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Kentucky Derby 2016 picks: Mor Spirit, Nyquist among top finishers

Nyquist isn't the only horse getting love from analysts before the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby experts have chimed in with their predictions for the 142nd running of the big event at Churchill Downs. With a field led by the undefeated Nyquist, who is going off as a 3-1 favorite in the recent odds, the race on Saturday is sure to be a great one.

Horse racing caught the attention of the world last year with the incredible Triple Crown run of American Pharoah, which started with a big win at the Derby. It was the first Triple Crown since the back-to-back honors in 1977-78 by Seattle Slew and Affirmed. Since then, American Pharoah is the only Derby winner to go on and win the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

Nyquist has been dominant in the lead up to this year's race, including an impressive victory at the Florida Derby in early April that helped affirm his place as the favorite. He's trailed in the odds by Exaggerator, who is going off at 8-1 odds, followed by Mohaymen, Gun Runner and Creator, who each have 10-1 odds.

Over at KentuckyDerby.com, some prominent analysts have made their predictions for how the field will stack up. None of the analysts pick Nyquist to pull through after earning a somewhat unfavorable pole position, while two expect Mor Spirit to surprise from 12-1 odds and earn the victory. Mohaymen, Exaggerator and Destin also get winner picks.

Place Josh Asher
Jill Byrne
Ed DeRosa
James Scully
Joe Kristufek
1 Mohaymen Mor Spirit
Exagerrator
Mor Spirit
Destin
2 Mor Spirit
Nyquist Mor Spirit
Gun Runner
Nyquist
3 Nyquist Gun Runner
Gun Runner
Nyquist
Outwork
4 Gun Runner
Destin Whitmore
Exaggerator
Mohaymen
5 Exaggerator Mohaymen Nyquist
Creator
Danzing Candy
6 Brody's Cause
Creator Shagaf
Suddenbreakingnews
Suddenbreakingnews
7 Creator Outwork
Outwork
Outwork
Mor Spirit
8 My Man Sam
My Man Sam
Creator
Brody's Cause
Exaggerator
9 Mo Tom
Exaggerator
Suddenbreakingnews
Majesto
Mo Tom
10 Whitmore
Lani
Mo Tom
Shagaf
Gun Runner

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2016 Kentucky Derby odds, presented by a horse

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