2022 Kentucky Derby Prep Race Betting Odds & Picks: Epicenter Favored in Louisiana Derby; Japanese Stars Lead UAE Derby Field (March 26)

We take another monster step toward the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with more crucial points on the line in the $1 million Grade II Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.

The winner of the 1 3/16-mile race on the dirt track earns 100 points, which guarantees the horse and its connections a spot in the starting gate for the 148th edition of the annual "Run for the Roses" on May 7 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Finishing second is good for 40 points, which almost assures that horse a shot at the Derby crown as well.

Looking to build on their solid run of winning picks on this lengthy Derby trail, TVG analyst Andie Biancone and Action Network handicapper Jeremy Pond are back again in their pursuit for more victories at solid profits. Biancone and Pond will unveil their Top 10 Derby contenders next week, so stay tuned to see who they think are the prime contender to win the first leg of the Triple Crown.

That said, the duo dives into the solid Louisiana Derby field, featuring nine entrants. The scheduled post time is 6:44 p.m. ET, with TV coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET on CNBC. Pond also has made picks for the UAE Derby, which is set to go off at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Meyden Race Course in Dubai.

So, without further ado, let's check out their best bets and other top wagers.

Tune in to TVG for coverage of the Louisiana Derby, plus the entire racing card at Gulfstream Park to catch Biancone deliver her inside analysis and reporting for the day's slate from Hallandale Beach, Fla.

2022 Louisiana Derby (Grade II) Odds

*Latest Odds via TVG

Race Information

Date | Post Time: Saturday | 6:44 p.m. ET

Distance | Surface: 1 3/16 miles | Dirt

Location: Fair Grounds Race Course | New Orleans

Louisiana Derby Top Picks & Longshots

Andie Biancone

No. 6 Epicenter (7-5): I have been high on this horse ever since his efforts in the Gun Runner Stakes, and he certainly seems to be improving with time.

Epicenter is nearly an even-money, morning-line favorite, and there's honestly not much I can say against him in term of his form. Not only has he shown early speed and ability to set fast fractions, but he has proven he can carry that speed over the distance.

Even physically, Epicenter has always been standout among his competition, dwarfing the field even in his earlier career starts. The only things I can see compromising this horse’s chances are if he contends in an early speed duel and burns out or if his form has plateaued from his previous run into this race.

Otherwise, Epicenter is a strong contender.

No. 9 Rattle N Roll (6-1): This horse didn’t fire much in the Fountain of Youth, but he certainly needed a race after the layoff and his late running style isn’t suited for the speed-favoring Gulfstream Park main track.

Rattle N Roll has been improving numbers wise race after race, yet has been crying for more distance. This 1 3/16-mile distance should be extremely advantageous to him since there will be a ton of early pace setup for him to come with a strong close down the stretch.

The only time Rattle N Roll completely underperformed was when he ran second time out at Saratoga Race Course, but what the form doesn’t tell you is his dealing with an injured eye, which completely eliminated his chances.

Other than that, Rattle N Roll seems to be full of try and has the ability to stretch out. Rattle N Roll also has quite the impressive work tab, consistently putting in 58-second, five-furlong breezes and done them with ease.

Longshot — No. 2 Zozos (8-1): For a bit of a price, I think Zozos could be very sneaky in this bunch.

He has all the speed to get him into a good position, but has also shown he can sit off speed and draw away. Zozos broke his maiden in decent fashion, but proved his talent and versatility against winners when he sat off speed and drew off to win by 10 1/4 lengths in a recent race.

For a horse to win a 1 1/16-mile race by that big of a margin and do it sitting off early speed certainly speaks volumes about his potential.

The Louisiana Derby will be a definite test for Zozos, but he has been impressive so far and I’m willing to take a shot with him at a morning line price of 8-1 odds.

Watching this horse’s last race, Zozos has the potential to improve with added distance and I love the Brad Cox-Florent Geroux (trainer-jockey) pairing.

Jeremy Pond

UAE Derby Best Bets

$8 Win | Place | Show: No. 6 Combustion (5-1)

$5 Exacta: 6-11-13 over 4-6-7-8-9-11-13

Louisiana Derby Best Bets

$5 Win | Place | Show: No. 2 Zozos (8-1)

$5 Place | Show: No. 9 Rattle N Roll (6-1)

$4 Exacta: 2-6-9 over 2-3-5-6-7-9

$1 Trifecta: 2-6-9 over 2-3-5-6-7-9 over 2-3-5-6-7-8-9

Louisiana Derby Exotic Wagering

(Races 10-11)

Biancone's Daily Double

Fair Grounds Oaks | Louisiana Derby

1-2 | 2-3-6-9

Pond's Daily Double

Fair Grounds Oaks | Louisiana Derby

1-2-3 | 2-3-6-9

Road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby