Saturday's 149th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs has attracted a deep and competitive field. There are 13 graded stakes winners and four Grade 1 winners among the 23 entries, from which a maximum of 20 horses will be allowed to start.
Let's take a race-by-race look at the field:
Hit Show
Hit Show wins the Withers Stakes (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Total 5 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Wins: 3
Total Earnings: $404,375
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: Gary and Mary West
Sire: Candy Ride
Breeder: Gary and Mary West Stables
Dam: Actress
Trainer: Brad Cox
Color: Gray/roan
Jockey: Manny Franco
Withers (G3) winner Hit Show missed by just a nose when second in the Wood Memorial (G2) last time out, but has finished behind Kentucky Derby rivals Lord Miles, Confidence Game, and Rocket Can at various points in his career. He’ll need improvement to turn the tables.
Verifying
Verifying prepping for the Kentucky Derby (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 6 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (102) when finishing second in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.
Wins: 2
Total Earnings: $489,900
Place: 2
Show: 0
Owner: Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Jonathan Poulin, Derrick Smith, and Michael B. Tabor
Sire: Justify
Breeder: Hunter Valley and Mountmellick Farm
Dam: Diva Delite
Trainer: Brad Cox
Color: Bay
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Verifying has struggled with consistency, but exits a game runner-up finish in a fast renewal of the Blue Grass (G1). Breaking sharply and avoiding trouble from post 2 will be the key for this speedy colt.
Two Phil's
Two Phil's wins the Jeff Ruby Steaks (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 8 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (107) when winning the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.
Wins: 4
Total Earnings: $683,450
Place: 1
Show: 1
Owner: Patricia's Hope, Phillip Sagan, and Madaket Stables
Sire: Hard Spun
Breeder: Phillip Sagan
Dam: Mia Torri
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
Color: Chestnut
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Two Phil’s earned a powerful 107 Brisnet Speed rating when dominating the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) over the Tapeta track at Turfway Park, but must prove he can replicate that flashy form on dirt. Drawing post 3 may lead to a tricky trip.
Confidence Game
Confidence Game wins the Rebel Stakes (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 7 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (95) when winning the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
Wins: 3
Total Earnings: $785,525
Place: 1
Show: 2
Owner: Don't Tell My Wife Stables and Ocean Reef Racing
Sire: Candy Ride
Breeder: Summer Wind Equine
Dam: Eblouissante
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Color: Dark bay/brown
Jockey: James Graham
Two-time Churchill Downs winner Confidence Game won the $1 million Rebel (G2) back in February, but hasn’t raced since. The layoff is a question mark; it’s been decades since a horse won the Derby off such a lengthy break.
Tapit Trice
Tapit Trice wins the Blue Grass Stakes (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 5 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (102) when winning the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.
Wins: 4
Total Earnings: $883,650
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable
Sire: Tapit
Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds
Dam: Danzatrice
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Color: Gray/roan
Jockey: Luis Saez
Stretch-running Tapit Trice has rallied to impressive victories in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Blue Grass (G1), but he takes time finding his best stride and must avoid falling too far behind while breaking from an inside post at Churchill Downs. A clear, unencumbered run would help Tapit Trice, but that’s not guaranteed for a stretch runner in the Derby.
Kingsbarns
Kingsbarns wins the Louisiana Derby (Photo by Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography)
Total 3 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (98) when winning the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Wins: 3
Total Earnings: $657,300
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Spendthrift Farm
Sire: Uncle Mo
Breeder: Parks Investment Group
Dam: Lady Tapit
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Color: Bay
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
The undefeated Kingsbarns was an eye-catching winner of the Louisiana Derby (G2) in his third career start, but he benefited from setting a very slow pace and may have to adapt to rallying tactics in the Kentucky Derby. That could be tricky while breaking from the inside half of a giant field.
Reincarnate
Reincarnate wins the Shame Stakes (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Total 7 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (98) when winning the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita.
Wins: 2
Total Earnings: $345,650
Place: 3
Show: 2
Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Sire: Good Magic
Breeder: Woods Edge Farm
Dam: Allanah
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Color: Gray/roan
Jockey: John Velazquez
Reincarnate has early speed and figures to be a pace player, but a weakening third-place finish in the Arkansas Derby (G1) suggests he’ll need improvement to challenge for a top-five finish against tougher competition on Derby Day.
Mage
Mage preparing for the Kentucky Derby (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 3 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning his debut at Gulfstream Park.
Wins: 1
Total Earnings: $247,200
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH
Sire: Good Magic
Breeder: Grandview Equine
Dam: Puca
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Color: Chestnut
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Mage ran well against Kentucky Derby favorite Forte in the Florida Derby (G1), finishing second after launching a powerful rally around the far turn. But Mage has only run three times and didn’t race at age two, so inexperience is a question mark for this talented but lightly raced colt.
Skinner
Skinner prepares for the Kentucky Derby (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 6 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita.
Wins: 1
Total Earnings: $216,300
Place: 0
Show: 3
Owner: C R K Stable
Sire: Curlin
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings
Dam: Winding Way
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Color: Bay
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
A wide trip compromised Skinner when he rallied to finish third by half a length in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). If a hot pace unfolds at Churchill Downs, this beautifully bred son of Curlin is eligible to outrun his odds and maybe even challenge for victory.
Practical Move
Practical Move wins the San Felipe Stakes (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Total 7 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (105) when winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos.
Wins: 4
Total Earnings: $884,200
Place: 1
Show: 2
Owner: Pierre Jean Amestory Jr., Leslie A. Amestoy, and Roger L. Beasley
Sire: Practical Joke
Breeder: Chad Brown and Head of Plains Partners
Dam: Ack Naughty
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Color: Bay
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
Practical Move doesn’t mind racing in traffic, having rallied up the rail to win the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), San Felipe (G2), and Santa Anita Derby (G1) in succession. He’s one of the fastest contenders on paper after posting a trio of triple-digit Brisnet Speed ratings and can’t be counted out of the Kentucky Derby win picture.
Disarm
Disarm prepares for the Kentucky Derby (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 5 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (97) when finishing third in the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland.
Wins: 1
Total Earnings: $327,850
Place: 2
Show: 2
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Sire: Gun Runner
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Dam: Easy Tap
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Color: Chestnut
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Disarm rallied nicely from behind a slow pace to finish second in the Louisiana Derby (G2), but a subsequent third in the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland was less inspiring. He’ll need a rebound to his Louisiana Derby form if he’s going to challenge on Derby Day.
Jace's Road
Jace's Road wins the Gun Runner Stakes (Photo by Hodges Photography)
Total 6 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (96) when winning the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds.
Wins: 2
Total Earnings: $238,050
Place: 0
Show: 2
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables and West Point Thoroughbreds
Sire: Quality Road
Breeder: Colts Neck Stables
Dam: Out Post
Trainer: Brad Cox
Color: Bay
Jockey: Florent Geroux
A gate-to-wire winner of the Gun Runner S. during the winter, Jace’s Road exits a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2), where he weakened to finish third after pressing a slow pace. He’ll need improvement to factor against tougher competition at Churchill Downs.
Sun Thunder
Sun Thunder workout at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 6 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (96) when finishing second in the Risen Star (G2) at Santa Anita.
Wins: 1
Total Earnings: $247,500
Place: 1
Show: 1
Owner: R.T. Racing Stable and Cypress Creek Equine
Sire: Into Mischief
Breeder: Southern Equine Stables
Dam: Greenfield d'Oro
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Color: Bay
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Stretch-running Sun Thunder is adding blinkers after cracking the top five without winning in a quartet of Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers. This is by far his toughest test to date, but if the blinkers sharpen Sun Thunder’s focus and speed, improvement isn’t out of the question.
Angel of Empire
Angel of Empire wins the Arkansas Derby (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 6 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Wins: 4
Total Earnings: $1,069,375
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Sire: Classic Empire
Breeder: Forgotten Land Investment and Black Diamond Equine
Dam: Armony's Angel
Trainer: Brad Cox
Color: Bay
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Angel of Empire unleashed giant homestretch rallies to win the Risen Star (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) in eye-catching fashion. He finished seriously fast on the clock in the Arkansas Derby, and a similar turn-of-foot at Churchill Downs will put Angel of Empire in contention for victory.
Forte
Forte wins the Florida Derby (Photo by Lauren King/Coglianese Photos)
Total 7 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (103) when winning the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Wins: 6
Total Earnings: $2,409,830
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
Sire: Violence
Breeder: South Gate Farm
Dam: Queen Caroline
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Color: Dark bay/brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Last year’s champion two-year-old male Forte has won five consecutive graded stakes, including four Grade 1 prizes. He overcame an unfavorable trip to rally and win the Florida Derby (G1) with a big move down the homestretch and ranks as the horse to beat at Churchill Downs.
Raise Cain
Raise Cain wins the Gotham Stakes (Photo by Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos)
Total 7 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (94) when finishing fifth in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.
Wins: 2
Total Earnings: $296,328
Place: 1
Show: 1
Owner: Andrew N. Warren and Rania Warren
Sire: Violence
Breeder: Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds
Dam: Lemon Belle
Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Color: Bay
Jockey: Gerardo Corrales
Raise Cain capitalized on a fast pace to post a 7 1/2-length romp in the Gotham (G3), but followed up with a fifth-place finish behind Tapit Trice in the Blue Grass (G1). His career-best 94 Brisnet Speed rating looks a bit light against the Kentucky Derby field.
Derma Sotogake
Derma Sotogake wins the UAE Derby (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
Total 8 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (N/A)
Wins: 4
Total Earnings: $1,162,164
Place: 0
Show: 2
Owner: Hiroyuki Asanuma
Sire: Mind Your Biscuits
Breeder: Shadai Farm
Dam: Amour Poesie
Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi
Color: Chestnut
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Japanese raider Derma Sotogake made a terrific impression in the UAE Derby (G2), leading all the way to win by 5 1/2 lengths in a very fast time. He’s versatile in terms of running style, and drawing an outside post gives him options for setting or stalking the pace as needed. The UAE Derby has yet to produce a Kentucky Derby winner, but Derma Sotogake appears poised to change that storyline.
Rocket Can
Rocket can wins the Holy Bull Stakes (Photo by Lauren King/Coglianese Photos)
Total 7 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing second in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Wins: 2
Total Earnings: $383,413
Place: 2
Show: 0
Owner: Frank Fletcher Racing Operations
Sire: Into Mischief
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds
Dam: Tension
Trainer: Bill Mott
Color: Gray/roan
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Rocket Can won the Holy Bull (G3) during the winter, but a distant runner-up finish behind Forte in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and a fourth to Angel of Empire in the Arkansas Derby (G1) suggest Rocket Can has form to find against the Kentucky Derby favorites. Perhaps adding blinkers will trigger a step forward.
Lord Miles
Lord Miles wins the Wood Memorial Stakes (Photo by Amira Chickakly/Coglianese Photos)
Total 5 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Wins: 2
Total Earnings: $451,100
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: Vegso Racing Stables
Sire: Curlin
Breeder: Vegso Racing Stable
Dam: Lady Esme
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Color: Bay
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Lord Miles came out on the winning end of a three-horse photo finish in the Wood Memorial (G2), springing a 59-1 upset to qualify to the Kentucky Derby. It was a fine effort, but Lord Miles previously finished off the board in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Holy Bull (G3), so he needs to find a way to turn the tables on Tapit Trice and Rocket Can.
Continuar
Continuar wins the Cattleya Stakes (Photo by Tomoya Morichi/Horsephotos.com)
Total 5 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: N/A
Wins: 2
Total Earnings: $337,889
Place: 1
Show: 1
Owner: Lion Race Horse Co.
Sire: Drefong
Breeder: Lake Villa Farm
Dam: Pan de Ring
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Color: Chestnut
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
The second Japanese raider is Continuar, winner of the Cattleya S. on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. He finished behind Derma Sotogake for the third time when coming home third by 10 lengths in the UAE Derby, so Continuar has form to find against his compatriot.
Cyclone Mischief
Cyclone Mischief workout at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 7 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning a Gulfstream Park allowance optional claimer.
Wins: 2
Total Earnings: $246,350
Place: 0
Show: 3
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables and Castleton Lyons
Sire: Into Mischief
Breeder: Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate
Dam: Areyoucominghere
Trainer: Dale Romans
Color: Bay
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Third behind Forte in both the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1), Cyclone Mischief has speed and figures to be at least a pace player if he draws in off the Kentucky Derby also-eligible list.
Mandarin Hero
Mandarin Hero workout at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 6 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (100) when finishing second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita.
Wins: 4
Total Earnings: $386,854
Place: 2
Show: 0
Owner: Hiroaki Arai
Sire: Shanghai Bobby
Breeder: Hirano Bokujo
Dam: Namura Nadeshiko
Trainer: Terunobu Fujita
Color: Dark bay/brown
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
The second also-eligible entrant is Mandarin Hero, who rallied strongly to finish second by a nose in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). That effort yielded a sharp 100 Brisnet Speed rating, so Mandarin Hero can’t be counted out of the mix if he’s allowed to start on Saturday.
King Russell
King Russell at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Total 6 start(s)
Top Speed Rating: (96) when finishing second in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Wins: 1
Total Earnings: $322,350
Place: 3
Show: 0
Owner: Brereton C. Jones and Naber Racing
Sire: Creative Cause
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
Dam: Believe You Will
Trainer: Ron Moquett
Color: Gray/roan
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
King Russell launched a nice rally from off the pace to finish second in the Arkansas Derby (G1), earning a career-best 96 Brisnet Speed rating, but he’ll need three scratches to get a rematch with Angel of Empire in the Kentucky Derby.
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