May 4, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Derby entrant Gormley exercises during morning workouts at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
(Reuters) - The absence of a dominant horse suggests an open race in Saturday's 143rd Kentucky Derby and punters should not overlook Patch and the longshots in the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.
Classic Empire, at 4-1, is the narrow early line favourite in the opener of the U.S. Triple Crown for three-year-old thoroughbreds, followed by Always Dreaming and McCracken at 5-1 with Irish War Cry a 6-1 choice in the 20-horse field.
