Runaway Withers winner was expected to repeat in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct's same distance, but was a nose short as the 8-5 favorite. The Wood hasn't produced the Derby winner since Funny Cide in 2003, but did springboard last year's Preakness winner Early Voting and Belmont winner Mo Donegal.
Blue Grass Stakes runner-up by a neck could be part of the early pace in the Triple Crown series. Son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify has yet to win a stakes in 4 attempts. Could join Forte and Blazing Sevens as the only '22 Breeders' Cup Juvenile alumni in this year's Derby field.
Graded stakes winner at ages 2 and 3, he comes off his signature victory in the Jeff Ruby at Turfway. He's won on dirt and the Tapeta synthetic surface. First Triple Crown appearance for Midwest-based jockey and trainer.
Oaklawn's Rebel Stakes winner has not competed since February 25, a 10-week layoff that's never been successful in winning the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Desormeaux won the 2016 Preakness with Exaggerator, that year's Derby runner-up. His mother (dam) is half-sister to the legendary champion Zenyatta.
Tampa Bay Derby and Blue Grass Stakes winner has won 4 straight races with a strong-finishing style. The $1.3 million yearling purchase is by far the most expensive horse in this year's Derby field. Fusaichi Pegasus (2000) remains the only Derby winner to sell for 7 figures.
Only unbeaten runner heading into this year's Kentucky Derby, he made the class rise with success in the Louisiana Derby to get here. Wire-to-wire winner that day of America's longest Triple Crown prep race at 1-3/16 miles (Preakness distance). Regret, Big Brown & Justify won the Derby as 3-3 unbeatens.
Winner of January's Sham Stakes while with trainer Bob Baffert, but transferred to Yakteen barn due to Baffert's 2-year Kentucky Derby suspension. Subsquently third in the Rebel and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Sire Good Magic also has Mage and Blazing Sevens in potential Derby lineup.
Impressive January 28 debut winner at Gulfstream Park has taken the fast track to the Derby with only 3 starts. Finished fourth in the Fountan of Youth and second in the Florida Derby, cutting nearly 6 lengths of his margin vs. Forte in his last start. Grandson of Preakness winner Curlin and Derby winner Big Brown.
Late-running Santa Anita Derby third-place finish is from the same trainer who upset the 2005 Kentucky Derby with 50-1 Giacomo. Connections change jockeys from Victor Espinoza to Juan Hernandez, looking for a better style fit for this closer. Sire Curlin won the 2007 Preakness and was third in the Kentucky Derby.
Scored a heart-pounding win in a 3-way photo in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby to sweep California's top 2 spring races, following up on March's San Felipe stylish victory. Running style keeps him in close contact to the leaders under Triple Crown rookie rider Vazquez.
Earned Derby qualifying points in final race of prep series, finishing third in the Lexington to propel him into the field. Runner-up in the Louisiana Derby has just a 7-furlong sprint win at Saratoga in his win column. Trainer Asmussen has more wins than any in North American history, including Preakness & Belmont scores, but no Derby wins to date.
Won Fair Grounds' Gun Runner Stakes in December and was third there in the Louisiana Derby. Has experience at Churchill with a third-place finsih in the Iroquois Stakes at age 2. Ownership group includes West Point Thoroughbreds, part-owners of 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline.
Kentucky-based trainer McPeek won the Preakness (Swiss Skydiver) and Belmont (Sarava), but looks for his first Derby. Late-running 4th-place finisher in the Blue Grass Stakes was runner-up in the Risen Star in February and looks for his first career stakes win.
Top southern sophomore won Fair Grounds' Risen Star and Oaklawn's Arkansas Derby, making him a rare, 2-time winner at 1-1/8 miles already this season. Son of Classic Empire, who ran 4th in Kentucky Derby and 2nd in Preakness in 2017.
Champion 2-Year-Old of 2022 has won 5 straight, including 4 Grade 1 stakes. His streak culminated with a thrilling Florida Derby rally at Gulfstream Park. He has been the favored individual entry in each Kentucky Derby Future Wager of 2023 and expected favorite on the first Saturday in May.
The only Gotham Stakes winner to win the Kentucky Derby was Secretariat, fitting that this is his 50th anniversary to his Triple Crown glory. Both career wins have been in 1-turn races, and he's 0-3 around 2 turns, including a no-threat 5th in the Blue Grass.
The most accomplished of the Japanese contingent, he's the winner of the UAE Derby, third-place finisher in the Saudi Derby and multiple stakes winner in his homeland. UAE Derby alumni are 0-17 in the Kentucky Derby. Led wire-to-wire in Dubai and should be part of the early pace.
Gulfstream Park's Holy Bull winner finished fourth in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Owns a win and a runner-up in 2 Churchill Downs tries at age 2, and sire Into Mischief was responsible for Derby winners Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021 via DQ).
Son of 2007 Derby third and Preakness winner Curlin pulled the prep season's biggest upset at 59-1 in the Wood Memorial. His only previous win came in a 6-furlong maiden race in November. Florida-based colt looks for his second successful roadtrip shocker.
Winner of the Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby points chase earned an automatic berth to the Derby. Distant third in the UAE Derby as part of a sweep of the top 4 placings by Japanese-based runners, which included Derma Sotogake, also in the Kentucky Derby field. Trainer Yahagi is a 2-time Breeders' Cup winner on US soil.
Veteran of the 3 Gulfstream Park major preps, he finished third in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby. Louisville native Dale Romans is a Preakness winner (Shackleford 2011) and seeks his first Kentucky Derby score. Son of Into Mischief, sire of 2020 and 2021 Derby winners Authentic and Mandaloun.
Nose defeat in the Santa Anita Derby showed this Japanese runner belongs with America's best. He's a nose and a neck away from a perfect record in 6 starts and made the fast rise out of his homeland's secondary circuit in the NAR. Son on 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Shanghai Bobby.
Pride of the 2012 sophomore crop, he's by Preakness third and Derby fifth-place finisher Creative Cause and out of a full-sister to that year's Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can. Runner-up in Arkansas Derby at 58-1 odds behind Angel of Empire in his only stakes bid.
Runaway Withers winner was expected to repeat in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct's same distance, but was a nose short as the 8-5 favorite. The Wood hasn't produced the Derby winner since Funny Cide in 2003, but did springboard last year's Preakness winner Early Voting and Belmont winner Mo Donegal.
Blue Grass Stakes runner-up by a neck could be part of the early pace in the Triple Crown series. Son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify has yet to win a stakes in 4 attempts. Could join Forte and Blazing Sevens as the only '22 Breeders' Cup Juvenile alumni in this year's Derby field.
Graded stakes winner at ages 2 and 3, he comes off his signature victory in the Jeff Ruby at Turfway. He's won on dirt and the Tapeta synthetic surface. First Triple Crown appearance for Midwest-based jockey and trainer.
Oaklawn's Rebel Stakes winner has not competed since February 25, a 10-week layoff that's never been successful in winning the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Desormeaux won the 2016 Preakness with Exaggerator, that year's Derby runner-up. His mother (dam) is half-sister to the legendary champion Zenyatta.
Tampa Bay Derby and Blue Grass Stakes winner has won 4 straight races with a strong-finishing style. The $1.3 million yearling purchase is by far the most expensive horse in this year's Derby field. Fusaichi Pegasus (2000) remains the only Derby winner to sell for 7 figures.
Only unbeaten runner heading into this year's Kentucky Derby, he made the class rise with success in the Louisiana Derby to get here. Wire-to-wire winner that day of America's longest Triple Crown prep race at 1-3/16 miles (Preakness distance). Regret, Big Brown & Justify won the Derby as 3-3 unbeatens.
Winner of January's Sham Stakes while with trainer Bob Baffert, but transferred to Yakteen barn due to Baffert's 2-year Kentucky Derby suspension. Subsquently third in the Rebel and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Sire Good Magic also has Mage and Blazing Sevens in potential Derby lineup.
Impressive January 28 debut winner at Gulfstream Park has taken the fast track to the Derby with only 3 starts. Finished fourth in the Fountan of Youth and second in the Florida Derby, cutting nearly 6 lengths of his margin vs. Forte in his last start. Grandson of Preakness winner Curlin and Derby winner Big Brown.
Late-running Santa Anita Derby third-place finish is from the same trainer who upset the 2005 Kentucky Derby with 50-1 Giacomo. Connections change jockeys from Victor Espinoza to Juan Hernandez, looking for a better style fit for this closer. Sire Curlin won the 2007 Preakness and was third in the Kentucky Derby.
Scored a heart-pounding win in a 3-way photo in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby to sweep California's top 2 spring races, following up on March's San Felipe stylish victory. Running style keeps him in close contact to the leaders under Triple Crown rookie rider Vazquez.
Earned Derby qualifying points in final race of prep series, finishing third in the Lexington to propel him into the field. Runner-up in the Louisiana Derby has just a 7-furlong sprint win at Saratoga in his win column. Trainer Asmussen has more wins than any in North American history, including Preakness & Belmont scores, but no Derby wins to date.
Won Fair Grounds' Gun Runner Stakes in December and was third there in the Louisiana Derby. Has experience at Churchill with a third-place finsih in the Iroquois Stakes at age 2. Ownership group includes West Point Thoroughbreds, part-owners of 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline.
Kentucky-based trainer McPeek won the Preakness (Swiss Skydiver) and Belmont (Sarava), but looks for his first Derby. Late-running 4th-place finisher in the Blue Grass Stakes was runner-up in the Risen Star in February and looks for his first career stakes win.
Top southern sophomore won Fair Grounds' Risen Star and Oaklawn's Arkansas Derby, making him a rare, 2-time winner at 1-1/8 miles already this season. Son of Classic Empire, who ran 4th in Kentucky Derby and 2nd in Preakness in 2017.
Champion 2-Year-Old of 2022 has won 5 straight, including 4 Grade 1 stakes. His streak culminated with a thrilling Florida Derby rally at Gulfstream Park. He has been the favored individual entry in each Kentucky Derby Future Wager of 2023 and expected favorite on the first Saturday in May.
The only Gotham Stakes winner to win the Kentucky Derby was Secretariat, fitting that this is his 50th anniversary to his Triple Crown glory. Both career wins have been in 1-turn races, and he's 0-3 around 2 turns, including a no-threat 5th in the Blue Grass.
The most accomplished of the Japanese contingent, he's the winner of the UAE Derby, third-place finisher in the Saudi Derby and multiple stakes winner in his homeland. UAE Derby alumni are 0-17 in the Kentucky Derby. Led wire-to-wire in Dubai and should be part of the early pace.
Gulfstream Park's Holy Bull winner finished fourth in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Owns a win and a runner-up in 2 Churchill Downs tries at age 2, and sire Into Mischief was responsible for Derby winners Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021 via DQ).
Son of 2007 Derby third and Preakness winner Curlin pulled the prep season's biggest upset at 59-1 in the Wood Memorial. His only previous win came in a 6-furlong maiden race in November. Florida-based colt looks for his second successful roadtrip shocker.
Winner of the Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby points chase earned an automatic berth to the Derby. Distant third in the UAE Derby as part of a sweep of the top 4 placings by Japanese-based runners, which included Derma Sotogake, also in the Kentucky Derby field. Trainer Yahagi is a 2-time Breeders' Cup winner on US soil.
Veteran of the 3 Gulfstream Park major preps, he finished third in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby. Louisville native Dale Romans is a Preakness winner (Shackleford 2011) and seeks his first Kentucky Derby score. Son of Into Mischief, sire of 2020 and 2021 Derby winners Authentic and Mandaloun.
Nose defeat in the Santa Anita Derby showed this Japanese runner belongs with America's best. He's a nose and a neck away from a perfect record in 6 starts and made the fast rise out of his homeland's secondary circuit in the NAR. Son on 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Shanghai Bobby.
Pride of the 2012 sophomore crop, he's by Preakness third and Derby fifth-place finisher Creative Cause and out of a full-sister to that year's Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can. Runner-up in Arkansas Derby at 58-1 odds behind Angel of Empire in his only stakes bid.
Runaway Withers winner was expected to repeat in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct's same distance, but was a nose short as the 8-5 favorite. The Wood hasn't produced the Derby winner since Funny Cide in 2003, but did springboard last year's Preakness winner Early Voting and Belmont winner Mo Donegal.
Blue Grass Stakes runner-up by a neck could be part of the early pace in the Triple Crown series. Son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify has yet to win a stakes in 4 attempts. Could join Forte and Blazing Sevens as the only '22 Breeders' Cup Juvenile alumni in this year's Derby field.
Graded stakes winner at ages 2 and 3, he comes off his signature victory in the Jeff Ruby at Turfway. He's won on dirt and the Tapeta synthetic surface. First Triple Crown appearance for Midwest-based jockey and trainer.
Oaklawn's Rebel Stakes winner has not competed since February 25, a 10-week layoff that's never been successful in winning the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Desormeaux won the 2016 Preakness with Exaggerator, that year's Derby runner-up. His mother (dam) is half-sister to the legendary champion Zenyatta.
Tampa Bay Derby and Blue Grass Stakes winner has won 4 straight races with a strong-finishing style. The $1.3 million yearling purchase is by far the most expensive horse in this year's Derby field. Fusaichi Pegasus (2000) remains the only Derby winner to sell for 7 figures.
Only unbeaten runner heading into this year's Kentucky Derby, he made the class rise with success in the Louisiana Derby to get here. Wire-to-wire winner that day of America's longest Triple Crown prep race at 1-3/16 miles (Preakness distance). Regret, Big Brown & Justify won the Derby as 3-3 unbeatens.
Winner of January's Sham Stakes while with trainer Bob Baffert, but transferred to Yakteen barn due to Baffert's 2-year Kentucky Derby suspension. Subsquently third in the Rebel and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Sire Good Magic also has Mage and Blazing Sevens in potential Derby lineup.
Impressive January 28 debut winner at Gulfstream Park has taken the fast track to the Derby with only 3 starts. Finished fourth in the Fountan of Youth and second in the Florida Derby, cutting nearly 6 lengths of his margin vs. Forte in his last start. Grandson of Preakness winner Curlin and Derby winner Big Brown.
Late-running Santa Anita Derby third-place finish is from the same trainer who upset the 2005 Kentucky Derby with 50-1 Giacomo. Connections change jockeys from Victor Espinoza to Juan Hernandez, looking for a better style fit for this closer. Sire Curlin won the 2007 Preakness and was third in the Kentucky Derby.
Scored a heart-pounding win in a 3-way photo in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby to sweep California's top 2 spring races, following up on March's San Felipe stylish victory. Running style keeps him in close contact to the leaders under Triple Crown rookie rider Vazquez.
Earned Derby qualifying points in final race of prep series, finishing third in the Lexington to propel him into the field. Runner-up in the Louisiana Derby has just a 7-furlong sprint win at Saratoga in his win column. Trainer Asmussen has more wins than any in North American history, including Preakness & Belmont scores, but no Derby wins to date.
Won Fair Grounds' Gun Runner Stakes in December and was third there in the Louisiana Derby. Has experience at Churchill with a third-place finsih in the Iroquois Stakes at age 2. Ownership group includes West Point Thoroughbreds, part-owners of 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline.
Kentucky-based trainer McPeek won the Preakness (Swiss Skydiver) and Belmont (Sarava), but looks for his first Derby. Late-running 4th-place finisher in the Blue Grass Stakes was runner-up in the Risen Star in February and looks for his first career stakes win.
Top southern sophomore won Fair Grounds' Risen Star and Oaklawn's Arkansas Derby, making him a rare, 2-time winner at 1-1/8 miles already this season. Son of Classic Empire, who ran 4th in Kentucky Derby and 2nd in Preakness in 2017.
Champion 2-Year-Old of 2022 has won 5 straight, including 4 Grade 1 stakes. His streak culminated with a thrilling Florida Derby rally at Gulfstream Park. He has been the favored individual entry in each Kentucky Derby Future Wager of 2023 and expected favorite on the first Saturday in May.
The only Gotham Stakes winner to win the Kentucky Derby was Secretariat, fitting that this is his 50th anniversary to his Triple Crown glory. Both career wins have been in 1-turn races, and he's 0-3 around 2 turns, including a no-threat 5th in the Blue Grass.
The most accomplished of the Japanese contingent, he's the winner of the UAE Derby, third-place finisher in the Saudi Derby and multiple stakes winner in his homeland. UAE Derby alumni are 0-17 in the Kentucky Derby. Led wire-to-wire in Dubai and should be part of the early pace.
Gulfstream Park's Holy Bull winner finished fourth in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Owns a win and a runner-up in 2 Churchill Downs tries at age 2, and sire Into Mischief was responsible for Derby winners Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021 via DQ).
Son of 2007 Derby third and Preakness winner Curlin pulled the prep season's biggest upset at 59-1 in the Wood Memorial. His only previous win came in a 6-furlong maiden race in November. Florida-based colt looks for his second successful roadtrip shocker.
Winner of the Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby points chase earned an automatic berth to the Derby. Distant third in the UAE Derby as part of a sweep of the top 4 placings by Japanese-based runners, which included Derma Sotogake, also in the Kentucky Derby field. Trainer Yahagi is a 2-time Breeders' Cup winner on US soil.
Veteran of the 3 Gulfstream Park major preps, he finished third in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby. Louisville native Dale Romans is a Preakness winner (Shackleford 2011) and seeks his first Kentucky Derby score. Son of Into Mischief, sire of 2020 and 2021 Derby winners Authentic and Mandaloun.
Nose defeat in the Santa Anita Derby showed this Japanese runner belongs with America's best. He's a nose and a neck away from a perfect record in 6 starts and made the fast rise out of his homeland's secondary circuit in the NAR. Son on 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Shanghai Bobby.
Pride of the 2012 sophomore crop, he's by Preakness third and Derby fifth-place finisher Creative Cause and out of a full-sister to that year's Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can. Runner-up in Arkansas Derby at 58-1 odds behind Angel of Empire in his only stakes bid.
Runaway Withers winner was expected to repeat in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct's same distance, but was a nose short as the 8-5 favorite. The Wood hasn't produced the Derby winner since Funny Cide in 2003, but did springboard last year's Preakness winner Early Voting and Belmont winner Mo Donegal.
Blue Grass Stakes runner-up by a neck could be part of the early pace in the Triple Crown series. Son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify has yet to win a stakes in 4 attempts. Could join Forte and Blazing Sevens as the only '22 Breeders' Cup Juvenile alumni in this year's Derby field.
Graded stakes winner at ages 2 and 3, he comes off his signature victory in the Jeff Ruby at Turfway. He's won on dirt and the Tapeta synthetic surface. First Triple Crown appearance for Midwest-based jockey and trainer.
Oaklawn's Rebel Stakes winner has not competed since February 25, a 10-week layoff that's never been successful in winning the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Desormeaux won the 2016 Preakness with Exaggerator, that year's Derby runner-up. His mother (dam) is half-sister to the legendary champion Zenyatta.
Tampa Bay Derby and Blue Grass Stakes winner has won 4 straight races with a strong-finishing style. The $1.3 million yearling purchase is by far the most expensive horse in this year's Derby field. Fusaichi Pegasus (2000) remains the only Derby winner to sell for 7 figures.
Only unbeaten runner heading into this year's Kentucky Derby, he made the class rise with success in the Louisiana Derby to get here. Wire-to-wire winner that day of America's longest Triple Crown prep race at 1-3/16 miles (Preakness distance). Regret, Big Brown & Justify won the Derby as 3-3 unbeatens.
Winner of January's Sham Stakes while with trainer Bob Baffert, but transferred to Yakteen barn due to Baffert's 2-year Kentucky Derby suspension. Subsquently third in the Rebel and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Sire Good Magic also has Mage and Blazing Sevens in potential Derby lineup.
Impressive January 28 debut winner at Gulfstream Park has taken the fast track to the Derby with only 3 starts. Finished fourth in the Fountan of Youth and second in the Florida Derby, cutting nearly 6 lengths of his margin vs. Forte in his last start. Grandson of Preakness winner Curlin and Derby winner Big Brown.
Late-running Santa Anita Derby third-place finish is from the same trainer who upset the 2005 Kentucky Derby with 50-1 Giacomo. Connections change jockeys from Victor Espinoza to Juan Hernandez, looking for a better style fit for this closer. Sire Curlin won the 2007 Preakness and was third in the Kentucky Derby.
Scored a heart-pounding win in a 3-way photo in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby to sweep California's top 2 spring races, following up on March's San Felipe stylish victory. Running style keeps him in close contact to the leaders under Triple Crown rookie rider Vazquez.
Earned Derby qualifying points in final race of prep series, finishing third in the Lexington to propel him into the field. Runner-up in the Louisiana Derby has just a 7-furlong sprint win at Saratoga in his win column. Trainer Asmussen has more wins than any in North American history, including Preakness & Belmont scores, but no Derby wins to date.
Won Fair Grounds' Gun Runner Stakes in December and was third there in the Louisiana Derby. Has experience at Churchill with a third-place finsih in the Iroquois Stakes at age 2. Ownership group includes West Point Thoroughbreds, part-owners of 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline.
Kentucky-based trainer McPeek won the Preakness (Swiss Skydiver) and Belmont (Sarava), but looks for his first Derby. Late-running 4th-place finisher in the Blue Grass Stakes was runner-up in the Risen Star in February and looks for his first career stakes win.
Top southern sophomore won Fair Grounds' Risen Star and Oaklawn's Arkansas Derby, making him a rare, 2-time winner at 1-1/8 miles already this season. Son of Classic Empire, who ran 4th in Kentucky Derby and 2nd in Preakness in 2017.
Champion 2-Year-Old of 2022 has won 5 straight, including 4 Grade 1 stakes. His streak culminated with a thrilling Florida Derby rally at Gulfstream Park. He has been the favored individual entry in each Kentucky Derby Future Wager of 2023 and expected favorite on the first Saturday in May.
The only Gotham Stakes winner to win the Kentucky Derby was Secretariat, fitting that this is his 50th anniversary to his Triple Crown glory. Both career wins have been in 1-turn races, and he's 0-3 around 2 turns, including a no-threat 5th in the Blue Grass.
The most accomplished of the Japanese contingent, he's the winner of the UAE Derby, third-place finisher in the Saudi Derby and multiple stakes winner in his homeland. UAE Derby alumni are 0-17 in the Kentucky Derby. Led wire-to-wire in Dubai and should be part of the early pace.
Gulfstream Park's Holy Bull winner finished fourth in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Owns a win and a runner-up in 2 Churchill Downs tries at age 2, and sire Into Mischief was responsible for Derby winners Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021 via DQ).
Son of 2007 Derby third and Preakness winner Curlin pulled the prep season's biggest upset at 59-1 in the Wood Memorial. His only previous win came in a 6-furlong maiden race in November. Florida-based colt looks for his second successful roadtrip shocker.
Winner of the Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby points chase earned an automatic berth to the Derby. Distant third in the UAE Derby as part of a sweep of the top 4 placings by Japanese-based runners, which included Derma Sotogake, also in the Kentucky Derby field. Trainer Yahagi is a 2-time Breeders' Cup winner on US soil.
Veteran of the 3 Gulfstream Park major preps, he finished third in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby. Louisville native Dale Romans is a Preakness winner (Shackleford 2011) and seeks his first Kentucky Derby score. Son of Into Mischief, sire of 2020 and 2021 Derby winners Authentic and Mandaloun.
Nose defeat in the Santa Anita Derby showed this Japanese runner belongs with America's best. He's a nose and a neck away from a perfect record in 6 starts and made the fast rise out of his homeland's secondary circuit in the NAR. Son on 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Shanghai Bobby.
Pride of the 2012 sophomore crop, he's by Preakness third and Derby fifth-place finisher Creative Cause and out of a full-sister to that year's Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can. Runner-up in Arkansas Derby at 58-1 odds behind Angel of Empire in his only stakes bid.
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
DERMA SOTOGAKE
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
TAPIT TRICE
DERMA SOTOGAKE
CONFIDENCE GAME
VERIFYING
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
TAPIT TRICE
REINCARNATE
DISARM
DERMA SOTOGAKE
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
MANDARIN HERO
TAPIT TRICE
TWO PHIL'S
KINGSBARNS
MANDARIN HERO
DERMA SOTOGAKE
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
MANDARIN HERO
CONFIDENCE GAME
KINGSBARNS
TAPIT TRICE
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
VERIFYING
MAGE
TAPIT TRICE
CONFIDENCE GAME
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
MAGE
DISARM
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
KINGSBARNS
DERMA SOTOGAKE
TAPIT TRICE
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
KINGSBARNS
DERMA SOTOGAKE
KINGSBARNS
MAGE
MANDARIN HERO
DERMA SOTOGAKE
KINGSBARNS
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
CONFIDENCE GAME
DERMA SOTOGAKE
VERIFYING
TAPIT TRICE
REINCARNATE
ANGEL OF EMPIRE
The 1/ST BET 'Machine' analyzes millions of data points over more than 50 important handicapping factors for each race to create an exclusive handicapping outcome driven by big data.
SCENE SETTER: The past 6 Kentucky Oaks winners have hailed from 5 different prep locales, proving the division has plenty of national reach. Last year it was Secret Oath via Oaklawn, and the likely Friday favorite this year, WET PAINT, follows that same Arkansas path. While we saw upsets on the 2023 Oaks trail in Florida, Kentucky and Louisiana – and the top prep winners from California and New York are bypassing the race – WET PAINT offers stability. She swept the Martha Washington, Honeybee and Fantasy for 2018 and 2020 Oaks-winning trainer Brad Cox, who also has the synthetic-surface superstar BOTANICAL. Last year’s Champion 2-Year-Old Filly WONDER WHEEL has some rebounding to do after a pair of losses.
NOTES:
The Kentucky Derby morning line favorite has been the final, post-time favorite 78% of the time since Mike Battaglia began setting the odds in 1974. The morning line favorite owns 7 wins since 2000.
For all the talk about two-prep paths being the new wave of Derby success, the last 6 official winners of this race all had 3 or 4 preps during that current year.
Gulfstream Park’s Florida Derby has produced more Kentucky Derby winners (24) all-time than any other prep race. The Blue Grass at Keeneland is next with 23.
The 1/ST BET 'Machine' analyzes millions of data points over more than 50 important handicapping factors for each race to create an exclusive handicapping outcome driven by big data.
SCENE SETTER: Florida Derby winner FORTE walked a tight rope in his final prep, capturing his fifth straight victory. But did his narrow escape open the door to the rest of the class? Last year’s Champion 2-Year-Old is thefirst 4-time Grade 1 winner in the Kentucky Derby field since Nyquist also added the roses in 2016. Since then, 5 straight Champion 2-Year-Olds have lost in Louisville. FORTE’s trainer Todd Pletcher won the 2017 Derby with Always Dreaming in the only other year he’s saddled the favorite. Curators of speed figures can’t agree whether he’s ascending or regressing. But note: the Derby post-time favorite hasn’t finished out of the superfecta since 2011; expectations remain high even if less certain than a month ago.
NOTES:
Jockey to win back-to-back: Victor Espinoza (2014 California Chrome, 2015 American Pharoah)
Trainer to win back-to-back: Bob Baffert (1997 Silver Charm, 1998 Real Quiet)
Jockey to win Derby debut: Sonny Leon (2022 Rich Strike)
Trainer to win Derby debut: Eric Reed (2022 Rich Strike)
It’s the golden anniversary of Secretariat’s 1973 Kentucky Derby victory and Triple Crown sweep. He still owns the Kentucky Derby record of 1:59-2/5 for a mile and one-quarter, the Preakness standard of 1:53 flat for a mile and three-sixteenths, as well as the world record for a mile and one-half in the Belmont Stakes (2:24 flat).
The reigning 2-Year-Old Champion owns a 21-for-80 record in the Kentucky Derby all-time. Forte will try to become the first to win the roses since Nyquist in 2016.
Rich Strike’s $163.60 win mutuel for $2 last year was second-highest in Kentucky Derby history. The top-5 are rounded out by $184.90 (Donerail, 1913), $132.40 (Country House, 2019), $103.20 (Mine That Bird, 2009) and $102.60 (Giacomo, 2005).
SCENE SETTER: Longshots are as much a part of the Kentucky Derby attraction as mint juleps and floppy hats. Rich Strike’s 80-1 score last May will be fresh on the minds of a win-pool wagering public when betting reconvenes. And why not? It was the second-biggest upset in Derby history. Further, 4 of the Top-5 win payoffs have come in the just the last 18 of the Derby’s 148 runnings. Raise a glass to 50-1 bombers like Giacomo and Mine That Bird, as well as 65-1 Country House. The $2 payoff of $184.90 for Donerail in 1913 remains the pinnacle. Following Giacomo and Mine That Bird, the next year’s Derby favorites were 5.50-1 and 6.30-1 as a tepid public feared that anything’s possible. Key players this year may be higher odds than expected, thanks, in part, to Rich Strike.
NOTES:
Arkansas Derby alum to win: Country House (2019)
Blue Grass alum to win: Street Sense (2007)
Florida Derby alum to win: Always Dreaming (2017)
Louisiana Derby alum to win: Mandaloun (2021)
Santa Anita Derby alum to win: Authentic (2020)
Jeff Ruby alum to win: Rich Strike (2022)
Wood Memorial alum to win: Funny Cide (2003)
In the last 50 years, the Kentucky Derby has been won wire-to-wire just 5 times. Bold Forbes did so in 1976, Spend a Buck in 1985, Winning Colors in 1988, War Emblem in 2002 and Authentic in 2020.
Horses exiting preps in the United Arab Emirates have a 17: 0-0-0 record all-time in the Kentucky Derby. The best finish was Master of Hound’s fifth in 2011.
The Derby has been run on a fast track each of the last 3 years. We haven’t had 4 straight fast tracks since 2005-’08.
SCENE SETTER: The only Derby 149 contenders to set the pace in a major prep all season long were KINGSBARNS in the Louisiana Derby and DERMA SOTOGAKE in the United Arab Emirates Derby. Coincidentally (or not), those also were the campaign’s two longest Derby preps (one mile and three-sixteenths each). JACE’S ROAD (Gun Runner Stakes) and REINCARNATE (Sham Stakes) made the front in lesser stakes, but neither could wrest the lead in either of their final two starts. This could project to be one of the slower Kentucky Derby paces in memory. The slowest fractions in the last 30 years came when Shackleford backed up the 2011 Derby in 48.63 for the opening half-mile and 1:13.40 for 6 furlongs before finishing fourth.
NOTES:
Trainer Eric Reed won his Derby debut last year with Rich Strike and joined a club that includes Art Sherman (2014, California Chrome), Chip Woolley (2009, Mine That Bird), Rick Dutrow (2008, Big Brown), Michael Matz (2006, Barbaro), John Servis (2004, Smarty Jones) and Barclay Tagg (2003, Funny Cide) in just the last 20 years.
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