Wet racetracks can create confusion for horse racing handicappers, and all week long it has appeared that Churchill Downs would be a sloppy mess for Saturday's 2020 Kentucky Derby. Instead, the 146th Run for the Roses will be contested under sunny skies and on a dry track. Does that mean overwhelming favorite Tiz the Law has a better chance at moving one step closer to winning the Triple Crown, or will one of the other 2020 Kentucky Derby contenders come from the 15-horse field to win the storied race?
Tiz the Law, who backed up his Belmont victory with a winning romp at the Travers Stakes, is 5-8 in the latest 2020 Kentucky Derby odds from William Hill. The Bob Baffert-trained Thousand Words was scratched 20 minutes prior to post time, the third scratch of the week. Before making any horse racing predictions, you'll want to see the latest 2020 Kentucky Derby picks from SportsLine's Jody Demling.
A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling enters the 2020 Kentucky Derby on a major heater on his horse racing picks. He has the picked the winner of six of his last seven races: the Saudi Cup, Gotham Stakes, Rebel Stakes, Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby and Belmont Stakes. At the Belmont, the first Triple Crown race of 2020, Demling called Tiz the Law the class of the field and he pulled away for a convincing victory.
This is the same handicapper who hit the Oaks-Derby double at Churchill Downs nine times in the last 11 years. That means he held a ticket with the winners of both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby all but twice in his last 11 tries. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, Demling has released his early 2020 Kentucky Derby picks, predicting where every horse will finish. He's sharing all of it at SportsLine.
2020 Kentucky Derby expert predictions
One surprise: Demling is fading Authentic, even though he's one of the favorites in the Kentucky Derby odds 2020 at 8-1. The son of Into Mischief out of Flawless, Authentic didn't run the Belmont Stakes and was instead pointed towards the Santa Anita Derby, but was second that day to fellow Kentucky Derby contender Honor A.P.
Authentic crossed the wire first at the Sham Stakes and San Felipe Stakes. After running second at Santa Anita, Authentic captured the Haskell Invitational. However, the colt has shown trouble loading and breaking from gates, in addition to having never traveled the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby distance. Even with the success, Demling believes Authentic is "not sure he wants the added distance" in Saturday's 146th Run for the Roses and doesn't recommend including the horse in your 2020 Kentucky Derby bets.
Another shocker: Demling is high on Sole Volante, even though he's a huge 35-1 long shot in the latest Kentucky Derby odds 2020. He's a target for anyone looking for a huge payday. Trainer Patrick Biancone has worked out Sole Volante differently than other Kentucky Derby candidates, breezing the colt every nine to 10 days instead of weekly and doing so on turf instead of a dirt surface similar to Churchill Downs. That formula has also included tougher, mile-long runs instead of shorter dashes in an effort to get Sole Volante ready for the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby distance.
The son of Karakontie out of Light Blow, Sole Volante has four victories in seven career races, including a win at the Sam F. Davis. And having not raced since his sixth at the Belmont Stakes, Sole Volante trots into Churchill Downs rested and ready. Demling is high on Sole Volante, saying "his style is perfect for the stretch at Churchill Downs," and likes him for your 2020 Kentucky Derby bets.
How to make 2020 Kentucky Derby picks
In addition, Demling is high on an epic long shot who "will be running in the end." He's using him prominently in his exactas, trifectas, and superfectas, and so should you. He's only sharing which horse to back, and his entire projected 2020 Kentucky Derby leaderboard, here.
Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby 2020? And which massive long shot is a must-back? Check out the latest 2020 Kentucky Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling's picks for the 2020 Kentucky Derby, and find out.
2020 Kentucky Derby odds
Tiz the Law 5-8
Honor A.P. 6-1
Authentic 8-1
Ny Traffic 16-1
Money Moves 18-1
Max Player 20-1
Enforceable 24-1
Sole Volante 35-1
Attachment Rate 45-1
Storm the Court 45-1
South Bend 50-1
Major Fed 60-1
Mr. Big News 80-1
Necker Island 85-1
Winning Impression 100-1
