Expert Picks for the 2018 Kentucky Derby

There are picks and there are expert picks for the 2018 Kentucky Derby.  We have the later, a look across the Net to see which horses the true experts in racing like.  Live odds can be found here

CONCENSUS 2018 KENTUCKY DERBY PICK

Good Magic, surprisingly, at 11-1 early odds and now 12-1.

This horse is the pick of Melissa Hoppert of New York Times, Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal and Marty McGee of the Daily Racing Form.

These are some important players in the world of horse racing and should know their stuff.

Frakes said: “It’s not the pick I would've made two weeks ago but Chad Brown and the E5 Racing folks over there have sort of sold me on that. I think he has looked incredible.

Justify is also getting plenty of love as the 3.5-1 favorite or +350. 

Justify, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, his only graded race, is the pick of US riding legend Chris McCarron.

"Right now I'm looking at Justify," said McCarron, weighing room royalty in the States.

"If my agent were to come to me and say, 'Of these colts which one do you want to ride?' He'd be the one because he's got good natural speed and he stays up close, which will enable him to stay out of trouble.

"The only downside is he's unseasoned, he's never had dirt in his face and he's only run three times, although he's been very impressive all three.

"He did have to fight a little bit last time out, but he appears to be the most talented of the bunch and Bob Baffert certainly seems to love him."

Then there is Mendlessohn at 4-1 odds.

Jim Mulvihill, of the NTRA, writes:

(Mendelssohn won the UAE Derby) by 18 lengths. There are a lot of people who will tell you that that wasn't the strongest race or they don't believe in a horse shipping from that far away (Ireland). They don't believe in overseas shippers being able to win the Derby. I'm here to tell you that's nonsense.

Ed DeRosa, TwinSpires.com, meanwhile, believes the Florida Derby was the best prep race this year and the winner of that one was Audible at 6-1.

Audible’s sire Into Mischief and dam Blue Devil Bel have been more successful producing winners at shorter distances than the Kentucky Derby however. 

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com