CashCall Futurity May Produce New 2014 Kentucky Derby Favorite

Honor Code is the current 10-1 early betting favorite for the 2014 Kentucky Derby according to odds posted at Bovada, but we could have a new favorite after the running of the $750,000 CashCall Futurity at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Two of the top five betting favorites for the Run for the Roses will be in action on Saturday, with Shared Belief the 7-2 morning line favorite for the race and currently second choice on the Bovada betting line for the Derby at 20-1. Tap It Rich is currently listed at 25-1 at Bovada and is the 9-2 co-third choice in the CashCall Futurity.

This is the final year the CashCall Futurity will be contested. Hollywood Park is closing for good on Dec. 22. The race was part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby last year but despite the strong field, there are no points up for grabs this year.

Here are my top pick three selections for the race:

Tap It Rich was fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) last out which was his first start against winners. He was sent off as the 3-1 second choice off just a maiden win in his debut. The colt was off a step slow, was rank heading down the backstretch while trying to get out, raced wide into the stretch and did not have enough punch left late, beaten 3 1/4 lengths for the top spot by his stablemate New Year's Day.

The colt was a good-looking maiden winner in his debut going a mile on the main track at Santa Anita, with the runner up Candy Boy a next out grad on Nov. 22. The $510,000 Keeneland purchase is bred to like the fake stuff, by Tapit out of a Mr. Prospector mare that has dropped four other winners led by multiple graded stakes winner Adriano ($728,510). Trainer Bob Baffert has won this race six times including three of the last five. Our top pick has been working sharply since his last outing and still appears to have a ton of upside.

Tamarando is one of two in here sent out by the Jerry Hollendorfer barn. The colt is one of two Grade 1 winners in the field, winning the Del Mar Futurity back in September. Last out he came with a four wide run and finished strongly to win the Real Quiet over the Hollywood Park main track.

It looks as if he is going to get some pace to run at and just needs a clean trip to be right in the mix. He is a half to a couple of stakes winners, top earner Luckarack ($497,585). The colt is currently listed at 75-1 in early Derby betting at Bovada.

Shared Belief is the other Hollendorfer runner in here and this guy may end up going off as the betting favorite. He has not been tested in two starts around one turn. He broke his maiden going seven furlongs at Golden Gate Fields in his debut and then last out won the Hollywood Prevue (G2) over a couple of runners he faces again today, drawing away to win by 7 3/4 lengths.

This will be is first trip around two turns, but he has enough pedigree to handle the extra ground. He is by Candy Ride out of a Storm Cat mare that has dropped six other winners including Grade 3 winner Little Miss Holly ($217,430). The barn is 24% winners moving runners from sprint to route.

For the latest Kentucky Derby odds go to Bovada.