The inclusion of Taiba in this year's Kentucky Derby seems to have something of a polarizing effect, though there can't be much argument among BetOnline racebook players about his talent.

Let's take a look at the Kentucky Derby odds as they stand right now, keeping in mind that they are subject to change.

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

(#20, Ethereal Road, was scratched)

Taiba begins with controversy, as he is, for all intents and purposes, trained by Bob Baffert, who is currently serving a 90-day suspension that has forced him to make moves like turning his charges over to an assistant, Tim Yakteen, who has also been training Messier, another Derby entrant people are affording some respect.

Taiba has only two races to his credit, but they have been spectacular. He debuted with a 7.5-length win in a maiden race at Santa Anita, then took a huge step up by entering into the Santa Anita Derby, outdueling Messier down the stretch

Two races. Two wins. And he registered Beyer Speed Figures of 103 and 102, which are tops in this field. Andy Beyer himself has stated that Taiba is the best horse in the field, and "the freakiest horse of his generation."

Yet Beyer believes it is a big mistake for his connections to race him here. He even feels it was a mistake to go into the Santa Anita Derby. despite the result. He just feels that he's being pushed - mostly by the owner, Amr Zedan, the Saudi billionaire - too soon, and will pay the price over time.

As a long-term proposition, that might turn out to be correct. And precedent works again him; he did not race as a two-year old, and no horse has won the Derby with only two starts since 1883.

But let's keep in mind that Derby entrants these days are raced relatively lightly - none of the starters have more than eight races under their belt - and with the size of the field, this tends to be a roll of the dice. Doesn't it help to have superior talent on your side?

On the "con" side for Taiba, aside from the lack of experience and the possibility that he is not ready, is that unless he is successful in getting close to the front, he may get caught up in traffic, which is foreign to him.

On the "pro" side, he's been highly successful in "punching up" and once again has Mike Smith in the saddle. The Hall of Famer has two Kentucky Derby wins to his credit, including Justify, who won the Santa Anita Derby in just his third race and then won the next three to capture the Triple Crown in 2018.

Sure, ultimately Taiba might be done in by the fact that he just hasn't had to fight off a lot of challengers in a crowded field. But you know, the other horse Yakteen trains (Messier) has NEVER been in a race with more than five other horses.

Messier still ran a very credible race in the Santa Anita Derby. has improved his speed rating each and every time out, and has John Velasquez aboard.

Maybe there's a chance. But Taiba might be the great unearthed treasure in the Kentucky Derby. Could he really be a "monster" as some people have described him? If he is, he's going to outclass this field, as good as it is.

That's an intriguing - and exciting - thing to look forward to.

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