2022 Kentucky Derby Futures Odds & Prep Races: Bob Baffert Contender Corniche Tabbed Betting Favorite

Things are about to heat up on the road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby, with prep races galore taking place in the months leading up to the 148th running of the annual “Run for the Roses” on May 7 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

And with roughly two dozen graded stakes events come plenty of opportunities for bettors to get in on the action via futures wagering ahead of the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown series.

Leading the way in the latest betting odds at Caesars is Corniche, the current favorite at 6-1 odds. Guided by embattled trainer Bob Baffert, the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion is actually not listed individually in the official Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2, which opened Friday at 12 p.m. ET to the betting public.

Baffert’s contender wasn’t listed in Pool 1 either, which took place from Nov. 26 to Nov. 29. Furthermore, there are no Baffert trainees listed as separate wagering interests the latest pool. The Hall of Fame trainer was banned from running his horses in the Kentucky Derby for two years by Churchill Downs after 2021 winner Medina Spirit tested positive for a medication overage.

Derby hopeful Jack Christopher, trained by Chad Brown, checks in as the current second choice at 15-1 odds. He’s followed by Messier — another Baffert charge — at 20-1 odds, and Smile Happy, who’s trained by Ken McPeek.

At least one person has a lot of confidence in Smile Happy. Renowned sports bettor Jim McIngvale, better known as “Mattress Mack,” reportedly dropped $10,000 on the horse, who’s the offspring of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and champion sire Runhappy (whom he owns), and now stands at stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky.

2022 Kentucky Derby Futures Odds

* Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

Other notable hopefuls at +5500 odds or longer (trainer in parentheses): Gunite +5500 (Steve Asmussen); Rockefeller +5500 (Bob Baffert); Major General +5500 (Todd Pletcher); Octane +6000 (Carlos David); Howling Time +6000 (Dale Romans); HP Moon +6500 (Lacey Gaudet); and, Sir London +6500 (Simon Callaghan).

Here is the schedule for the Kentucky Derby prep races, including dates and points awarded for the top-four finishers in each event:

Road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby

Points system: As you probably gathered from the numbers listed next to each race in the graphic, the points breakdown is simple to understand. The top-four finishers in each race earn points toward their totals for entry in the Kentucky Derby. A maximum of 20 horses can enter the starting gate for the race, so racking up as many points as possible is crucial for all contenders.

For example, the winner of Saturday’s Grade III Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans will receive 10 points. The runner-up gets four points, followed by the third-place runner (two points) and the fourth-place finisher getting a point.

Several races, specifically the Grade I stakes events, carry much more weight and value, hence the winner being awarded 100 points. That said, if a horse wins a featured event like the Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby or the Santa Anita Derby — all Grade I affairs — they’re basically a lock to reach the starting gate.