever if he is going to take the second leg of the Triple Crown. We aren’t doubting it, but we do know that there could be some problems that lie ahead for Orb.

Just to Orb’s inside is another horse that is going to come out of the blocks flying, Goldencents (2013 Preakness Odds: 7.50 to 1 at BetOnline Sportsbook). Jockey Kevin Krigger did a horrid job on this horse at the Kentucky Derby, but the fact of the matter is that the horse just couldn’t get into a position at the front of the crowded field, and he ultimately paid the price for it. As soon as there was wet dirt kicked into the face of Goldencents, he had it. The horse ended up incredibly far off of the pace, but Rick Pitino’s horse is going to be back for another go at Orb in the second leg of the Triple Crown. This is a case of a horse that has a great price on his head after a horrid run in the biggest race of his career. We saw Lookin At Lucky win the Preakness Stakes after a lousy Kentucky Derby, and we very well could see Goldencents end up doing the exact same thing. This is the biggest race in the career of Jockey Kevin Krigger, as he badly needs to prove that he can win one of these major races. If he doesn’t, he runs the risk of becoming nothing more than a regional jockey once again, most likely at Santa Anita.

Past Preakness Winners (Since 2000)
*Denotes Winner of the Kentucky Derby
2012 Preakness Stakes Winner: I’ll Have Another*
2011 Preakness Stakes Winner: Shackleford
2010 Preakness Stakes Winner: Lookin At Lucky
2009 Preakness Stakes Winner: Rachel Alexandra
2008 Preakness Stakes Winner: Big Brown*
2007 Preakness Stakes Winner: Curlin
2006 Preakness Stakes Winner: Bernardini
2005 Preakness Stakes Winner: Afleet Alex
2004 Preakness Stakes Winner: Smarty Jones*
2003 Preakness Stakes Winner: Funny Cide*
2002 Preakness Stakes Winner: War Emblem*
2001 Preakness Stakes Winner: Point Given
2000 Preakness Stakes Winner: Red Bullet

The only horse that didn’t run in the Kentucky Derby that is considered to really have a shot here at the Preakness Stakes is Departing (Current Preakness Odds: 6 to 1 at BetOnline Sportsbook). Departing was the Illinois Derby winner, and he won that race in relatively impressive fashion, but he did it against a bunch of horses that never really had much of a shot of competing in the Triple Crown races. We don’t know a lot more about this horse than that, but we do know that he is a closer in a race in which there is a rabbit (Titletown Five) and a bunch of horses that are favorites that might try to keep up with him. It could bode well for the No. 4 horse, who has four wins in his five starts in his career. We just don’t know if the value is really there on Departing to warrant making him a part of your exotics, though anything that Orb isn’t in would ultimately pay some darn good money.

Way on the outside though, is Itsmyluckyday (Odds To Win The Preakness: 12 to 1 at BetOnline Sportsbook). Itsmyluckyday is a horse that we wanted to back in the Kentucky Derby, but he just didn’t run all that well. He was never in a position to run his race, and now, we think that he is going to have a better opportunity to do so even though he is starting from the far outside in a nine-horse field. We still look back at that Florida Derby run and see Itsmyluckyday as a horse that has closing abilities, and it darn near was able to outkick the mighty Orb, who is the odds on favorite in this race. The fact that this colt’s odds are worse at the Preakness is borderline insane, and we know that in the end, Itsmyluckyday does have a chance in this nine-horse field to take the cake.

Current 2013 Preakness Stakes Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 5/15/13):
(Get a HUGE 50% Sportsbook Bonus at 5Dimes.eu When Using This Link)
Orb 1 to 1.20
Goldencents 7 to 1
Mylute 9 to 1
Departing 4 to 1
Govenor Charlie 7.50 to 1
Itsmyluckyday 9 to 1
Oxbow 15 to 1
Will Take Charge 12 to 1
Titletown Five 28 to 1

Preakness Stakes Prop Bets
All Odds Available From 5Dimes.eu
Orb Finishes In Top 3 -510
Orb Doesn’t Finish In Top 3 +340

Orb Finishes 2nd in Preakness Stakes +350
Orb Doesn’t Finish 2nd in Preakness Stakes -530

Orb Finishes 3rd in Preakness Stakes +550
Orb Doesn’t Finish 3rd in Preakness Stakes -1050

Orb Wins Triple Crown +220
Orb Doesn’t Win Triple Crown -300

Orb Wins Preakness and Not Triple Crown +260
Any Other Result -380

Victory Margin: Dead Heat +6000
Any Other Victory Margin -20000

Victory Margin: Nose +1300
Any Other Victory Margin -2575

Victory Margin: Head +1000
Any Other Victory Margin -1750

Victory Margin: Neck +800
Any Other Victory Margin -1475

Victory Margin: 1/2 to 3/4 lengths +450
Any Other Victory Margin -675

Victory Margin: 1 to 2 3/4 lengths +220
Any Other Victory Margin -280

Victory Margin: 3 to 5 3/4 lengths +350
Any Other Victory Margin -485

Victory Margin: 6 to 7 3/4 lengths +1050
Any Other Victory Margin -1875

Victory Margin: 8 to 10 3/4 lengths +1300
Any Other Victory Margin -2575

Victory Margin: 11 to 14 3/4 lengths +1700
Any Other Victory Margin -4250

Victory Margin: 15 lengths or more +2800
Any Other Victory Margin -7000

Current 2013 Preakness Stakes Lines @ BetOnline Sportsbook (as of 5/15/13):
(Get a HUGE 100% Signup Bonus at BetOnline.com When Using This Link)
Orb 1 to 1
Departing 6 to 1
Mylute 6 to 1
Goldencents 15 to 2
Govenor Charlie 10 to 1
Itsmyluckyday 12 to 1
Will Take Charge 12 to 1
Oxbow 16 to 1
Titletown Five 28 to 1

Kentucky Derby Matchups @ Bovada Sportsbook (as of 5/15/13):
(Get a FREE 20% Bonus at Bovada.lv By Using This Link)
Check Back On Preakness Stakes Race Day For Race Matchup Prop Bets