Dortmund Odds of Winning the Kentucky Derby Now Approaching Favorite Status

Dortmund, with the second shortest odds of winning this year’s Kentucky Derby, had odds of just over 4/1 to be crowned the victor on Saturday.  Meanwhile, favorite American Pharoah was slipping towards 3/1. 

For many experts studying the field, Dortmund is already being called the “biggest threat” at this year’s Derby.

Both horses are trained by Bob Baffert, thus providing him with excellent odds of winning the 2015 Kentucky Derby regardless of whether it is American Pharoah or Dortmund. 

On the betting front, Wynn Resorts stands to lose more with American Pharoah winning.

"I've taken some big bets on him at 3-1 and 7-2," Executive Director of the sportsbook John Avello told ESPN. "Good, solid four-figure bets."

That’s not true of all Vegas books, and even the online sites, however.

From ESPN.com:

At William Hill, Dortmund attracted 32 percent of all money bet on the Kentucky Derby futures book, including a $2,500 wager at 8-1 placed on March 15. That's nearly double the amount of money that was placed on American Pharoah at William Hill, before the future book was closed prior to post positions being released. A Dortmund victory would cost the William Hill book a six-figure loss, according to director of marketing Michael Grodsky.

Bettors also are backing Dortmund to finish ahead of American Pharoah in an individual matchup prop bet at sportsbook operator CG Technology. Baffert, who has trained three Kentucky Derby winners, has never raced his two stars.

"We took a couple sophisticated gets on Dortmund to beat American Pharoah," said Jason Simbal, CG Technology vice president of race and sports.

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com