2022 Kentucky Derby horses, contenders, odds, date: Expert who nailed 9 Derby-Oaks Doubles lists picks

After Monday’s post-position draw, Zandon is the 3-1 favorite in the 2022 Kentucky Derby odds. While that is no guarantee of success, it is an omen to finishing in the money. Over the last 10 years, the Kentucky Derby favorite has cashed nine times, with Improbable in 2019 the one outlier after he finished fourth. Six of those 10 favorites won the Kentucky Derby and those victories happened consecutively from 2013 to 2018. At the very least, Zandon can’t do any worse than his sire, Upstart, who finished dead-last in the Kentucky Derby in 2015. Zandon will man the No. 10 post in the 2022 Kentucky Derby field on Saturday from Churchill Downs. Other 2022 Kentucky Derby contenders include Epicenter, listed at 7-2 in the odds, and Messier (8-1). With so much to consider, you’ll want to see what SportsLine’s Jody Demling has to say before entering any 2022 Kentucky Derby picks or horse racing predictions of your own.

A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling has been on-point with his horse racing bets. He hit the exacta in the Wood Memorial in April. Last year, he hit the exacta, trifecta and superfecta in the Belmont Stakes. This is the same handicapper who hit the Derby-Oaks double at Churchill Downs nine times in the last 13 years. That means he held a ticket with the winners of both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby all but four times in his last 13 tries.

In addition, at one point in 2020, he picked the winners of six straight races: the Saudi Cup, Gotham Stakes, Rebel Stakes, Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby, and Belmont Stakes. Anyone who has followed him on these races is way up.

Now, with the 2022 Kentucky Derby lineup locked in, Demling is sharing his picks and predictions over at SportsLine. Go here to see them.

Top 2022 Kentucky Derby predictions

One of Demling’s surprising 2022 Kentucky Derby picks: He is fading Epicenter, saying one of the top favorites barely even cracks the top three. Purchased in an auction at Keeneland nearly two years ago for $260,000, Winchell Thoroughbreds turned to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen to train its prized colt. As a two-year-old, Epicenter struggled in his debut, finishing seventh in a seven-furlong maiden race at Churchill Downs last September. However, he broke his maiden on the legendary track two months later in a one-mile run.

Epicenter then moved to the Fair Grounds in Louisiana, where he won the Gun Runner Stakes, Risen Star Stakes and Louisiana Derby while finishing second at the Lecomte Stakes. While he’s won from the front and while stalking the pace, the concern is that he’s peaked and Asmussen is 0-for-23 in the Kentucky Derby as a trainer.

Another stunner: Demling is high on Mo Donegal, even though he’s a double-digit long shot and will race from the inside post. The horse drew the rail, and the No. 1 spot has produced eight Kentucky Derby winners, which is the third-most.

The son of Uncle Mo, who won multiple Grade 1 races back in his day, Uncle Mo also sired 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. Mo Donegal is trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, whose resume is unmatched when it comes to sheer volume at the Derby. Pletcher has saddled more Kentucky Derby horses (59) than any other trainer and won the race twice before. Mo Donegal is also coming off a victory in his last race, which is important since nine of the last 11 Kentucky Derby winners have entered off a win.

How to make 2022 Kentucky Derby picks, bets

Demling is especially high on an evening bigger double-digit long shot who has “been training great at Churchill Downs,” and is set to hit the board hard. Demling is sharing which horse it is, along with his entire projected leaderboard, over at SportsLine.

Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby 2022? And which huge underdog is a must-back? Check out the latest 2022 Kentucky Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling’s picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who nailed nine Derby-Oaks doubles and six straight races.

2022 Kentucky Derby horses, odds