2022 Kentucky Derby: Which Horses Are Favored To Win

LOUISVILLE, KY — Anything could happen when this year’s Kentucky Derby contenders take their places Saturday at Churchill Downs.

“On paper, the 2022 Kentucky Derby is shaping up to be an ultra-competitive race with many viable win contenders,” according to J. Keeler Johnson, who wrote a guide to the competing horses for the derby website.

Of the contenders, racing experts have pegged Zandon, Mo Donegal, Epicenter and Zozos as being among the potential winners.

With three wins and a 111 Brisnet Speed rating, Mo Donegal ties with the relatively inexperienced Taiba for the highest speed rating in the derby, according to Johnson. Mo Donegal also beat out Zandon in the Remsen Stakes, although Zandon went on to win the Blue Grass Stakes a month later, making a Brisnet Speed rating of 103.

Epicenter outpaced Zandon when he came in first at the Risen Star Stakes. He also won the Louisiana Derby, and, according to Johnson, “he has to be respected based off the company he defeated on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.” Among those that Epicenter outpaced at Louisiana was Zozos, who has a top speed rating of 98.

As of Friday afternoon, Epicenter was ranked No. 1 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, with 5-1 odds. Zandon was No. 2, with 8-1 odds, while White Abarrio, who has a Brisnet Speed rating of 97 and four wins, was No. 3 at 10-1 odds. Rounding out the top five were Mo Donegal at No. 4 with 7-1 odds, and, at No. 5, Tiz the Bomb, who has five wins, a top-speed rating of 101 and “offers some longshot appeal,” according to Johnson. Tiz the Bomb’s odds Friday afternoon were 25-1.

Below is the full leaderboard ranking as of Friday afternoon, including odds:

1. Epicenter, 5-1
2. Zandon, 8-1
3. White Abarrio, 10-1
4. Mo Donegal, 7-1
5. Tiz the Bomb, 25-1
6. Cyberknife, 15-1
7. Crown Pride, 16-1
8. Taiba, 5-1
9. Simplification, 44-1
10. Smile Happy, 14-1
11. Classic Causeway, 72-1
12. Tawny Port, 69-1
13. Barber Road, 40-1
14. Messier, 7-1
15. Zozos, 39-1
16. Summer Is Tomorrow, 46-1
17. Charge It, 12-1
18. Happy Jack, 23-1
19. Pioneer of Medina, 56-1
20. Ethereal Road, SCR
21. Rich Strike, 99-1
22. Rattle N Roll, SCR

For tips on betting, visit www.kentuckyderby.com/wager#learn and www.kentuckyderby.com/wager/learn-how. For more information about the competing horses, go to www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/news/study-guide-2022-kentucky-derby.