Encino's Tuesday afternoon scratch due to a soft tissue strain in his right front leg shook up the Kentucky Derby odds picture.
With Encino defecting, No. 21 Epic Ride will draw into the body of the field. Find out what this means from a wagering perspective in our latest Kentucky Derby update.
Wednesday's Kentucky Derby odds: Encino out, Epic Ride in
Encino put in a gallop on the Churchill Downs oval ahead of his start in the Kentucky Derby on Tuesday morning but was discovered to be "off" by trainer Brad Cox on the way back to his barn. The horse was vanned to Rood and Riddle Hospital in Lexington, KY where Dr. Larry Bramlage diagnosed the soft tissue strain.
“He galloped first thing this morning, he looked amazing. That’s what’s so confusing,” Cox told the Daily Racing Form. “He was traveling as well this morning as he was all last week leading up to his breeze.”
The timing could not be much worse for the promising three-year-old, but the injury doesn't appear to be incredibly serious.
“I think it’s something we can back off, give him some time, and have a fresh horse in 30 days.” Cox said.
Cox will still saddle Catching Freedom and Just a Touch in the 150th Derby. Meanwhile, the trainer of Epic Ride — John Ennis — was happy to hear his colt will get to compete in the "Run for the Roses."
“It’s fantastic. It's a huge achievement for a smaller barn like us to get in, just privileged to be a part of it,” Ennis told the DRF.
How should bettors re-approach the Kentucky Derby?
Encino ran just four times prior to the Derby and has employed varying tactics in the past, both wiring fields and rallying from far back to post three victories. He might have impacted the pace somewhat, but it could still be a quick tempo even without him.
Epic Ride was third in the Blue Grass Stakes last time out and finished second behind Encino in the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park two-back. Churchill Downs morning-line oddsmaker Mike Battaglia stamped him as a 30-1 long shot, but bet365 has him priced a bit lower at +2,500.
The Kentucky Derby post positions saw a significant shuffle as everyone slotted outside No. 9 Encino moved one spot in. That means No. 10 T O Password will break from stall nine and so on all the way down to No. 21 Epic Ride, who will be breaking from the 20-hole.
Kentucky Derby live odds
We have odds for all the remaining Kentucky Derby horses.
| Post | Horse |  * |
 ** |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Fierceness | <+250> | 5-2 | <+300> |
| 2 | Sierra Leone | <+300> | 3-1 | <+250> |
| 4 | Catching Freedom | <+800> | 8-1 | <+1,000> |
| 8 | Just A Touch | <+1,000> | 10-1 | <+1,000> |
| 11 | Forever Young | <+1,000> | 10-1 | <+850> |
| 1 | Dornoch | <+2,000> | 20-1 | <+2,500> |
| 3 | Mystik Dan | <+2,000> | 20-1 | <+2,500> |
| 6 | Just Steel | <+2,000> | 20-1 | <+2,500> |
| 7 | Honor Marie | <+2,000> | 20-1 | <+2,000> |
| 9 | OTB | SCR | OTB | |
| 12 | Track Phantom | <+2,000> | 20-1 | <+2,500> |
| 18 | Stronghold | <+2,000> | 20-1 | <+1,400> |
| 19 | Resilience | <+2,000> | 20-1 | <+2,000> |
| 15 | Domestic Product | <+3,000> | 30-1 | <+2,500> |
| 5 | Catalytic | <+3,000> | 30-1 | <+4,000> |
| 10 | T O Password | <+3,000> | 30-1 | <+2,500> |
| 14 | Endlessly | <+3,000> | 30-1 | <+2,000> |
| 13 | West Saratoga | <+5,000> | 50-1 | <+5,000> |
| 16 | Grand Mo The First | <+5,000> | 50-1 | <+6,600> |
| 20 | Society Man | <+5,000> | 50-1 | <+2,500> |
| 21 | Epic Ride | <+5,000> | 50-1 | <+2,500> |
| 22 | Mugatu | <+5,000> | 50-1 | <+10,000> |
Odds as of 5-2-2024.
*FanDuel Racing odds available in AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY
**bet365 Kentucky Derby odds not available in the United States
More Kentucky Derby picks and predictions
Our experts are making Kentucky Derby picks and building bets all week.
- Early Kentucky Derby Picks: Win, Place, Show & More
- Early Kentucky Oaks Picks: Just F Y I Will Keep Pace
- Kentucky Oaks Win, Place, and Show Picks and Predictions
Where can I bet on the Kentucky Derby?
Several legal horse racing betting sites allow you to wager on the Kentucky Derby, but not every sportsbook is allowed to offer Derby odds. We have created a guide outlining the best Kentucky Derby betting sites available in your area.
Which states have legal betting on the Kentucky Derby?
Sports bettors can enjoy some form of online or retail wagering in 34 states (+ DC), but horse racing enthusiasts have even more legal options. Check out our list of legal states for betting on horse racing to see if wagering on horse racing is legal in your state via the FanDuel Racing app.
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Ontario
Following the changes to the iGaming regulations on April 4, 2022, horse racing betting is no longer available at sportsbooks. Those in Ontario who are looking to bet on the Kentucky Derby will need to sign up at one of Woodbine's two online offerings, HPIbet and Dark Horse Bets.
