Kentucky Derby Picks

Hey, it’s Dave Molinaro again. Your favorite non-expert handicapper with thoughts on the Derby! A lot of the other handicappers love to dig deep into PP’s, check the track bias, and use their vast knowledge to make their selection – that is not me. I’m going off fun facts, names I like and tips I hear from people smarter then myself. So let’s get into it…

The favorite is obviously Justify. But I don’t like that play. Do not come at me telling me that the favorite has won the last 5 Kentucky Derby’s. I will rebuttal with the fact that a 2-year-old has not won the Derby since the late 1800’s. Also, it’s not fun playing the favorites!

I’m hearing a lot of love for Mendelssohn. This horse has won in 4 different countries and 3 different surfaces in 7 starts. Mendelssohn has a ton of speed but if he doesn’t get up front out of the gate (post 10), I don’t think this horse can make moves late to pull out the victory.

With 8-1 morning line odds, Bolt d’Oro is a smart play at a good price. Magnum Moon and Audible common show plays, but if you want the winner look no further than My Boy Jack!

My Boy Jack is a late closer and opened at 30-1 odds. That is a dream for people looking for a huge payday. My Boy Jack picked up wins at the Lexington Stakes in Keeneland and the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in 2018. And he will be the 144^th Kentucky Derby winner. When trainer Keith Desormeaux makes his way to the winner’s circle, I won’t say, “I told you so.”