2022 Kentucky Derby - Trifecta Picks

The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby takes place Saturday May 7th with post time 6:57 p.m. The Derby has several thoroughbreds that could reach the winner's circle as this year’s field is deep in talent. Every horse racing event offers several different types of wagers and one of the favorites and most common is the trifecta where a bettor must choose correctly the first, second and third finishers.

Win - White Abarrio is currently +1200 to win Saturday. The three-year old has four victories and a third-place finish in his five career starts. Last year, while a 2-year old, White Abarrio won two of his three starts and in early 2022 was victorious in two prep races at Gulfstream Park. White Abarrio is a stalker and will pick the right moment around the turn and early down the stretch to push forward. Tyler Gaffalione, who rode White Abarrio to two victories in prep races, will have his horse in contention as they reach the turn and will pull away down the stretch to win.

Place - Epicenter is the current odds on favorite to win the Kentucky Derby at +500 but will find it tough to hold off the hard charging White Abarrio down the stretch. Epicenter won the Louisiana Derby, which was a Grade II event. Joel Rosario will ride the Steven Asmussen trained Epicenter. Epicenter likes to go out and set the pace and press for a fast pace. Epicenter won three of four prep races for the Derby and finished second by just a head in the fourth. Asmussen is North America’s all-time winningest trainer and has two seconds and two thirds in the Derby. Look for Epicenter to attempt to hold off White Abarrio but will fall short at the wire.

Show - Taiba is at +700 as of Monday prior to the race. Taiba’s odds have remained the same since qualifying for the Derby. Taiba has only two races to date in his career and both have been victories. While Taiba will be as fresh or fresher then the rest of the field, only two races is also a drawback as he has less experience and oddsmakers have not seen the colt enough to have a grasp on his true talent. Veteran jockey Mike Smith will be aboard Taiba on Saturday. Taibo will jump out with Epicenter to help set the pace. The two-time winner was trained by Bob Baffert when he won at Santa Anita, before moving over to Tim Yakteen’s barn after Baffert was suspended for two years at the Derby.