Irap Kentucky Derby Odds
After pulling off a shocker in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, can Irap contend this Saturday in the 2017 Kentucky Derby?
Irap listed among contenders
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, Irap is currently 11/2 to win the Kentucky Derby this weekend. Always Dreaming remains the favorite at 14/5, followed by McCraken at 4/1, then Irap at his current odds of 11/2. Thus, Irap is considered by oddsmakers to have a fighter’s chance of winning at Churchill Downs this Saturday.
Continuing with the odds, Gunnevera is 8/1 to win the Kentucky Derby, as is Irish War Cry. Practicial Joke is 9/1, followed by Girvin and Gormley at 15/1, respectively. Lookin’ At Lee is 18/1, while Hence, Tapwrit and Thunder Snow are 20/1, respectively. J Boys Echo is 25/1.
Irap coming off win at Keeneland Race Course
Irap was a 31/1 long shot to win the 2017 Toyota Blue Grass on April 8 but that’s exactly what he did. Of importance is the fact that he beat second-place finisher Practical Joke, as well as McCraken, who finished third at Keeneland Race Course. Irap held off a late charge from dual Grade 1 winner Practical Joke to prevail by a three-quarters of a length. He tallied 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.
That said, Irap had gone winless in seven career starts prior to the Blue Grass. He did run second at Sunland Park in New Mexico, finishing behind Conquest Mo Money in the Mine That Bird Derby. He also has a fourth-place showing in the Grade 3 Sunland Derby on March 26.
Can the J. Paul Reddam team do it again?
The team of owner J. Paul Reddam and trainer Doug O’Neill have won the Kentucky Derby twice, so Irap should be in the mix this Saturday at Churchill Downs. The problem is that the colt built a reputation before the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes as a contender that finished second, third or fourth. In his previous starts, Irap finished no closer than two lengths behind the winner and he could have a tougher time pressing the pace at the Derby.