New Favourites in the Derby and Oaks

The months of May and June are significant ones for horse racing in both the US and Europe. Major races are being held on both sides of the pond and new superstars will be created.  Who will go off as the favourite to win these races? Recent weeks have seen big changes in the betting markets.

In the UK, all the attention will be turned on the Epsom Derby and Oaks.  These are the two main Classics that are held every year. The past five years have seen either Aidan O’Brien or Charlie Appelby train the winner of the Epsom Derby. That domination could well be broken this year.

The Dante Stakes is an important race on the road to the Epsom Derby. Last week at York, Desert Crown won the Group 2 race by three and a quarter lengths. That was only his second time on a racecourse and the Sir Michael Stoute runner kept on well in the final furlong.

The Epsom Derby is a furlong and a half longer than the Dante, but Desert Crown should see out that extra distance. His trainer has won the Epsom Derby on five occasions but not since 2010, another win is a possibility on June 4.

Desert Crown was available at 33/1 earlier this summer. After his Dante win, he’s now the 9/4 favourite.  The betting market for the Epsom Derby has seen many changes and it’s Stone Age (trained by Aidan O’Brien) that is second favourite at 5/2.  A win in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown saw his odds shorten but this is a horse that didn’t win a race until his sixth attempt.

There’s a new favourite for the Epsom Oaks that takes place on June 3. Emily Upjohn, ridden by Frankie Dettori is as short as 5/4 to win this Classic. Her odds became considerably shorter after winning the Musidora Stakes at York last week. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, that five and a half length win was her third success, and the filly will go to Epsom unbeaten.

In the US, the second and third legs of the Triple Crown take place this and next month. Gamblers are still getting over the shock of 80/1 Rich Strike winning the Kentucky Derby on May 7.  The Preakness Stakes take place at Pimlico on May 21 with Epicenter (second in Kentucky) as the 11/10 favourite. Zandon (third in Kentucky) is the second favourite at 4/1 with Rich Strike 7/1, the horse betting experts reported.

The final leg of the Triple Crown is the Belmont Stake on June 11. The current favourite for this race is Mo Donegal at 7/2. He’s won three of his five races but only finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby. How would he have fared if not being bumped though? He’s not in the Preakness so compensation may well be earned in the Belmont Stakes.

We are the People is the second favourite at 5/1. with Epicenter 6/1 and Rich Strike 12/1. You can expect the odds on the last two named if they do well in the Preakness Stakes.

An exciting June also sees the Prix du Jockey Club take place at Longchamp on June 5. Modern Games is chasing a five-timer here. This year saw the Charlie Appelby runner win the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains this season and is 5/2 to win on June 5.

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