The final weeks leading up to the historic Kentucky Derby are undoubtedly among the most electrifying and suspenseful days in horse racing. With the final preparation races complete and our qualifying colts in line, you can practically feel the thunder of hoof beats across the Churchill Downs dirt; the tender petals of roses draping over broad, sweat soaked withers. The first Saturday in May draws ever nearer, and with each passing moment, the feverish anticipation among fans grows ever higher.
This year, a diverse field of dexterous three-year-old colts have filled the highly coveted twenty starting positions. With such a wide-open field of aptitude, selecting a winner for this year's Kentucky Derby may be more of a challenge then it has been in previous years. For six straight years, the post-time favorite has gone on to win the roses in the Kentucky Derby, the longest streak of it's like in the history of the race. This year's post-tie favorite will look to extend that streak to seven in a row, however, many feel that this year's edition of the race may be primed for an upset.
Will a favorite once again dominate his competitors? Or will an unforeseen challenger sneak away with the win? Let's break down the current field, and where they factor in the race!
- THE FAVORITES -
Omaha Beach
War Front - Charming
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Owner: Fox Hill Farms, Inc.
Winner of the (G1) Arkansas Derby in his most recent start and second on the Kentucky Derby leader board, Omaha Beach will likely, and rightly, be the favorite in this year's edition of the Kentucky Derby. A son of Claiborne Farm's War Front, the bay colt gamely turned back the hard fighting Improbable in the (G1) Arkansas Derby to skip home over the sloppy Oaklawn Park surface. Earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 101 for his effort, the young millionaire looks to become his sire's and trainer's first Kentucky Derby champion.
Tacitus
Tapit - Close Hatches
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: William Mott
Owner: Juddmonte Farms, Inc.
The points leader on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, this strapping son of Gainesway Farm's Tapit holds claim to a nearly spotless career record. He is exiting a win in the (G2) Wood Memorial where he defeated (G3) Withers Stakes winner Tax by 1 1/14 lengths after enduring his heels being clipped by another runner, and several instances of bumping. While he has proven himself amply capable to make it into the Kentucky Derby starting gate, winning will be a challenge, as Tacitus will have to overcome the 'curse' of the Wood Memorial, which has not produced a Kentucky Derby champion since Fusachi Pegasus in 2000. In light of Justify's demolition of the one-hundred-thirty-six-year-old 'Curse of Apollo' last year, anything is possible, and a win here would be the first for his sire and trainer.
Improbable
City Zip - Rare Event
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd. and Starlight Racing
With connections like these riding upon such a well muscled chestnut with a wide, flashy blaze, it is difficult not to have visions of Justify when surveying Improbable. A close runner up behind Omaha Beach in the (G1) Arkansas Derby, Improbable has shown himself to be a furiously gritty contender on the trail. A winner of three of his five starts, this colt has never raced worse than second in his career, and ran valiantly in defeat in the (G1) Arkansas Derby after becoming fractious in the starting gate, being "upset" by his newly added blinkers, taking mud, and charging late after a wide trip. With the blinkers coming back off for the Kentucky Derby, trainer Bob Baffert is reportedly happy that the colt is still in contention for the Derby, and is confident that he will move forward from his effort.
Maximum Security
New Year's Day - Lil Indy
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Jason Servis
Owner: Gary and Mary West
Maximum Security is a horse who, at this stage in his career, has yet to do anything wrong. Unbeaten in four starts, Maximum Security began his career with a 9 3/4-length maiden victory, making his presence known early on. He has since earned his Kentucky Derby hype by winning the (G1) Florida Derby by a clear margin of 3 1/2 lengths, earning one-hundred points on the trail. A son of New Year's Day, the colt looks to stay perfect, much like Justify did in his Kentucky Derby victory last year.
Game Winner
Candy Ride - Indyan Giving
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Gary and Mary West
Last year's Eclipse Award champion two-year-old male, Game Winner made his initial presence known last year, dominating the (G1) Del Mar Futurity, the (G1) American Pharoah, and the (G1) Breeders' Cup Juvenile. While the son of Candy Ride has yet to pick up a victory this season, he has presented two smashing runner-up performances in the (G2) Rebel Stakes, and the (G1) Santa Anita Derby, where he was beaten by a mere nose, and a half-length. He will be entering the Kentucky Derby as one of trainer Bob Baffert's three contenders, all of which have garnered much favoritism among handicappers.
Roadster
Quality Road - Ghost Dancing
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Speedway Stable LLC
He has come a long way from his initial five seconds of fame earned via an article released by tabloid news source TMZ. After asking trainer Bob Baffert who his next Justify or American Pharoah would be, the double Triple Crown winning trainer calmly remarked, "Roadster," which immediately sparked a firestorm of hype from horse racing social media around the colt, who was, at the time, still only an untried maiden. Since that time, Roadster has gone on to win three of his four career starts, including the (G1) Santa Anita Derby, which produced last year's Kentucky Derby winner in Justify. With his current credentials going into the Derby, we will likely see the bold gray son of Quality Road earn co-favoritism as the first Saturday in May draws nearer.
- THE FACTORS -
War of Will
War Front - Visions of Clarity
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Mark Casse
Owner: Gary Barber
Back-to-back winner of the (G3) LeComte and (G2) Risen Star, War of Will earned much favoritism early on the trail. However, it was in the (G2) Louisianna Derby that things took a turn for the son of War Front. Shortly after the break, the colt appeared to stumble and take several missteps, which ended in him ultimately finishing ninth. It was later found that the incident was due to a 'strain of the patellar ligament.' After bouncing back into training less than a week after the (G2) Louisiana Derby, War of Will has progressed splendidly following his rough final Kentucky Derby prep. The biggest question for the strapping wide blazed colt is whether or not he will be the War of Will of old?
Vekoma
Candy Ride - Mona De Momma
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: George Weaver
Owner: R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables
Vekoma has found a good deal of success in his short career span. Winner of the (G3) Nashua Stakes and most recently the (G2) Blue Grass Stakes, Vekoma's lone defeat came in the (G2) Fountain of Youth, where he placed third. Interestingly enough, Good Magic, winner of the (G2) Blue Grass Stakes last year, also preceded his victory at Keeneland with a third place finish in the (G2) Fountain of Youth before going on to finish second in the Kentucky Derby.
Win Win Win
Hat Trick - Miss Smarty Pants
Jockey: Julian Pimentel
Trainer: Michael Trombetta
Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Never off the board in his career of six starts, this young Florida-bred was second in the (G2) Blue Grass Stakes behind Vekoma in his most recent start. A solid contender in this race, don't leave him out of your wagers.
Cutting Humor
First Samurai - Pun
Jockey: To be announced
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Starlight Racing
Winner of the (G3) Sunland Park Derby in track record time, Cutting Humor is a Todd Pletcher trainee to watch for in the Kentucky Derby field. Off the board in only one of his six career starts, this colt possesses ability and speed.
Tax
Arch - Toll
Junior Alvarado
Danny Gargan
Owner: R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Lynch, Hugh and Corms Racing Stable
An ultra consistent colt in five starts, this young gelding has never been off the board. Exiting a second-place finish in the (G2) Wood Memorial behind Tacitus, Tax's figures have improved with each of his outings.
Spinoff
Hard Spun - Zaftig
Jockey: To be announced
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Owner: Wertheimer and Frere
Todd Pletcher's second entry into the Kentucky Derby, this son of Hard Spun has been impressive in his relatively modest career span. With a 2-1-1 career record in four starts, his most recent start yielded a second-place finish in the (G2) Louisiana Derby.
Long Range Toddy
Take Charge Indy - Pleasant Song
Jockey: Jon Court
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Owner: Willis Horton Racing LLC
Upset winner of the (G2) Rebel Stakes over Improbable, Long Range Toddy is one of the more experienced colts entering the Kentucky Derby, with eight total starts under his girth strap. With over $850,000 in earnings, Long Range Toddy is out to prove that he is more than a fluke.
- ADDITIONAL CONTENDERS -
Gray Magician
Graydar - Burg Berg
Jockey: To be announced
Trainer: Peter Miller
Owner: Wachtel Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Barber, Gary
Country House
Lookin At Lucky - Quake Lake
Jockey: To be announced
Trainer: William Mott
Owner: Shields, Jr., Mrs. J. V., McFadden, Jr., E. J. M. and LNJ Foxwoods
Haikal
Daaher - Sablah
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Owner: Shadwell Stable
Plus Que Parfait
Point Of Entry - Belvedera
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Owner: Imperial Racing, LLC
Master Fencer
Just A Way - Sexy Zamurai
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Trainer: K. Tsunoda
Owner: Katsumi Yoshizawa
Code of Honor
Noble Mission - Reunited
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III
Owner: W.S. Farish
By My Standards
Goldencents - A Jealous Woman
Jockey: Gabriel Saez
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
Owner: Allied Racing Stable, LLC
Who will win the Kentucky Derby?
We're excited to find out as the run for the roses approaches!