Destin can win the 142nd Kentucky Derby because…

May 06, 2016 Jennifer Caldwell/Brisnet.com

…underdogs outperform all expectations and Destin is an underdog.

The gray son of Giant’s Causeway has been favored only once in his five-race career, with that coming after his debut maiden win at Belmont Park last October.

Destin proved second best in his first try against winners as the 1-5 favorite at Gulfstream Park on December 18. Next out he traveled to Fair Grounds, where he suffered his worse finish to date when fourth in the January 16 Lecomte (G3) while making his 2016 bow.

The Todd Pletcher trainee then shipped to Tampa Bay Downs for the Sam F. Davis (G3) and prevailed in that February 13 contest by 2 1/4 lengths. He made his first repeat run over a track when going in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 12, scoring a one-length triumph despite being bumped at the start and running three wide in the lane.

All that adds up to Destin being a well-educated little colt. He has experience traveling and adapting to new conditions and environments. He’s also already overcome a bit of adversity, thanks to that bumping incident in the Tampa Bay Derby.

That’ll all come in handy on Saturday when he faces a 20-strong field of sophomores as well as 150,000+ fans.

The noise, excitement and capacity field have derailed the chances of more qualified runners in the past and could do so again in the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby, leaving the way clear for Destin to pick up the win.