2020 Kentucky Derby Betting Odds Preview

Nearly three months after winning the Belmont Stakes, can Tiz the Law add the second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown this weekend in the 146th Kentucky Derby?

After being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be the first time since 1931 that the Derby will not be run as the first leg of the Triple Crown. Churchill Downs will host 18 horses in this year’s race with Tiz the Law being listed as a heavy -150 favorite at Bovada Sportsbook.

Tiz the Law’s last race wasn’t the Belmont. He ran in the Travers Stakes in early August, winning by 5 ½ lengths. That was his seventh career win in eight races.

Tiz the Law looks to make history from No. 17 post

In the Derby, Tiz the Law has drawn the No. 17 post, which has never housed a winner in the history of the Run for the Roses. His trainer, Barclay Tagg, will be looking to visit the winner’s circle at the Derby for the second time after winning with Funny Cide back in 2003.

Only two other horses from the Belmont will be returning for the Derby: Max Player and Sole Volante. Max Player finished third in the Belmont and is listed as a +4000 underdog in the Derby at Bovada. Sole Volante placed sixth and is getting slightly better Derby odds at +3300.

The two horses the oddsmakers are giving somewhat of a chance to beat Tiz the Law are Honor A.P. and Authentic.

Honor A.P., Authentic considered top challengers

Honor A.P. is listed as a +650 underdog at Bovada. Earlier this year he finished first in the Santa Anita Derby and in his last race, the Shared Belief Stakes, he placed second. He is trained by John Shirreffs, who won the Derby with Giacomo in 2005.

Authentic is a +1000 underdog. He finished second behind Honor A.P. in the Santa Anita and won his last race, the Haskell Stakes. He has also won four of five races in his career. Authentic is trained by Bob Baffert, who has trained five Derby winners, including Justify and American Pharoah, the last two Triple Crown winners.

Honor A.P. and Authentic will both line up alongside Tiz the Law this weekend, as Honor A.P. has drawn the 16th post and Authentic has drawn No. 18.

Major Fed, Thousand Words start in winningest posts

Speaking of post positions, in Derby history the No. 5 post has housed the most winners with 10. This weekend that spot belongs to Major Fed, a +5000 underdog. The No. 10 post, which has housed nine winners over the years, belongs to Baffert’s other entry, Thousand Words (+1800).