Big Brown dominated the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, winning easily over second place finisher Eight Belles. Tragically the filly Eight Belles broke down after the race and had to be euthanized.

Kentucky Derby betting favorite Big Brown definitely showed that he is a serious Triple Crown contender with his easy win. Finishing second behind Big Brown was the filly Eight Belles followed by Denis of Cork and Tale of Ekati.

Also ran: Tale of Ekati, Recapturetheglory, Colonel John, Anak Nakal, Pyro, Cowboy Cal, Z Fortune, Smooth Air, Visionaire, Court Vision, Z Humor, Cool Coal Man, Bob Black Jack, Gayego, Big Truck, Adriano and Monba
Winning Trainer: Dutrow Richard E Jr - Owner: IEAH Stables Michael A. Iavarone and Paul P. Pompa, Jr.

$2 Exacta (20-5) Paid $141.60
$2 Trifecta (20-5-16) Paid $3,445.60
$2 Superfecta (20-5-16-2) Paid $58,737.80

The most exciting two minute in sports gets underway on Saturday with horse bettors from all over the world trying to pick the winner of the Kentucky Derby. Let’s take a look at each of the horses in the Kentucky Derby betting field and analyze their chances and make some picks.

2008 Kentucky Derby betting starts with the favorite, Big Brown. On paper he is by far the most talented horse in the field and it isn’t even close. This is one of the weakest Kentucky Derby fields in recent memory and Big Brown stands head and shoulders above everyone else. That is not to say he is an automatic winner. Anything can happen when 20 horses leave the starting gate together but Big Brown has the most talent of any horse in the field.

Let’s begin our analysis with Big Brown.

Big Brown (3-1) - Post Position #20 - The horse is undefeated in his only three starts and has been ultra-impressive. He won the Florida Derby from an impossible outside post and will have a tough outside post in the Derby. It is not a huge factor, however, as there is a lot more room to work a horse to the inside at Churchill Downs. Big Brown has a Hall of Fame jockey in Kent Desormeaux who knows how to win the Kentucky Derby and a trainer in Rick Dutrow that is telling everyone who will listen that his horse is a sure winner. There are some knocks against Big Brown though. Only one horse in history has ever won from post position #20 and no horse has ever won the Derby with fewer than five career starts since Regret. Curlin tried it last year and failed.

Colonel John (4-1) – Post position # 10 – Won the Santa Anita Derby but has never raced on the dirt. Has trained well this week at Churchill Downs and seems to like the track. He is bred for distance but his speed numbers are a class below those of Big Brown.

Pyro (6-1) – Post position #9 - This is the top money earner in the field. Many people are throwing him out because of his poor finish in the Blue Grass but trainer Steve Asmussen says that was totally related to the Polytrack. If he bounces back with a top effort he could put a scare into Big Brown.

Gayego (15-1) – Post Position #19 – Won the Arkansas Derby but his outside post is a major problem. He does have Mike Smith in the irons.

Tale of Ekati (15-1) – Post Position #2 - His Wood Memorial win was not impressive and his Beyers just don’t match up with Big Brown. The inside post doesn’t help.

Z Fortune (15-1) – Post Position #6 - A very impressive 102 Beyer in his last start could put him in the mix. If he likes the distance he can figure into the exotic picture.

Monba (15-1) – Post Position #14 - Won the Blue Grass but doesn’t seem to be a serious threat unless everything goes perfect and Pletcher just doesn’t win the Derby.

Denis of Cork (20-1) – Post Position #16 – This is a horse that just got into the field at the wire but he could surprise and win the race. He has a bullet workout at Churchill, last year’s winning jockey in Calvin Borel and a lot of talent.

Cool Coal Man (20-1) – Post Position #1 - He looks in over his head in this race. Has only won four of his eight lifetime starts and was 9th the last time out. The rail is also a major problem.

Court Vision (20-1) – Post Position #4 – The horse will try and become the first Derby winner for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. He is an improving horse that could surprise. He has a bullet workout at Churchill Downs and should not be overlooked.

Eight Belles (20-1) – Post Position #5 - The Filly is facing the boys and fillies just don’t win the Derby very often. She has never raced beyond 11/16 of a mile. She belongs in the Oaks, not the Derby.

Kentucky Derby betting odds and post positions have been set for Saturday’s race with favored Big Brown drawing outside post #20. Big Brown has been listed as the 3-1 morning line favorite. He is followed in Kentucky Derby odds by Colonel John at 4-1 and Pyro at 6-1.

Big Brown will have to overcome the wide post but trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. does not seem worried. "If we took 18 or 19, maybe he doesn't break so good and horses come over on him," Dutrow said.

"Outside, he can get away clean. We felt like we took our best shot. He should be able to pop right out there and get a good position."

There are no entries in the Kentucky Derby so the post positions will be the program numbers. Here is a look at post positions, jockeys and odds for the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Second choice in Kentucky Derby betting odds is Colonel John and he will break from post position #10. Pyro is the third choice in Kentucky Derby betting odds and he will break from post position #9.

The maximum number of 20 horses is in the Kentucky Derby field. Just missing out were Halo Najib, Tomcito, El Gato Malo, and Kentucky Bear.

Lexington Statkes winner, Behindatthebar will not be entered in the Kentucky Derby but instead look to the Preakness. The defection of Behindatthebar means that Denis of Cork moves up the earnings list to the 20th spot and will make the Kentucky Derby.

Behindatthebar trainer Todd Pletcher believes that three races in five weeks would be too much for the horse and that the Preakness would be a better fit.

"When you're thinking about a race the magnitude of the Kentucky Derby, you want to give it time and talk it through because it's the only opportunity they'll get," Pletcher said, "We feel like this is the right thing to do for the horse and by doing this hopefully it will pay dividends at the end of the season.''