2017 Kentucky Derby Betting Favorites Always Dreaming

Being a favorite in horse racing is no real guarantee of success, especially when you consider that the favorite only wins about 30% of the time in this sport. That number is probably even lower once you get to the Triple Crown races. This is particularly true in the Kentucky Derby, where you have large fields and a group of horses that represent the best in the business. There have been many big favorites in the history of this race, but it takes a near perfect trip to turn expectation into a win. There are a pair of horses that the bookies have put among the most favored this year. Classic Empire is one, and the subject of this piece, Always Dreaming, is the other. There may end up being some separation in their horse racing odds once the post-position draw is made, but for now, they are joint favorites. Let’s take a closer look at what Always Dreaming will be binging to Churchill Downs.

In Depth Analysis On The 2017 Kentucky Derby Betting Favorites Always Dreaming

  

Always Dreaming Race History

It took 3 attempts for this horse to break his maiden, although he did finish in the money in his first two starts. Those first two races were run at shorter distances, and it wasn’t until he stretched out to over a mile that he found his feet. His first win came in 2017, and he quickly followed it up with a win in an allowance race, versus much better horses, at Gulfstream Park. That win landed him in the Florida Derby, which he also won, taking his career earnings to over half a million dollars.This is a horse that has gotten progressively better with each race, and his 5-length win at the Florida Derby was one that made people sit up and take notice. Like every other horse in this race, there are questions about his ability to handle the 1 ¼, but Always Dreaming is sired by Bodemeister, who finished second in the Derby and the Preakness back in 2012, so his pedigree suggests he may be fine.

Racing Style

Always Dreaming is going to want to be close to the leading pack at the start of the race, although we can expect him to maintain more of a stalking role. He used this particular style to win the Florida Derby, where he went head to head with State of Honor coming down the stretch, only to pull away and win quite comfortably in the end. He could well be passing some tiring horses coming down to the line on Saturday afternoon.Always Dreaming will be ridden by John R. Velasquez, and experienced jockey who won the Kentucky Derby aboard Animal Kingdom back in 2011. The horse is trained by Todd Pletcher, a man who is no stranger to the Derby. He has had a total of 45 horses in the Kentucky Derby over the years, and has one win under his belt, with that one being Super Saver back in 2010.