HORSE RACING

Happy Jack Outclassed in Kentucky Derby

The 2022 Kentucky Derby is May 7th, and 20 of the top 3-year-olds will Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs. Which horses should you bet on at TVG?

The 2022 Kentucky Derby is on May 7th with post time at 6:57 p.m. ET. Using TVG projections and Horse Racing Nation as a guide, here are the horse profiles for America’s biggest and most popular race.

New players, get your first win-type wager on a single horse in any race at any track risk-free up to $200 with TVG: Bet the Derby!

As always, check the program for racing information after the post position draw on May 2nd, and monitor the weather and track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure and BRIS and Beyer speed figures, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)

#2 Happy Jack

Morning Line Odds: 30/1
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Trained by Doug O'Neill and ridden by jockey Rafael Bejarano, Happy Jack was installed at 30/1 on the morning line odds breaking from post No. 2 between leading Derby contenders Mo Donegal and Epicenter. His best finish in three graded stakes starts is a very distant third in the Santa Anita Derby.

Happy Jack has not shown or possessed the speed or ability to make a mark in the 2022 Kentucky Derby. His best Beyer Speed Figure is 83 and best BRIS Speed Rating in 97.

History shows that 27 of the last 30 Kentucky Derby winners (90.0%) have entered the race with a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of at least 95. And 18 of the past 22 Kentucky Derby winners (81.8%) had a BRIS Speed Rating of at least 100 prior to the race.