A field of 19 will go in this year’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Photo credit: ID 119517466 © Ken Wolter | Dreamstime.com).
A field of 19 will go in the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs with Essential Quality installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite.
The Ken McPeek trained King Fury will scratch due to spiking a fever.
The undefeated Brad Cox trainee drew the 14 post and will have jockey Luis Saez in the irons. The colt won the Toyota Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland in his final prep. The colt ended up first in the Road to the Kentucky Derby points race with 140.
The colt is currently listed at 5-2 in early wagering odds for the Kentucky Derby at BUSR and seems likely to go off between 5-2 and 3-1.
Florida Derby (G1) winner Known Agenda got the worst of the post position draw on Tuesday morning, drawing the one post. The colt is 6-1 on the morning line and will have Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons.
“It was the not the post we were looking for,” his trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I was hoping Known Agenda would draw in the middle.”
Pletcher will saddle three other runners in the race, Sainthood (50-1) drew the five post, Dynamic One (20-1) drew the 11, and Bourbonic (30-1) drew the 20 post.
Rock Your World is the second choice on the morning line at 5-1. The colt will break just outside of the favorite in post 15 with jockey Joel Rosario aboard. The colt won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his last start, which was his first trip on dirt.
Post time for the Kentucky Derby is 6:57 ET on Saturday and will be broadcast live on NBC.
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Kentucky Derby Post Positions and Morning Line Odds
1. Known Agenda 6-1
Pedigree: Curlin – Byrama, by Byron
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: St. Elias Stable
Career record: 6-3-1-1
Career earnings: $541,700
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 94
Kentucky Derby points: 102
One of four sent out by trainer Todd Pletcher, this colt won the Florida Derby (G1) in his final prep. The Florida Derby has produced the most Kentucky Derby winners at 24. The son of two-time Horse of the year Curlin has shown improvement in each start this year. He was fifth in the Sam F. Davis (G3), then trounced first level optional claimers by 11 lengths before his Florida Derby victory. This colt will be the lowest price among the quartet Pletcher saddles. The trainer has started a record 55 runners in this race, winning just twice.
2. Like the King 50-1
Pedigree: Palace Malice – Like a Queen, by Corinthian
Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke
Trainer: Wesley Ward
Owner: M Racing Group
Career record: 6-3-2-1
Career earnings: $200,680
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 86
Kentucky Derby points: 104
This colt made a good late rally to win the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) over the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park to stamp his ticket to Louisville. When the race was called the Spial Stakes and run on polytrack Animal Kingdom won the race and then upset the Kentucky Derby to the tune of $43.80 in 2011. The Wesley Ward trainee has made six starts with just one over a fast dirt surface, a runner up finish in his debut going 5 ½ furlongs. He broke his maiden on turf. His 86 Beyer in his final prep is certainly coming up on the light side.
3. Brooklyn Strong 50-1
Pedigree: Wicked Strong – Riviera Chic, by Medaglia d’Oro
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Trainer: Daniel Velazquez
Owner: Mark Schwartz
Career record: 5-3-0-1
Career earnings: $225,000
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 94
Kentucky Derby points: 10
In this race at just under the wire thanks to a few defections, the colt made just one start this year and it was a fifth in the slowly run Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct. The colt won three of his four starts last year capped off by his victory in the Remsen (G3) last December. It is tough to make a case for him with just one start this year.
4. Keepmeinmind 50-1
Pedigree: Laoban – Inclination, by Victory Gallop
Jockey: David Cohen
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Owners: Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith, and Spendthrift Farm
Career record: 6-1-2-1
Career earnings: $424,987
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 92
Kentucky Derby points: 18
This colt was a talented two-year-old, a runner up finish in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) in his second career start, a solid third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and then winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). He has not moved forward this year, a disappointing sixth in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park and then a well beaten fifth in the Toyota Blue Grass (G2). He needs a major form reversal to be a threat on Saturday.
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5. Sainthood 50-1
Pedigree: Mshawish – Lemon Hero, by Lemon Drop Kid
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owners: China Horse Club International and WinStar Farm
Career record: 3-1-2-0
Career earnings: $91,900
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 84
Kentucky Derby points: 40
The fourth runner sent out by Pletcher, this colt broke his maiden by a nose at Fair Grounds in his second career start and first going long. He went to the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) where he had a rough trip in a runner up finish, beaten a length for the top spot by Like the King at 10-1. The colt has not come close to running fast enough to be a threat here.
6. O Besos 20-1
Pedigree: Orb – Snuggs and Kisses, by Soto
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza
Trainer: Greg Foley
Owners: Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing, and West Point Thoroughbreds
Career record: 5-2-0-1
Career earnings: $172,624
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 96
Kentucky Derby points: 25
The Greg Foley trainee has shown improvement with each outing, his last a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2). He was fourth in the Risen Star (G3) two back which was his stakes debut. His Beyer Speed Figures have improved with each start and his last number of 96 is competitive considering he is going to be a generous price. His sire Orb won the 2013 Kentucky Derby.
7. Mandaloun 15-1
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Brooch, by Empire Maker
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owner: Juddmonte Farms
Career record: 5-3-0-1
Career earnings: $361,252
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 98
Kentucky Derby points: 52
Another Louisiana Derby (G2) alum, this guy was the beaten favorite in the race, checking in sixth and beaten 11 ¾ lengths. He came into the race off a sharp win the Risen Star (G2). We have to go back to Iron Leige in 1957 to find the last Derby winner that did not finish in the top four in their final prep race, which is a major knock for this colt. However, he has been working sharply since and has made a good impression this week in Louisville for trainer Brad Cox. This colt may be the toughest contender to get a good read on.
8. Medina Spirit 15-1
Pedigree: Protonico – Mongolian Changa, by Brilliant Speed
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Career record: 5-2-3-0
Career earnings: $315,200
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 99
Kentucky Derby points: 74
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is seeking a record seventh win in the Run for the Roses and this is his lone entrant. The colt won the Robert B. Lewis (G3), then was no match for his stablemate Life Is Good in the San Felipe (G2), the winner off the Derby trail with an injury. The colt was the beaten favorite in the Santa Anita Derby where he was no match for Rock Your World, beaten 4 ¼ lengths. With Baffert calling the shots and the prospect of a decent price considering the connections, he is one to keep an eye on.
9. Hot Rod Charlie 8-1
Pedigree: Oxbow – Indian Miss, by Indian Charlie
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Owners: Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, and William Strauss
Career record: 7-2-1-2
Career earnings: $1,005,700
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 99
Kentucky Derby points: 110
The colt won the Louisiana Derby (G2) in his final prep earning the second highest Beyer Speed Figure in the field. The Louisiana Derby has produced just four Kentucky Derby winners, the most recent being Country House in 2019 thanks to a disqualification. The previous winner was Funny Cide in 2003. His trainer Doug O’Neill has won the Kentucky Derby twice with I’ll Have Another (2012) & Nyquist (2016).
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10. Midnight Bourbon 20-1
Pedigree: Tiznow – Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Career record: 7-2-2-3
Career earnings: $461,420
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 96
Kentucky Derby points: 66
This colt has spent his year in New Orleans and was competitive in all three preps. He won the Lecomte (G3) followed by a third in the Risen Star (G2) and a runner up finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2). The Asmussen trainee has earned competitive speed figures in his last two starts and will be in the mix early. The colt was a $535,000 purchase and a son of Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Tiznow. Runners coming back off a 42-day break have not fared well in the Derby.
11. Dynamic One 20-1
Pedigree: Union Rags – Beat the Drums, by Smart Strike
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owners: Repole Stable, Phipps Stable, and St. Elias Stable
Career record: 5-1-2-0
Career earnings: $194,12
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 89
Kentucky Derby points: 40
Trainer Todd Pletcher has been high on this colt since last fall, but it took four tries for him to break his maiden, getting the job done at Aqueduct going nine furlongs. He went into the Wood where he was sent off at 15-1 and got run down late by his stablemate Bourbonic. The Wood seems to be one of the weaker Derby preps this year and we have to go back to 2003 to find the last Derby winner to use the Wood as a prep (Funny Cide).
12. Helium 50-1
Pedigree: Ironicus – Thundering Emilia, by Thunder Gulch
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Trainer: Mark Casse
Owner: D. J. Stable
Career record: 3-2-0-0
Career earnings: $287,763
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 84
Kentucky Derby points: 50
This colt comes into the race undefeated but has just three starts under his belt and one start on conventional dirt. He won the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) last out in a 15-1 upset. His first two career starts came on the Tapeta at Woodbine, both seven furlong sprints. Since 1900 just three Derby winners have had just three starts, two of them recently —Justify in 2018 and Big Brown in 2008.
13. Hidden Stash 50-1
Pedigree: Constitution – Making Mark Money, by Smart Strike
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Trainer: Victoria Oliver
Owner: BBN Racing
Career record: 7-2-1-2
Career earnings: $231,062
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 83
Kentucky Derby points: 32
This colt was competitive in two trips at Tampa Bay Downs, a third in the Sam F. Davis (G3) and a runner up finish in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) where he was beaten by Helium by ¾ of a length. His final prep in the Toyota Blue Grass (G2) was a bit disappointing in a fourth-place finish, beaten 10 lengths. His trainer Victoria Oliver is the first female trainer to start a horse in the Derby since Carla Gaines saddled Bolo to a 12th place finish in 2015. The best finish from a female trainer was Shelley Riley who trained Casual Lies who ran second in 1992.
14. Essential Quality 2-1
Pedigree: Tapit – Delightful Quality, by Elusive Quality
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owner: Godolphin
Career record: 5-5-0-0
Career earnings: $2,265,144
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 97
Kentucky Derby points: 140
The morning line favorite is looking to become the 10th horse to enter and exit the Run for the Roses undefeated, Justify the last to do so in 2018. The champion three-year-old is perfect in five starts, his final prep a hard fought win in the Toyota Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland beating Highly Motivated by a neck. He looks to become just the third Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner to wear the Roses.
15. Rock Your World 5-1
Pedigree: Candy Ride – Charm the Maker, by Empire Maker
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: John Sadler
Owners: Hronis Racing and Talla Racing
Career record: 3-3-0-0
Career earnings: $546,600
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 100
Kentucky Derby points: 100
This John Sadler trainee was a $650,000 Keeneland purchase and is undefeated in three career starts. His first two came on turf, winning the Pasadena at a mile on grass in his stakes debut. He then made the switch to the main track and won the Santa Anita Derby (G1), a race that has produced 19 Kentucky Derby winners. Lightly raced and no starts as a juvenile is a concern, but this colt may still have some upside with just one start on dirt under his belt.
16. King Fury SCRATCHED
Pedigree: Curlin – Taris, by Flatter
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Owners: Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm
Career record: 6-3-0-0
Career earnings: $262,739
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 95
Kentucky Derby points: 20
This colt made his three-year-old debut in the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland and was a sharp winner, drawing clear to win by 2 ¾ lengths. A number of defections got him into the race as the Lexington was worth just 20 points. He made five starts as a two-year-old, winning the Street Sense but was not a factor in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). 24 horses that made one start as a three-year-old prior to the Kentucky Derby from 1937 to present have all come up short.
17. Highly Motivated 10-1
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Strong Incentive, by Warrior’s Reward
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Chad Brown
Owner: Klaravich Stables
Career record: 5-2-2-1
Career earnings: $320,050
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 97
Kentucky Derby points: 50
The Chad Brown trainee set the fractions in the Toyota Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland and could not hold off Essential Quality late to miss by just a neck. It was the colt’s first trip going two turns and just his second route. He was third in the Gotham (G3) two back going a one-turn mile. His lone stakes win came in the 6 ½ furlong Nyquist. He developed a habit of getting off poorly in his first four starts. It looked as if he did not change his leads smoothly last out and with Brown calling the shots this guy looks capable of moving forward off his last effort and being a threat. Brown is 0 for 5 in the Derby, his best finish a second with Good Magic in 2018.
18. Super Stock 30-1
Pedigree: Dialed In – Super Girlie, by Closing Argument
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Owners: Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen
Career record: 8-2-2-2
Career earnings: $804,762
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 92
Kentucky Derby points: 109
The Asmussen trainee pulled off the upset in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park at 12-1. He was fourth in the Rebel (G2) two back at odds of 40-1. The colt has a solid foundation making six starts as a juvenile including a third in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. Asmussen is looking for his first Derby win, coming into this year’s running with a 0 for 21 record.
19. Soup and Sandwich 30-1
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Souper Scoop, by Tapit
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Mark Casse
Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Career record: 3-2-1-0
Career earnings: $203,875
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 90
Kentucky Derby points: 40
This guy was up front in the Florida Derby (G1), pressing the pace and then taking over and he finished up well while on his left lead but was no match for Known Agenda, checking in 2 ¾ lengths back in second. It was just his third career start and first stakes effort. He was three lengths in front of the 4-5 favorite Greatest Honour. He looks as if he still has some upside but has no starts as a juvenile and not sure he really wants 1 ¼ miles at this stage of his career.
20. Bourbonic 30-1
Pedigree: Bernardini – Dancing Afleet, by Afleet Alex
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Calumet Farm
Career record: 6-3-1-0
Career earnings: $465,880
Top Beyer Speed Figure: 89
Kentucky Derby points: 100
This colt rallied from last to first to win a slow running of the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct last out. He was sent off at 72-1 while the horse he ran down was Dynamic One at 15-1. The Pletcher trainee had to drop into a $50,000 maiden claimer to pick up his first win. He is bred to run all day, but his late running style and slow last race are major knocks.
