As the first Saturday in May quickly approaches, the betting field for the Run for the Roses is taking shape

The Kentucky Derby may be five weeks away but that doesn't mean you have to wait to "head to the windows". Of course, the windows these days are the updated Derby Future Book board online at Bovada.lv.  And nobody will get shut out with over a month to decide on several key race contenders.

Kentucky Derby Odds: Bolt d'Oro Stays on Top

The field for the 2018 Kentucky Derby is starting to take shape. With just over a month before the big race at Churchill Downs on May 5th, Bolt d'Oro and McKinzie currently share the favorite role at +700. Not far off is new shooter Justify at +800. A very interesting choice based on only one win, but certainly a very impressive recent one at Santa Anita. Anyone who witnessed he race would be convinced Justify has great talent, but we'll have to wait for the Santa Anita Derby, where he's likely headed next.

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Bolt d'Oro, a dark bay trained by Mick Ruis and ridden by Javier Castellano, was on top of the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings after winning the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 10 – although he won after McKinzie was penalized by the Santa Anita judges for drifting into Bolt d'Oro's path. Entry for the Kentucky Derby is based on a points system with a maximum of 20 starters into the gate. It's Noble Indy (+2000) with the points lead at press time, following his narrow victory in the Grade 1 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 24.

There are seven remaining U.S. prep races on the "main" road to the Derby, plus the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse in England. Sufficient time for the picture to drastically change plus ample opportunity for other horses to punch their tickets for Louisville.

That would include highly-touted Good Magic (+1400), the reigning Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion. The Chad Brown-trained chestnut colt settled for third place behind Promises Fulfilled (+1600) and Strike Power (+2000) in the G2 Fountain of Youth Stakes on March 3. It was just confirmed that Good Magic will start and be the likely favorite on April 7th at Keeneland Racecourse. A big effort there puts him on top of the favorites list. Therefore, a +1400 (or 14-1) investment now if you like this guy is not a bad idea.

Also, not an unwise strategy is taking a chance on a few others deeper down the list. Avery Island (+3300), Catholic Boy (+2500) and Firenze Fire (+4000) are three highly touted horses that come into mind. The key is doing it NOW before the key Kentucky Derby prep races including the Florida Derby, the Blue Grass and Wood Memorial at Aqueduct are run over the next week or two. A big win by any of these horses significantly drops their odds plus instills bettor confidence they can win the Derby.

Like touting Loyola Chicago two weeks ago in the Final Four, the biggest thrill in predicting the Future Derby winner early is not the potential money you could win, but more the "told you so" factor.

Below is the complete list of Future Book horses for Kentucky Derby on May 5th at Bovada:

• Bolt Doro                +700
• McKinzie                +700
• Justify                     +800
• Audible                 +1000
• Good Magic          +1400
• Gold Town            +1600
• Promises Fulfilled +1600
• Magnum Moon     +1600
• Solomini               +2000
• Enticed                 +2000
• Mask                     +2000
• Strike Power         +2000
• Mendelssohn        +2000
• Dak Attack            +2000
• Noble Indy            +2000
• Free Drop Billy      +2500
• Analyze It              +2500
• Take Charge Tapit+2500
• Catholic Boy         +2500
• Roaring Lion         +2500
• Le Vent Se Leve   +2500
• Avery Island         +3300
• Instilled Regard    +3300
• Montauk               +3300
• Navistar                +3300
• Nero                      +3300
• Saxon Warrior       +3300
• Alkhaatam             +3300
• Mississippi            +3300
• My Boy Jack         +3300
• Firenze Fire           +4000
• Principe Guilherme+4000
• Sporting Chance    +4000
• Combatant              +4000
• Bravazo                  +5000
• Zulfikhar                  +5000
• Tiz Mischief             +5000
• Marconi                   +5000
• Snapper Sinclair     +6600
• The Tabulator         +6600
• Untamed Domain   +8000
• Lone Sailor           +10000
• Hollywood Star     +20000
• Givemeaminit       +20000

Glenn Greene covers the games from a betting angle every week exclusively at OSGA.com. For weekly betting insights, inlcuding previews and picks from Glenn, click here.