Kentucky Derby horse-by-horse analysis

DraftKings sportsbook director Johnny Avello handicaps the 20-horse field in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

They tried him on turf early in his career and he didn't adhere to that surface. He has excelled on dirt. His last outing, in the Louisiana Derby, was a horrible race. The No. 1 post is a killer.

Tax, Alvarado and Tapit are the favourites for the Kentucky Derby. Kiaran McLaughlin is a contender. Jason Servis is having a phenomenal year. He has won three straight races. He is training by Bill Mott, who has never won the Derby, but he won in Dubai. Houdini is questionable to make it to the starting gate. His trainer is Todd Pletcher. The horse has a foot abscess. It's possible he might try to steal the race. If so, he needs to improve his performance. I would like to see Kiantan win the derby.

Code of Honor, Velazquez, 10-1, is the third horse in the race for five-time Kentucky Derby winner Baffert. Omaha Beach, no one is talking about, has shown improvement in four straight starts. He won a maiden special weight in Risen Star and Arkansas Derby. He finished second in Louisiana Derby after being bumped at the start. His last outing was dreadful. The conditions were unfavorable. If he can't break clean and get close to the lead early, I don't see much hope. It might be a quagmire with weather and traffic issues.