In 2020, Churchill Downs installed a 20-stall starting gate for the Kentucky Derby field that replaced a modified 14-stall mechanism. After the switch, Authentic won from the 15th post in 2020, but the best finish from a horse positioned higher than 14th last year was Highly Motivated, who started from post No. 10. In the Kentucky Derby 2022 on Saturday, White Abarrio is the top horse beyond the 14th spot at 10-1 in the latest 2022 Kentucky Derby odds. He’ll run from the No. 15 post, just as Authentic did two years ago, which could make him one of the popular 2022 Kentucky Derby contenders. The 2022 Kentucky Derby post time is 6:57 p.m. ET. With the Kentucky Derby 2022 featuring the largest field in North American racing, you’ll want to see what astute racing reporter and analyst Michelle Yu has to say before making any 2022 Kentucky Derby picks.

Few people in racing are as connected as Yu. An on-air host and reporter who has provided racing analysis for TVG, HRTV and the Breeders’ Cup, Yu has spent a lifetime in racing. Prior to her television career, she worked for trainers Steve Asmussen and Ron Moquett. She also is married to Santa Anita-based trainer Ryan Hanson.

She also has tremendous handicapping chops. In the 2011 Kentucky Derby, she correctly tabbed Animal Kingdom to win at a hefty 21-1. In the 2017 Breeders’ Cup, she nailed 11-1 long shot Wuheida to win the Filly and Mare Turf. Last year in a wide-open Kentucky Derby, she gave out Medina Spirit, who crossed the finish line first, as the winner at 12-1.

Since joining SportsLine in November, her picks have cashed in six of 12 races, including the exacta in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  On Friday, she nailed the 2022 Kentucky Oaks winner, Secret Oath. Anyone who has followed her is way up.

Now, Yu has handicapped the 2022 Kentucky Derby odds, made her picks and constructed her bets. Click here to see them.

Top 2022 Kentucky Derby predictions

One surprise: Yu is tossing Messier, even though he is one of the top 2022 Kentucky Derby favorites at 8-1. In fact, Yu says Messier barely cracks the top 10. One of the knocks on Messier is his performance when he is not setting the pace or among the horses that are.

Even though Messier has received positive reviews for his workouts heading into the Kentucky Derby 2022, other horses like Epicenter, Zandon, and Zozos have all drawn the same or better Beyer Speed Figures in their most recent ratings. Taiba, who snatched a win away from Messier in the Santa Anita Derby on April 9, also nearly matched his previous speed figure of 103 while taking the victory. Taiba’s performance showed that even if Messier is the one setting the pace, that doesn’t guarantee a win.

Instead, Yu is high on Cyberknife, even though he is a 20-1 long shot. Cyberknife has raced three times this year and won his last two, including a breakthrough performance in the Arkansas Derby. He has the pedigree you’re looking for since his sire, Gun Runner, won numerous stakes races as a three-year-old and finished in the money at the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Cyberknife also has the peripherals that have portended Kentucky Derby success in the past, as he won his last race and is coming off the ideal five-week layoff. His connections are also stellar, as trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux won the Kentucky Derby last year with Mandaloun. “He looks like a complete pro, and his last two works at Churchill have been impressive both visually and on the clock,” Yu told SportsLine. “His pedigree is perfect, and he’s got a great story.”

How to make 2022 Kentucky Derby picks, bets

Yu’s top pick is an overlooked horse who has the “speed to press and has top connections.” Yu is also high on an enormous long shot who is her “must-use-in-exotics horse.” She said this colt “has shown race after race that he belongs in the Kentucky Derby.” She is including these horses in her 2022 Kentucky Derby bets, and so should you. She’s sharing which horses to back only at SportsLine.

2022 Kentucky Derby odds, horses, post positions

 

Program #	Horse	Odds	Projection
1	Mo Donegal	10-1	SEE PICKS
2	Happy Jack	30-1	SEE PICKS
3	Epicenter	7-2	SEE PICKS
4	Summer is Tomorrow	30-1	SEE PICKS
5	Smile Happy	20-1	SEE PICKS
6	Messier	8-1	SEE PICKS
7	Crown Pride	20-1	SEE PICKS
8	Charge It	20-1	SEE PICKS
9	Tiz the Bomb	30-1	SEE PICKS
10	Zandon	3-1	SEE PICKS
11	Pioneer of Medina	30-1	SEE PICKS
12	Taiba	12-1	SEE PICKS
13	Simplification	20-1	SEE PICKS
14	Barber Road	30-1	SEE PICKS
15	White Abarrio	10-1	SEE PICKS
16	Cyberknife	20-1	SEE PICKS
17	Classic Causeway	30-1	SEE PICKS
18	Tawny Port	30-1	SEE PICKS
19	Zozos	20-1	SEE PICKS
20	Rich Strike	30-1	SEE PICKS