2022 Kentucky Derby Odds, Picks, Betting Analysis: Taiba
One of the more fascinating horses in the 2022 Kentucky Derby field is Taiba.
The 3-year-old colt has an interesting backstory. He was previously trained by renown horse trainer Bob Baffert, who will not be attending this year’s derby after the controversy surrounding last year’s winner, Medina Spirit. The now deceased horse was stripped of his derby victory after testing positive for a steroid shortly after the race.
Taiba is one of two former Baffert horses (the other being Messier), who was transferred to trainer Tim Yakteen, a former assistant of Baffert’s, leading up to the race.
With just two races under his belt, is the 12/1 Taiba a horse to watch Saturday afternoon?
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Taiba Betting Information
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: Mike Smith
Past results: Two victories in two appearances
Post position: 12th
Taiba has just two starts under his belt, but has made the most of them. He won his first race by six furlongs, then won the Santa Anita Derby in impressive fashion.
The question is whether his inexperience really matters. Taiba isn’t the first horse to start the Kentucky Derby with just two prior appearances. In fact, two horses have won the derby in the last 15 years with only two prior starts under their belts: Justify in 2018 and Big Brown in 2008.
A clean start will be key for Taiba, and that’s certainly possible coming out of the 12th position. In both of his wins, Taiba jumped out to a hot start and never looked back. If he gets caught in the scrum of the 20-horse field, then Taiba could wind up not even hitting the board.
And while Taiba’s inexperience is a factor, he’ll have a legend riding him Saturday afternoon. Jockey Mike Smith is a two-time derby winner and one of the most accomplished jockeys of all-time. Smith was aboard Taiba during his Santa Anita win, so there’s also familiarity between jockey and horse.
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Betting preview and prediction:
Taiba feels like a boom or bust horse. He has the potential to win it all, but he also could finish well outside of the money if he doesn’t start well. However, if Baffert was the listed trainer, his odds simply wouldn’t be this low. Taiba is a horse I’m interested in taking to win the race, as he’s got great talent, great pedigree (he’s a descendant of Gun Runner) and a trusted jockey in Smith. At 12/1 odds, Taiba is worth a shot to win the run for the roses.
And check out our previews for the other top horses of the 2022 Kentucky Derby:
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