2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders

With the post positions to be determined Wednesday, we are beginning to see the big picture when it comes to the 2012 Kentucky Derby contenders.

Unless an injury or infection sidelines the likes of Bodemeister, Union Rags, Gemologist, Hansen or Dullahan, all of these horses are pretty much guaranteed to be contending for a spot in Saturday’s Derby. 

Bodemeister remained the favorite to win at 4/1 or +400 but with Union Rags close behind at 5/1 or +500.  These two could be alternating the favorite spot over the coming days.

Bob Balfert-trained Bodemeister recently won the coveted Arkansas Derby.

"When he's just galloping, he's sort of lazy," Baffert said. "That's what took me so long to get him to the races is we thought maybe he needs more time. But finally we said 'We're going to run him' and then, boom."

Watch the weather forecast Saturday as Bodemeister demonstrated he could cruise on the muddy tracks of Churchill Downs during his Sunday prep. 

“He’s settled in here really well,” Baffert said. “The (marathon) runners spooked him a little bit yesterday, got him a little jazzed up. He’s working like he was in California. He puts in his little work and comes back. He’s a pretty laid-back horse.”

Gemologist was listed at 7/1 odds, offering terrific early value as one of the Todd Pletcher-trained Kentucky Derby contenders.  He was also victorious at this month’s Grade 1 race Wood Memorial. 

"Once he won that allowance race as impressively as he did, people jumped right back on,” Pletcher said.  “And he certainly backed it up with a good performance in the Wood get to himself back in the forefront."

Here are all your 2012 Kentucky Derby contenders and latest odds (as of April 30, 2012), courtesy of WagerWeb.com, which was offering up to $1000 in FREE CASH to qualified customers here.  

Bodemeister +400 or 4/1
Union Rags +500 or 5/1

Gemologist +700 or 7/1

Alpha +1400 or 14/1

Creative Cause +1100

Dullahan +700

Hansen +1400

I’LL Have Antoher +1200

Take Charge Indy +1200

El Padrino +2000

Went The Day Well +2000

Daddy Nose Best +2000

Daddy Long Legs +2500

Done Talking +3300

Mark Valeski +3300

Howe Great +3300

Liaison +3300

Sabercat +3300

Rousing Sermon +3300

Prospective +3300

- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com