The countdown to the 152nd Kentucky Derby is officially on, and the excitement is building as the "Run for the Roses" approaches on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs. With a post time of 6:57 p.m. ET, this year's field is packed with top contenders, led by the 4-1 favorite Renegade, trained by the legendary Todd A. Pletcher. Pletcher, who boasts over 5,700 career wins, is gunning for his third Derby victory, with his last triumph coming in 2017. He previously won the Derby in 2010, and now all eyes are on Renegade to see if he can deliver another classic performance.
Renegade isn't the only horse to watch, though. The field is deep with talent, including Further Ado and Commandment, both sitting at 6-1 odds, while Chief Wallabee comes in at 8-1. The Puma is a solid 10-1 pick, and So Happy and Emerging Market round out the contenders at 15-1. Note that Fulleffort has been scratched and replaced by Ocelli, a longshot at 50-1. With so many horses in the mix, finding the right bets can be a challenge, but one expert has a proven track record of picking winners.
Enter Gene Menez, a former Sports Illustrated reporter and editor with nearly 14 years of experience covering horse racing. Menez has a knack for spotting value and making bold predictions that pay off big. Back in 2010, he correctly predicted Super Saver to win the Kentucky Derby, and in 2015, he nailed the superfecta—American Pharoah, Firing Line, Dortmund, and Frosted—which paid a whopping $1,268.20 for a $2 bet. In 2017, he tweeted out his Derby picks, including Always Dreaming to win, and hit the Pick 4 for nearly $6,900 on a $1 bet. More recently, in 2024, he gave out 18-1 longshot Mystik Dan as a live contender.
Menez's expertise extends beyond the Derby. In 2024, he crushed the late Pick 4 on Breeders' Cup Saturday for a $5,303 windfall, and earlier that year, he nailed the winner, trifecta, and superfecta in the Florida Derby for a $529.60 score. He also hit the winner and trifecta in the Blue Grass Stakes for a $761.96 jackpot and scored a $915.48 payout on the late Pick 4 during Kentucky Oaks day. But his biggest highlight came in last year's Kentucky Derby, where he hammered the exacta and trifecta for a $1,045 payout. And just this year, on Fountain of Youth day, he struck big again.
Whether you're a seasoned bettor or a casual fan looking to add some excitement to Derby day, Menez's insights offer a winning edge. For the best value, don't forget to use the exclusive TwinSpires offer code CBSSPORTS to receive up to $400 in bonus bets—double what's available to the general public. With the right picks and a bit of luck, you could be celebrating a big win as the horses thunder down the stretch at Churchill Downs.