Wynn Las Vegas opened its 2014 Kentucky Derby futures book last Thursday. Some feel that betting on the Kentucky Derby in September can seem foolish, or at least extravagant. But, then again, if you win, you have bragging rights for a long time after the Derby.

The Wynn Sports Book in Las Vegas beats all other outlets every year when it comes to posting the widest range of Kentucky Derby win future bets. Each fall they offer odds on as many as 300 different two year olds who have the potential to be on the Triple Crown trail.

The risk is obviously incredibly high, but it’s a chance to secure some much higher odds on some horses than you’ll be able to by the time May rolls around. If nothing else, it’s a whole lot of fun to look at what odds are available, pick your favorites, and dream of a huge payday.

The early money went on Honor Code who started at odds off 45-1 to being the 35-1 favorite. Honor Code rallied from far back to win his debut at Saratoga by 4-1/2 lengths. He is trained by Shug McGaughey, the trainer of 2013 Derby winner Orb.

The Hopeful winner Strong Mandate, trained by D. Wayne Lukas and was the sports book’s opening favorite at odds of 40-1.

Others who had odds under 100 to 1 were:
35-1 Honor Code (McGaughey) 1st Saratoga maiden by 4 ½ lengths
40-1 Strong Mandate (Lukas) 1st G1 Hopeful by 9 ¾ lengths
45-1 Grand Arrival (Zito) 1st Saratoga maiden by 6 ½ lengths
60-1 Commissioner (Pletcher) 1st Saratoga maiden by head
75-1 Cleburne (Romans) 1st G3 Iroquois by neck
75-1 Havana (Pletcher) 1st Saratoga maiden by 2 ¾ lengths
85-1 Tamarando (Hollendorfer) 1st G1 Del Mar Futurity by ½ length

Horse racing fans that love to wager on the Kentucky Derby held at Churchill Downs. Early players have to pay more attention to the early Derby odds, and they also have to remember that several hundred stories are yet to be written before the horses enter the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. It never ceases to amaze how many wonderful Derby stories there are each year.

To try to evaluate the early betting odds, players should try to just know who is currently on the radar and who is getting money bet for what seems like little reason because those are the runners that could shock come the spring.

Remember – the main object of betting on horses is to beat the race track ‘Odds makers’ or the ‘Odds compilers’ and win some money. Also, placing a bet on your favorite horse can make the Derby even more exciting – especially if you have a bet “alive” come Derby Day.

Never fear, if you want to wait a bit to bet, that is OK. Churchill Downs will have 3 weekends next year that will allow you to bet.