Omaha Beach Odds: 2019 Kentucky Derby Contender Series

On February 2, Omaha Beach lined up in a field of seven maidens going seven furlongs in the slop. He was already the beaten favorite in his first four starts. Here’s a look at the Omaha Beach odds for the Run for the Roses.

The Richard Mandella trainee had shown signs of ability. He came out of the wrong ends of photos twice. However, he had landed in the money in all four outings, his first three coming on turf.

The son of War Front picked up his diploma in his fifth start and did it in style, drawing away to win by nine lengths that signaled that the colt could be a contender on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Next up came his stakes debut in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park. There, he picked up new rider Mike Smith, a Hall of Fame jockey. The colt got plenty of respect in the wagering, sent off at 9-2. He opened a two-length lead heading for home and held off champion juvenile Game Winner by a nose.

His early Kentucky Derby odds dropped to +1600 and he became a serious player for the Run for the Roses.

The colt made his final prep for Louisville by heading back to Oaklawn Park. He won the Arkansas Derby (G1) by length over Improbable.

In two stakes starts, he defeated Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s top two three-year-olds at the time.

Omaha Beach Odds: Derby Line Improves After Arkansas

A couple of days after his score in the Arkansas Derby, his price in early Kentucky Derby betting had gone down to +550. This is good for second choice behind only Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Roadster at +500.

Now, Smith had a tough decision to make. He was the regular rider of both the Baffert-trained Roadster and Omaha Beach. Smith had to decide who to ride on the first Saturday of May.

Less than a year ago Smith was aboard Justify, who became the 13th Triple Crown winner and second in four years trained by Baffert.

However, Smith decided on Tuesday to stick with Omaha Beach. He is now sitting as the third choice on the early Kentucky Derby betting lines at +550, behind only the Baffert duo of Game Winner and Roadster. They are both at +500.

It will be interesting to see how the Omaha Beach odds go over the next few weeks and on Derby Day. It is tough to separate the top three, and any one of the trio could end up the betting choice when the gate swings open.

Favorites have done quite well in recent editions of the Kentucky Derby. In fact, the betting favorite has now won six times in a row. With Smith now in the irons, it is quite possible that Omaha Beach ends up going off as the betting favorite.

Fans of Baffert will not only have to choose between Roadster and Game Winner. The silver haired legend will also send out Improbable. He is the current fourth choice on the early Kentucky Derby odds at +700.

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