2019 Kentucky Derby Jockey Odds: Mike Smith a +600 Favorite

• The Run for the Roses is scheduled for May 4th
• Can Mike Smith win a second straight Kentucky Derby?
• What jockey offers the best value?

The biggest stars of horse racing are, you guessed it, the horses. The best jockey, trainer, and owner in the world can’t make a slow horse fast. That said, it is impressive how the same connections seem to win over and over again.

Mike Smith won his second Kentucky Derby last year, and is the favorite to capture number three this year. John Velazquez was aboard Always Dreaming two years ago and also is seeking a third Derby. So what rider will capture the roses this year? The odds are largely dependent on the horse.

Let’s take a look at the updated 2019 Kentucky Derby jockey lines.

2019 Kentucky Derby Jockey Odds

*Odds taken 04/20/19

Mike Smith

The nickname “Big Money Mike” refers to how frequently Smith treks to the winner’s circle. At the age of 53, he called the choice of whether to ride Omaha Beach or Roadster, “the hardest decision I have ever made in my career.”

While both are among the favorites, Smith’s decision to ride Omaha Beach means he is working with trainer Richard Mandella, a US Racing Hall of Famer, instead of Bob Baffert, perhaps the greatest of all time. Smith won the Triple Crown on Baffert’s Justify last year. Smith’s choice will impact betting, as bettors decide between Omaha Beach and Roadster they’ll recognize the rider’s decision.

Florent Geroux

The big winner of Smith jumping on Omaha Beach is Geroux who assumes the irons on Roadster. Many expected Flavien Prat to get the mount, but instead it is Geroux who gets the assignment. One of the favorites, Roadster is three for four in his life including a victory at the Santa Anita Derby.

In 2016 Geroux rode Gun Runner to a third place finish at the Kentucky Derby, and later won the Breeders’ Cup Classic with him.

Irad Ortiz

The winner of last year’s Eclipse Award for best rider in the country, Ortiz has been among the top five in earnings in the US in each of the last six years. In 2018 he led the nation in purses and that included victories in two Breeders’ Cup triumphs and getting to the winner’s circle in the Arlington Million and Whitney Stakes. Ortiz will ride Bob Baffert’s Improbable, one of the Derby favorites in Louisville.

Joel Rosario

In 2013, during a span of five weeks, Rosario won the Kentucky Derby aboard Orb, and the Dubai World Cup on Animal Kingdom. He has been among the six winningest jockey’s in each of the last 10 years in the US. He’ll ride Baffert’s Game Winner in Louisville, and should be in the mix.

The Bet

The four jockey’s highlighted in this article are riding what probably will be the four horses bet the most. You can certainly chose the human or horse you like marginally better than another, but the price on Geroux is ultra tempting.

Pick: Florent Geroux (+6000)