Kentucky Derby Odds: “Speed King” Keep Shining

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Kentucky Derby Odds and News

Speed King Shocks Southwest Stakes Field with 14-1 Upset

The Road to the Kentucky Derby added another surprise twist Saturday at Oaklawn Park, as Speed King scored a 14-1 upset in the Grade 3, $1 million Southwest Stakes. 

This Kentucky Derby Prep Race offered crucial qualifying points for the Derby, and Speed King capitalized on a trouble-filled trip for many of his rivals to lead wire-to-wire in the 1 1/16-mile contest.

For Kentucky Derby betting enthusiasts, Speed King’s victory further emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the trail, where emerging contenders can disrupt the established Kentucky Derby odds.

Dominance from Start to Finish

Owned by Triton Thoroughbreds and trained by Ron Moquett, Speed King set steady fractions of 24.11, 47.82, 1:12.23, and 1:39.15 under jockey Rafael Bejarano. He completed the race in 1:45.86 on a fast main track, holding off late challenges to win by one length. 

This victory awarded Speed King 20 points toward Derby qualification, bringing his total to 25 following his runner-up finish in the Remington Springboard Mile last month.

Speed King’s win wasn’t without drama. In a chaotic stretch run, Sandman (6-1) stumbled badly at the start, rallied late, and bumped with odds-on favorite Patch Adams (4-5), who eventually faded to fourth. Tiztastic (16-1) took third, finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind Sandman. Monet’s Magic (44-1) rounded out the top five.

Inquiry Alters Final Standings

A stewards’ inquiry after the race resulted in American Promise (21-1) being demoted from sixth to seventh for forcing Publisher (53-1) into the rail before the eighth pole. Publisher was subsequently promoted to sixth. Gaming (2-1), ranked early and forced to check near the first turn, struggled to find his rhythm and settled for eighth. Bon Temps (83-1) trailed the field in the ninth.

Payouts and Points

Speed King paid $30.60 to win, $12.00 to place, and $7.20 to show. Sandman returned $7.40 and $5.20, while Tiztastic paid $8.40 to show. The top five finishers earned Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale, giving Speed King a significant boost on the leaderboard.

A Rising Contender

Speed King debuted as a winner at Churchill Downs in November and has steadily improved with each race. Saturday’s triumph solidifies his position as a serious contender on the Derby trail. For bettors tracking the evolving Kentucky Derby odds, his consistency and ability to overcome challenges make him a horse to watch as the prep season unfolds.