Horse Racing Writer: Don't Count Out Long Shots At Kentucky Derby

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- This could be one of those years when a long shot horse emerges as the Kentucky Derby winner, New York Times horse racing writer Joe Drape said Wednesday.

"There's a very solid, deserving favorite in Nyquist -- 7-for-7, 2-year-old champion, beaten all comers in impressive fashion," Drape told WFAN's Mike Francesa. "It was going to be the favorite, and favorites have won this race now for three years in a row.

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"We've got about four or five contenders, but I've got a feel this year that this is a Giacomo, Animal Kingdom, Mine That Bird year (in which long shots won). I would not be surprised if something lights up the board (at) 25-, 50-to-1."

Drape said there aren't a lot of particularly fast horses this year and there are too many closers in the field.

Drape also discussed his new book "American Pharoah: The Untold Story of the Triple Crown Winner's Legendary Rise."

"The foundation was it's an extraordinarily engineered, put-together horse -- balance and confirmation impeccable, an efficient stride," Drape said of American Pharoah. "And it was recognizable as early as 4 months old."

To listen to the full interview, click on the audio player above.