One of the biggest online horse betting events of the year is set to be held this weekend. The Kentucky Derby has the largest audience of a US-based horse race and naturally, there will be more players placing bets on horses this upcoming Saturday. However, due to the unnatural size of the audience, a majority of this weekend’s punters don’t have a plethora of experience when it comes to horse betting. Randomly placing bets on a horse because its name appeals to you might pull some winnings every once in a while, but it is far from being a winning strategy. To help those punters who are far from being veterans, we’ve assembled this expert analysis of this weekend’s action.

Latest Online Horse Betting News & Predictions

There will be a total of 20 horses competing at this weekend’s Kentucky Derby, which marks the 143^rd rendition of the fastest two minutes in all of sports. Down below punters can find an in depth analysis going over your best options for this weekend’s action.

143^rd Kentucky Derby – Saturday, May 5^th

When: Coverage Begins at 2:30 pm ET

Where: Churchill Downs Racetrack, Louisville, Kentucky

TV: NBC

Purse: $2 million guaranteed

Distance: 1 ¼ miles

Track Record: 1:59 2/5 (Secretariat, 1973)

Post Time: 6:34 pm ET

Irish War Cry

Trainer: Graham Motion Jockey: Rajiv Maragh Odds: 6-1

The majority of online horse betting punters are expecting Irish War Cry to come up big at this Saturday’s events. The 6-1 odds aren’t offering much value, but correctly predicting the winner is worth it. However, players should know that no horse has ever won the Kentucky Derby coming out of Post 17.

Classic Empire

Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Julien Leparoux Odds: 4-1

Classic Empire is another heavy favorite, and rightfully so considering that he was the 2-year old champion winner of the Juvenile Breeder’s Cup. But considering that he has only raced twice as a 3-year old, due to some injuries, punters might want to stay away from this one. Especially since 4-1 odds aren’t going to get you too far.

Tapwrit

Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Jose Ortiz Odds: 20-1

Here’s your sleeper; a great colt that has been flying under the radar for quite some time now. He blew the start at Blue Grass, but don’t let that influence your bet. This horse could very well go all the way, and with 20-1 odds, punters who pick him will be going all the way to the bank afterwards.

Patch

Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Odds: 30-1

This is more of an honorable mention than anything else. Patch will likely come up short this weekend, but considering that the steed only has one eye, there’s no doubt that Patch is this weekend’s fan favorite. But in all honesty, he’ll need a miracle to win.