Kentucky Derby odds: Brooklyn Strong a longshot among 2021 horses

From a sports perspective, New York and Philadelphia never see eye to eye.

That could possibly change this Saturday at the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Brooklyn Strong trains at Parx in Bensalem, just outside of Philadelphia, under the watchful eye of Danny Velazquez, and is owned by Brooklyn native Mark Schwartz.

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Brooklyn Strong’s ownership group just learned this week that it would get the chance to participate in the Run for the Roses. He was ranked 23rd in the Derby points leaderboard but due to a number of dropouts Brooklyn Strong has cracked the field of 20 and gets the opportunity of a lifetime to compete in horse racing’s most iconic event.

2021 Kentucky Derby post positions, odds

Known Agenda - 6-1
Like the King - 50-1
Brooklyn Strong - 50-1
Keepmeinmind - 50-1
Sainthood - 50-1
O Besos - 20-1
Mandaloun - 15-1
Medina Spirit - 15-1
Hot Rod Charlie - 8-1
Midnight Bourbon - 20-1
Dynamic One - 20-1
Helium - 50-1
Hidden Stash - 50-1
Essential Quality - 2-1
Rock Your World - 5-1
King Fury - 20-1
Highly Motivated - 10-1
Super Stock - 30-1
Soup and Sandwich - 30-1
Bourbonic - 30-1

Philadelphia is no stranger to underdogs… just ask Chris Long and Lane Johnson.

The early line is not giving Brooklyn Strong, who will break the gate out of post position 3, much of a chance to win the race with the longest odds on the board at 50-1. Five other horses are also listed with those same odds while the favorite Essential Quality is listed at 2-1.

MORE: Kentucky Derby records and facts | Brooklyn Strong's Philly connection

By no means at this point should there be any comparisons of Brooklyn Strong to past local Derby champs like Smarty Jones (2004) and Barbaro (2006).

However, here’s a little connection to think about: Smarty trained out of Philadelphia Park (now Parx) as well, and both Brooklyn Strong and Barbaro notched their first wins in their maiden race at Delaware Park. Furthermore, the last horse to win the Kentucky Derby out of post 3 is the aforementioned Barbaro, albeit his odds were only 6-1.

So Brooklyn Strong has his work cut out for him this Saturday. And maybe, just maybe, Philadelphia and New York can join together and raise up a celebratory mint julep with hopes of seeing the number 3 horse cross the wire first.