Epicenter the Focus for 2022 Kentucky Derby

There have been some top class horse races across the world in recent weeks but, at the start of May, attention will switch to the United States. The 2022 edition of the Kentucky Derby attracts global attention and a high quality field is ready for this year’s edition.

Amongst the many runners and riders that have been declared, the schedules show a clear favorite but will those predictions be confirmed or is there a surprise waiting from among the outside pack?

The Only Date that Matters

Saturday May 7th is the date to put in your diary for the latest running of this historic race. First held way back in 1875, the 2022 renewal returns, once again, to the spectacular setting of the Churchill Downs Racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky.

For those who are new to this event, this is a flat race for thoroughbred horses which takes place across one and a quarter miles of the track. It’s something of a sprint for the horses and jockeys involved and that’s why it’s often referred to as the ‘Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sport’. 

With the exception of the Breeders’ Cup series, the Kentucky Derby is the only race in the US that attracts attention from horse racing enthusiasts across the world. That’s why global racegoers head outside of their own meetings to take a look at proceedings over at Churchill Downs.

Epicenter out in Front

The sportsbooks have had their say and the horse currently leading the way is the Steven Asmussen trained Epicenter. According to the best horse racing sites in the UK and beyond, Epicenter is leading the outright winner market by some margin.

Following a gap to the chasing pack, the horses to watch out for include Taiba, Messier, Charge it, Zandon and White Abarrio.

There’s still some room to maneuver and those markets have the capacity to change in the days leading up to the race. The numbers are supplied by sportsbooks affiliated with sbo.net and there will be some adjustments reflected on the website.

Sbo.net will also provide racing news and general information and, while readers are assessing those odds, they can also get involved with the markets. If a sports betting site is mentioned in these pages, they will be ready to take on new customers, subject to eligibility.

In the majority of cases, generous welcome packages will be placed on the table while many operators also have ongoing promotions moving forward.

A selection of deposit and withdrawal methods allows players to move funds while friendly customer service is on hand at all times. Additional benefits across the life of the account including mobile betting, a host of other sports and the potential to live stream some horse racing.

It’s a logical site to follow for anyone interested in staking on the Kentucky Derby but is the assessment of the runners and riders a correct one?

Out in Front

Epicenter is leading the way and the record of this impressive horse suggests that the market may have got it right. The horse has enjoyed four previous outings and has returned three wins and one second place.

That’s a strong return among some impressive competition and it certainly suggests that Epicenter deserves to be favorite. The next question to ask is where the biggest challenges will come from.

Challengers Ranked

According to those markets, the horses with the best chance of catching Epicenter at the top are Zandon and Taiba. Zandon is a three-year-old colt trained by Chad C. Brown who also has an excellent record in four races to date.

Zandon has two wins, together with a second and a third place finish in those four outings. It’s an impressive return but it’s worth noting that the horse finished behind Epicenter in the Group 2 Risen Star earlier this year.

Based purely on previous records, the Tim Yakteen trained Taiba may well offer the biggest challenge to Epicenter in this year’s Kentucky Derby. The horse may lack experience but has won on the Santa Anita course in both of his previous outings this year.

Taking a step up to a race as prestigious as the Kentucky Derby may be too much for this promising colt but, if he can maintain that form, we may yet see an upset in the markets.

There are a few weeks left for the runners and riders to change but we’re sure to be set for another thrilling sprint to the line at Churchill Downs.