2017 Kentucky Derby Betting Preview PT 2

Punters will find him trading as low as a 5/1 price tag with several top UK bookmakers while a few others go as high as 7/1.

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Classic Empire had already been on the Derby Trail for a while having conquered last year's Juvenile at Santa Anita in the Breeders' Cup. Many had expected him to really emerge as the stand out selection here and go into the Derby as a short-priced favourite. Instead, you'll see him coming in as the second favourite – having drifted up quite high in the wagering while he was off the Derby trail over the past few months.

He finished a well-beaten third in the Holy Bull on his seasonal debut but then took some time off and about 65 days later, he captured the Arkansas Derby – one of the key prep races that has seen some Derby winners tick that off their list en route to the winners circle at Churchill Downs.

It wasn't so much the victory, but the manner of the victory, that really had punters buzzing about his chances once again. You'll find him priced anywhere from a 5/1 price tag to a 7/1 price tag depending on whom you're wagering with.

The latest big contender to emerge on the scene has been Irap, who came out of the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland – widely considered to be not the best Derby prep in the past since it was formerly run on a synthetic surface that typically didn't translate to a victory at Churchill Downs. Looking ahead, this could be a big star emerging for Reddam Racing – an owner who has taken two out of the last five Kentucky Derbies with I'll Have Another and Nyquist capturing the Roses while wearing the distinct white and purple colours.