Kentucky Derby 2016: Expert Picks, Odds, Post Positions For 142nd Run For The Roses; Is There Another American Pharoah?

exaggerator kentucky derby 2016 — Exaggerator has caught the eye of experts ahead of the 142nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Getty Images

Horse racing experts aren’t convinced morning-line favorite Nyquist can sew up the 142nd Kentucky Derby Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

The Uncle Mo 3-year-old colt has been labeled the favorite for weeks after claiming seven straight races to start his career, including the Florida Derby, and was installed as a 3/1 morning-line favorite after earning the No. 13 post at Wednesday’s draw.

Yet experts from The Courier-Journal and Churchill Downs have perused the rest of the 20-thoroughbred field and are either picking Nyquist’s biggest threats in Exaggerator and Mohaymen, or some longshots.

Currently, the gambling public hasn’t altered Nyquist’s line too much one day prior to the Run for the Roses. Trainer Doug O’Neill and jockey Mario Guiterrez’s contender is still listed at 3/1.

Yet, unlike the odds coming out of Churchill Downs, Bovada.lv has shifted a few of their lines. Exaggerator is now up to +700 compared to +750 on Thursday, while Mohaymen’s dropped to +1000 after originally being pegged as Nyquist’s main competition at +800.

The lines and experts seem to be favoring Exaggerator as the race draws closer, and for good reason. Sired by Curlin, who placed at the 2008 Derby and went on to claim the Preakness and a runner-up finish at the Belmont that year as well before a victory at the Woodward Stakes, Exaggerator certainly has the pedigree.

It also helps Exaggerator’s case that jockey Kent Desormeaux has won six Triple Crown races and four Breeder Cup events under his belt.

This year’s race sits in stark contrast to last year’s when American Pharoah was the presumed favorite at 5/2 odds, and stayed well ahead of every other contender leading up to the starting gate. He of course went on to claim the first Triple Crown title in four decades, but no contender this year has garnered nearly as much attention.

Expert Predictions

Jeff Greer, The Courier-Journal

Pick: No. 10 Whitemore

Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal

Pick: No. 11 Exaggerator

Jonathan Lintner, The Courier-Journal

Pick: No. 19 Brody’s Cause

Paul Rolfes, The Courier-Journal

Pick: No. 13 Nyquist

Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal

Pick: No. 13 Nyquist

Marty McGee, Daily Racing Form