The third Kentucky Derby Future Wager ended with “All Others” favored at odds of 3-1.
Top individual 2014 Kentucky Derby contenders include Cairo Prince (9-1), Top Billing (11-1), Honor Code (11-1), Candy Boy (12-1), Shared Belief (15-1), Bayern (17-1), Tapiture (17-1), and Strong Mandate (18-1).
The top two individual contenders, Cairo Prince and Top Billing, will meet in the Florida Derby on March 29. Their styles differ greatly with Cairo Prince preferring to race near the pace, while Top Billing starts at the back before beginning a steady march to the top. The winner of this match up is likely to be the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.
Not so fast though; Wildcat Red (28-1), General a Rod (36-1) and Conquest Titan (26-1) are all legitimate contenders for the Florida Derby and could knock off Cairo Prince and Top Billing.
General a Rod has a great pedigree for the Derby distance, as does Conquest Titan. The Florida contingent of Kentucky Derby contenders is clearly the best in the country. Wildcat Red, tougher than a pit bull, is unlikely to get the Derby trip in Louisville, but could make noise in the shorter Florida Derby.
Bob Baffert’s top contender is Bayern (17-1), a colt named after a region of Germany. He has only a maiden and allowance win to his credit, but was breath taking in both wins. His pedigree is big enough to see him through the “classic” distance. His next start will be in Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes this Saturday.
Shared Belief (15-1), last year’s champion juvenile, is in jeopardy of missing the Kentucky Derby. He has not had a recorded workout in some time and time is running out. He is currently at Golden Gate Fields.