Bodemeister was the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby, but Union Rags got the nod from bettors in advance wagering Friday.
When Friday betting closed on the East Coast, $670,644 had been bet, according to KentuckyDerby.com, and Union Rags was the favorite at 5-1 odds, up a tick from his 9-2 morning line. Bodemeister had floated up to 8-1 from his 4-1 morning line.
Bodemeister was the co-second choice with Gemologist and Take Charge Indy, also at 8-1. Take Charge Indy, winner of the Florida Derby five weeks ago, was the big mover in the early betting. He was 15-1 on the morning line.
The only other runners with single-digit odds were Dullahan and Hansen, both at 9-1.
Though the early betting can be an indicator of where the public is leaning, the money bet Friday is a drop in the bucket of what is to come Saturday. Total betting handle on the Kentucky Derby last year was $112 million.
