Saturday, May 7 marks the full return of “the most exciting two minutes in sports” to its rightful spot as one of the most sought after entertainment events in the world, as for the first time since 2019, the 148th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve will be held with no attendance restrictions at Churchill Downs.

Bad weather or not, the Derby is expected to draw more than 150,000 boisterous fans to the iconic Louisville, Ky., track, with millions more watching the race on television or streaming on mobile devices.

The $3 million, Grade 1 Kentucky Derby is a bedrock event in the national sports landscape, and winning the mile-and-a-quarter classic ensures a level of immortality to the horse and his/her connections that no other race in North America can match. Thirteen horses that won the Kentucky Derby have gone on to win the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets and thus etch their names in history as Triple Crown winners, including two this century: American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018).

This year’s Kentucky Derby drew a talented and diverse field that is expected to fill out the 20-horse starting gate. The group is led by two horses who have maintained good form throughout most of the Derby prep season (Epicenter and White Abarrio), two horses that squared off during their 2-year-campaigns and then cycled back to win their final Derby tune-ups (Mo Donegal and Zandon), and a fast-rising California-based colt that will attempt to become only the second horse to win the Derby off of two starts (Taiba).

Open your TwinSpires account using offer code BET200 and start earning your $200 bonus right away.  Create your new wagering account with TwinSpires and earn a $200 sign up bonus!  Must use promo code on registration to be eligible. Valid for one use per household.  

Once you've signed up, opt in and get up to $10 back on your first single horse win bet if your horse runs 2nd or 3rd in eligible races at Churchill Downs from Saturday, April 30, 2022 through Saturday, May 7, 2022. Void where prohibited. Terms and conditions apply. See twinspires.com for details. Must be 18+ (21+ where applicable). For help with a gambling problem, call 1-800-Gambler. Offer for TwinSpires Racing only. Kentucky Derby Week Money Back Offer is valid for all registered players following opt-in. Get your bet back up to $10 on your first single horse win bet if your horse finishes second or third in races with eight or more runners, or if your horse finishes second in races with five or more runners. Applies to all eligible races from  April 30, 2022 to May 7, 2022 at Churchill Downs.

The Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live on NBC and also livestreamed on NBC’s Peacock service. Post time is set for 6:57 p.m. ET. America’s Best Racing will hold a 2 ½-hour livestream at Churchill Downs on Derby Day in conjunction with TwinSpires, offering expert picks and analysis as well as lifestyle segments and a variety of special guest appearances, streaming live on ABR’s social media channels. Air times for the May 7 Derby show, plus livestreams on “Thurby,” May 5 and Longines Kentucky Oaks day, May 6, can be found in this guide along with other TV, radio, and livestreaming programs.

Whether you are interested in making a couple of bucks on the race or just want to know a little bit about this year’s runners, we’ve got you covered with our 2021 Kentucky Derby Cheat Sheet Presented by TwinSpires. 

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1. Mo Donegal (10-1)

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owners: Donegal Racing and Repole Stable

Career record: 5 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $621,800

Earnings per start: $124,360

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 103

Kentucky Derby points: 112

Pedigree: Uncle Mo – Callingmissbrown, by Pulpit

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Every year it seems there is one Kentucky Derby contender that jumps off the program page in terms of all-around qualifications, and this year Mo Donegal fills the bill. Form and class? He’s finished in the money in all five starts and won two graded stakes races. Stamina? Both of those stakes wins came at the distance of 1 1/8 miles (just a furlong shorter than the Kentucky Derby). Plus, he’s by a sire in Uncle Mo who has already begat a Kentucky Derby winner (Nyquist in 2016). Connections? His trainer and owner have both enjoyed success on the first Saturday in May (see below). Add it all up, and Mo Donegal will be a popular Derby pick among many studious horseplayers. His biggest flaws are related: he’s had either slow or troubled starts in four of his five races, and he’s a stone-cold closer. Those two attributes are not ideal ones to have when trying to be first to the finish line against 19 opponents – and now he’s burdened with the dreaded “1 hole” post position. Mo Donegal was all out to win the Wood Memorial Presented by Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct by a neck over Early Voting in his final Derby prep, and he bested Kentucky Derby morning-line favorite Zandon in the Remsen Stakes last December (the aforementioned two mile-and-an-eighth races). He’s got impeccable credentials, but drawing the inside post is not ideal for any Derby contender, and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will have to be on top of his game in order to save ground early and then pick the right time to either find an opening from the rail or move outside. If Ortiz is able to navigate Mo Donegal through the Derby field and the pace is honest enough, this powerfully built colt figures to be rolling through the Churchill Downs stretch Saturday evening with a good shot to fulfill some high expectations. Derby history: Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher has sent more horses to the Kentucky Derby (59) than any other trainer, and he’s won the race twice with Super Saver in 2010 and Always Dreaming in 2017. Pletcher has also finished second twice and third four times. Jerry Crawford’s Donegal Racing has finished third in two Derbys, with Paddy O’ Prado in 2010 and Dullahan in 2012. Mike Repole bought a minority interest in Mo Donegal on April 29; he's been owner or part-owner of six prior Derby horses. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is seeking his first Derby win; his best finish came aboard fourth-place Improbable in 2019.

Bet Mo Donegal in the Kentucky Derby

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2. Happy Jack (30-1)

Jockey: Rafael Bejarano

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Owner: Calumet Farm

Career record: 4 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $182,200

Earnings per start: $45,550

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 98

Kentucky Derby points: 30

Pedigree: Oxbow – Tapistry, by Tapit

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: By virtue of finishing third in two Kentucky Derby qualifying preps earlier this year at Santa Anita Park, Happy Jack earned 30 points and found his way into the starting gate. The Oxbow colt was no threat whatsoever in the San Felipe Stakes won by Forbidden Kingdom and the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby won by Taiba, and finished a combined 22 ¾ lengths behind that pair. In his race prior to the San Felipe, Happy Jack earned zero Derby points by checking in 27 ¼ lengths back of Messier in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. His only win came in a six-furlong sprint in January and since being stretched out to two turns he’s posted Equibase Speed Figures of 64, 86, and 84. The 2022 California-based Derby contingent has turned out to be mediocre overall, a departure from most years, and aside from some name appeal for fans of The Who and having a two-time Derby-winning trainer, it’s hard to find any positives in Happy Jack’s portfolio. He nabbed third in those two Santa Anita preps mainly due to competing in small fields, and he’ll be facing the exact opposite on May 7. Derby history: Doug O’Neill’s two Derby wins came with I’ll Have Another in 2012 and undefeated Nyquist in 2016. His popular runner Hot Rod Charlie was also elevated from third to second in the 2021 Derby earlier this year when Medina Spirit was disqualified. Jockey Rafael Bejarano has made 11 prior Derby appearances, finishing fourth in 2009. Calumet Farm holds the all-time Derby record for wins by an owner with eight, and those all came when the Wright family operated Calumet during mid- to late-20^th Century: Triple Crown winner Whirlaway in 1941; Pensive in 1944; Triple Crown winner Citation in 1948; Ponder in 1949; Hill Gail in 1952; Iron Liege in 1957; Tim Tam in 1958; and Forward Pass in 1968. Current owner Brad Kelley has sent six horses to the Derby, with two sixth-place finishers.

Bet Happy Jack in the Kentucky Derby

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3. Epicenter (7-2)

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds

Career record: 6 starts – 4 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $1,010,639

Earnings per start: $168,440

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 97

Kentucky Derby points: 164

Pedigree: Not This Time – Silent Candy, by Candy Ride

Color: Bay

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Epicenter rampaged through the four-race series of Kentucky Derby preps at Fair Grounds and came up a head short of winning all of them, earning an Equibase Speed Figure of 97 in each race. He clicks a lot of boxes for an ideal Kentucky Derby horse: he’s got tactical speed, responds well to handling, and has shown some competitiveness when challenged (which has been rarely this year). Epicenter set the pace in his second-to-last start, winning the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford by an easy 2 ¾ lengths, but he showed the ability to rate in his final prep, sitting off of pacesetting Zozos in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby before dispatching that foe in early stretch and rolling to a 2 ½-length score. There’s not a large amount of early speed lined up in this year’s Kentucky Derby, and horses racing on or near the lead have done very well in recent years. Look for jockey Joel Rosario to strive for the right balance between aggressiveness and judiciousness when positioning Epicenter among the early leaders Saturday evening. This ultra-consistent son of successful young sire Not This Time is a main win candidate in Derby 148 (although in a mild surprise he was not pegged as the morning-line favorite) and he is a must-use in exacta and trifecta tickets. Derby history: Steve Asmussen, a member of the Racing Hall of Fame and the all-time winningest trainer in North America, has finished second twice in the Kentucky Derby (2011, Nehro; 2017, Lookin At Lee) and third twice from 23 starters. The Winchell family has either owned or co-owned 11 prior Derby starters, and their best finish came with Asmussen-trained third-place finisher Gun Runner in 2016, whom they owned in partnership with Three Chimneys Farm and Besilu Stables. Joel Rosario, the reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey, won the 2013 Kentucky Derby aboard Orb.

Bet Epicenter in the Kentucky Derby

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4. Summer Is Tomorrow (30-1)

Jockey: Mikael Barzalona

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar

Owners: Michael Hilary Burke and Negar Burke

Career record: 7 starts – 2 wins – 3 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $267,606

Earnings per start: $38,229

Top Equibase Speed Figure: n/a

Kentucky Derby points: 40

Pedigree: Summer Front – Always Tomorrow, by Badge of Silver

Color: Bay

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: This Kentucky-bred, Dubai-based front-runner has a chance to be the longest shot in the Kentucky Derby field come post time, although given the hopeful vibe his name evokes, he could receive some extra support in the parimutuel pools from once-per-year bettors. He ships from halfway around the world to Louisville off of a runner-up finish in the 1 3/16-mile UAE Derby Sponsored by Mubadala, where he went to the lead early, cruised through the backstretch in front, kept that advantage into early stretch, and then ran out of gas with around 100 yards to go. Summer Is Tomorrow had built a large enough lead to defeat 14 other horses, but race winner Crown Pride easily passed him late and won by 2 ¾ lengths. Prior to the UAE Derby, the son of Summer Front won two of six starts in Dubai, all coming in races held at seven furlongs or shorter. His overall résumé does not exactly inspire confidence for winning the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby, and it would be a surprise to see Summer Is Tomorrow make any impression at all in the Derby apart from contesting the pace for the first six furlongs or so – even doing that much might be a stretch. Derby history: This is the first Derby for all of Summer Is Tomorrow’s connections.

Bet Summer Is Tomorrow in the Kentucky Derby

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5. Smile Happy (20-1)

Jockey: Corey Lanerie

Trainer: Ken McPeek

Owner: Lucky Seven Stable

Career record: 4 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $549,810

Earnings per start: $137,453

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 104

Kentucky Derby points: 70

Pedigree: Runhappy – Pleasant Smile, by Pleasant Tap

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Smile Happy jumped to the upper echelon of Kentucky Derby contenders back in November, when he followed up a blowout maiden win at Keeneland with another romp, this time in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. He’s remained in that position ever since despite finishing second in both of his 2022 starts. Those came against Epicenter in the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford at Fair Grounds and then, most recently, against Zandon (who was third in the Risen Star) in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. In the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass, Smile Happy was ridden with supreme confidence by Corey Lanerie, who positioned him in a stalking spot behind pacesetter Emmanuel before pushing him into contention at the top of the stretch. Smile Happy surged past Emmanuel but had no response when Zandon charged from well back in the field to win going away. That finish illustrates the main concern with Smile Happy: his ability to win at the Kentucky Derby’s classic distance. He’s undoubtedly talented, but he’s also by the young sire Runhappy. Runhappy was one of the fastest horses of the past 10 years in dirt races — but he was a champion sprinter, and Smile Happy is to date his best runner in two-turn races. He’ll need to muster the same sort of finishing ability in the Derby that he displayed last fall as a 2-year-old, and it’s questionable whether he can do that in the mile-and-a-quarter Derby given his pedigree limitations. Derby history: Ken McPeek has one second-place Derby finish (Tejano Run, 1995) among six prior Derby starters. Churchill Downs-based Corey Lanerie finished second in the 2017 Derby aboard Lookin At Lee. Smile Happy is the first Derby starter for the Mackin family’s Lucky Seven Stable.

Bet Smile Happy in the Kentucky Derby

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6. Messier (8-1)

Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer: Tim Yakteen

Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm

Career record: 6 starts – 3 wins – 3 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $435,600

Earnings per start: $72,600

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 107

Kentucky Derby points: 40

Pedigree: Empire Maker – Checkered Past, by Smart Strike

Color: Bay

Running style: Press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Somewhat overshadowed by his stablemate Taiba’s hype, Messier comes into the Kentucky Derby having finishing in the exacta in all six of his career starts and with a career-top dirt Equibase Speed Figure of 107 that is tied with Zandon as the best in the field. He’s been well supported since his first race back in June 2021 when he finished second at Los Alamitos at odds of 1-2, and when he debuted as a 3-year-old and romped by 15 lengths against four overmatched opponents in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park (earning that 107 figure), Messier was pegged as one of the future-book favorites for Derby 148 despite being trained by Bob Baffert, who had already been banned by Churchill Downs. Messier was transferred to Baffert’s former assistant Tim Yakteen prior to a start in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, and he thus became Derby-eligible in his last-chance race. He sat just behind pacesetter and even-money favorite Forbidden Kingdom in the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby and put away that tiring foe entering the homestretch, but he could not withstand a late charge from Taiba (who was making only his second start) and finished 2 ¼ lengths behind the winner. While Messier has certainly established himself as a quality 3-year-old, it’s troubling that he gave up a clear and late lead in his last race. He also could not hold on to win the Los Alamitos Futurity in his last start at 2, losing to Slow Down Andy — a good but hardly world-beating colt — by a length. All in all, Messier figures to get his name called two or three times in the Kentucky Derby since he likes to be forwardly placed, and he could even remain in contention through the far turn. It would be a surprise to see him in Derby the winner’s circle, however, despite his status as the 8-1 third betting choice on the morning line. Derby history: Yakteen will be competing his first Derby with Messier and Taiba. Among Messier’s large ownership group, Jack and Laurie Wolf’s Starlight Racing co-owned 2018 Derby and Triple Crown winner Justify and 2020 Derby victor Authentic. Sol Kumin and Jason Monteleone’s Madaket Stables also were part of Authentic’s ownership group. Anthony Manganero’s Siena Farm co-owned 2017 Derby winner Always Dreaming. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez was aboard Messier in the Robert B. Lewis and Santa Anita Derby and retains the mount — a big plus. Velazquez has three Derby wins (Authentic, Always Dreaming, and Animal Kingdom in 2011) along with two seconds from 23 starters. He also was aboard Medina Spirit last year; the colt finished first after setting the pace but was disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance.

Bet Messier in the Kentucky Derby

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7. Crown Pride (20-1)

Jockey: Christophe Lemaire

Trainer: Koichi Shintani

Owner: Teruya Yoshida

Career record: 4 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $734,569

Earnings per start: $183,642

Top Equibase Speed Figure: n/a

Kentucky Derby points: 100

Pedigree: Reach the Crown – Emmy’s Pride, by King Kamehameha

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: In recent years, a pair of Japan-based horses have started in the Kentucky Derby and made respectable showings. Lani finished ninth in 2016 before training on to run third in the Belmont Stakes, and Master Fencer checked in sixth in 2019 (moved up from seventh). Crown Pride, who shipped to Louisville after winning the UAE Derby Sponsored by Mubadala in Dubai, has a chance to surpass his two predecessors even if overall he’s a longshot to win the Kentucky Derby. He raced three wide through the backstretch in the UAE Derby in a stalking position and, despite not changing leads during his stretch run, he dispatched pacesetter Summer Is Tomorrow in the final 100 or so yards and won the 1 3/16-mile race by 2 ¾ lengths. Prior to that, Crown Pride won two of three starts in Japan against competition that is far inferior to what he’ll face on May 7. He’s been at Churchill for several weeks, and tossed his exercise rider in a April 22 workout on Churchill’s track before posting a sharp four-furlong drill on April 27 that was the best of 30 horses training at that distance. It’s always a challenge to decipher how foreign-based horses will do in North America’s biggest race — as Mike Curry noted in his profile of Crown Pride, no horse coming out of the UAE Derby has ever finished in the top three in the Kentucky Derby — but at least this colt seems to be getting acclimated to Churchill’s track. He’s worth a look as a superfecta filler and could be making up some late ground in the stretch. Derby history: This is the first Derby for Crown Pride’s owner and trainer. Jockey Christophe Lemaire is a leading international rider, with much of his success coming in Japan, and he will also be making his Derby debut.

Bet Crown Pride in the Kentucky Derby

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8. Charge It (20-1)

Jockey: Luis Saez

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owner: Whisper Hill Farm

Career record: 3 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $230,400

Earnings per start: $76,800

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 103

Kentucky Derby points: 40

Pedigree: Tapit – I’ll Take Charge, by Indian Charlie

Color: Gray or roan

Running style: Press the pace/stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Charge It, like Taiba and Zozos, is a lightly raced 3-year-old who didn’t make his first start until early in his 3-year-old season, in his case Jan. 8 at Gulfstream Park. He finished second by a neck in that one-turn mile event after dueling for the lead throughout, and then improved significantly in his next start to dominate another one-mile race at Gulfstream by 8 ½ lengths while earning a 103 Equibase Speed Figure. Owner Mandy Pope then moved her homebred colt way up the class ladder to compete in the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm at Xalapa, and Charge It validated that ambitious decision by overcoming a rough start and some immaturity to finish a clear second behind White Abarrio. After stalking the pace, Charge It made a sweeping four-wide move into the stretch to reach contention but then raced erratically, lugging in a couple of times under Luis Saez. He has since reeled off a couple of good workouts for Todd Pletcher – one in Florida and then an April 22 breeze at Churchill Downs. Charge It is a physically impressive, long-striding specimen and he has arguably the best stamina pedigree in the Kentucky Derby field as a son of Tapit who’s from the female family of route Grade 1 winners Will Take Charge, Take Charge Indy, Take Charge Lady, and Omaha Beach. Truthfully, he has the aura of a colt who’ll earn some more valuable racing experience in this year’s Kentucky Derby and then wheel back for Pope and Pletcher in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets on June 11 as a viable win candidate. He’s a longshot win candidate in Derby 148 but a horse with a very bright future. Derby history: Pletcher has two Derby wins (Super Saver, 2010, and Always Dreaming, 2017), two seconds, and four thirds from a record 59 starters. Luis Saez has had eight prior Derby mounts; he was aboard first-place finisher Maximum Security in 2019 and felt like a Derby winner for about 20 minutes only to see his horse disqualified for interference. Saez also rode Essential Quality to a fourth-place finish last year; the colt was elevated to third in February 2022 after Medina Spirit was DQ’d. This will be the second Derby for Mandy Pope, and first as sole owner.

Bet Charge It in the Kentucky Derby

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9. Tiz the Bomb (30-1)

Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Trainer: Ken McPeek

Owner: Magdalena Racing

Career record: 8 starts – 5 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $1,044,401

Earnings per start: $130,550

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 109

Kentucky Derby points: 110

Pedigree: Hit It a Bomb – Tiz the Key, by Tiznow

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Tiz the Bomb has established himself as one of the most talented racehorses of his age group, racking up four stakes wins and a runner-up finish in a Grade 1 race through eight career starts. The only concern with him – and it’s a big one – is that all of those stakes wins came on either turf or synthetic surfaces. Earlier this year, when facing a tough field in the Holy Bull Stakes on dirt at Gulfstream Park — including White Abarrio, Simplification, and Mo Donegal — Tiz the Bomb was never in contention and finished seventh of nine, defeated by 20 ¼ lengths. This son of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Hit It a Bomb did break his maiden on dirt last summer at Ellis Park, but that race was originally scheduled for turf as noted in Mike Curry’s recent Derby contender profile. On the positive side, his two wins on Turfway Park’s synthetic Tapeta surface leading up to the Kentucky Derby were visually impressive, especially his 2 ¼-length score over Tawny Port in the Jeff Ruby Steaks that netted him 100 Derby qualifying points and a 109 Equibase Speed Figure. Tawny Port came back to win the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes on dirt, and Tiz the Bomb has put in two solid workouts on Churchill’s main dirt track since the Jeff Ruby. If his Holy Bull effort was indeed a toss-out race and he runs to his synthetic and turf form on May 7, Tiz the Bomb could light up the tote board with a top-three finish as he fits the profile of a Derby horse based on stamina and class. Derby history: Trainer Ken McPeek has had six prior starters in the Kentucky and finished second with his first horse, Tejano Run in 1995. This is the Derby debut for the Magdalena Racing partnership, which McPeek founded. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. has made two prior Derby starts.

Bet Tiz the Bomb in the Kentucky Derby

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10. Zandon (3-1)

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Trainer: Chad Brown

Owner: Jeff Drown

Career record: 4 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third

Career earnings: $713,000

Earnings per start: $178,250

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 107

Kentucky Derby points: 114

Pedigree: Upstart – Memories Prevail, by Creative Cause

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Stalker/closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: A patient approach has worked wonders with this colt, who rolls into the Kentucky Derby off of four spaced-out starts dating back to last October and is coming out of his best race yet, a 2 ½-length win in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. The Equibase Speed Figure of 107 Zandon earned in that victory is tied for the highest on dirt with Messier among Kentucky Derby starters, and represents a big leap forward from the three 93 figures he tallied in his prior starts, including a third-place effort behind Epicenter and Smile Happy in the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford. Zandon has butted heads with the best of his age group through his four starts – losing by a nose to Mo Donegal in last December’s Remsen Stakes – and he fits right in among the leading Kentucky Derby contenders, although as a stalker/closer he’ll need a relatively clean trip and some racing luck to set up his finishing kick. His pedigree is also a bit more suspect for handling 1 ¼ miles when compared with some of the other top Derby prospects. Nevertheless, Zandon has been training lights out over the past couple of months in Florida and Kentucky and could be sitting on his career-best race. If that indeed is the case – look out. He drew a favorable post position for his stalking style, midway through the field at post 10, and has been installed as the slight 3-1 morning-line favorite over Epicenter. Derby history: Zandon is owner Jeff Drown’s first Derby starter. Chad Brown, a four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer, has had six prior Derby horses and finished second in 2018 with Good Magic. Jockey Flavien Prat rode Zandon for the first time in the Blue Grass; the native of France is on a fast track to becoming one of the preeminent riders in North America. Prat became a Kentucky Derby-winning jockey in 2019 when Country House was elevated from second to first after Maximum Security was disqualified for interference shortly after the race concluded. And in February of this year, Prat and Hot Rod Charlie were officially moved up from third to second in the 2021 Kentucky Derby after first-place finisher Medina Spirit was disqualified from the win due to a medication violation.

Bet Zandon in the Kentucky Derby

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11. Pioneer of Medina (30-1)

Jockey: Joe Bravo

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owner: Sumaya U.S. Stable

Career record: 6 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $181,350

Earnings per start: $30,225

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 96

Kentucky Derby points: 25

Pedigree: Pioneerof the Nile – Lights of Medina, by Eskendereya

Color: Bay

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Pioneer of Medina joined the Derby field on May 1 after the connections of Early Voting decided to target the Preakness Stakes. After posting a couple of nice wins in route races to start off his 2022 campaign at Fair Grounds, the bay colt pressed the pace in both the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford and the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby but could not overtake front-running Epicenter in the former and Zozos in the latter, finishing a tiring fourth in the Risen Star and third in the Louisiana Derby (which was won by Epicenter coming from off the pace). His overall form and racing style indicates that this Pioneerof the Nile colt will be forwardly placed in the Kentucky Derby, so he should make an impact in terms of determining the early fractions. It’s hard to see him finishing in the money, though. Derby history: Todd Pletcher owns the record for trainers with the most Kentucky Derby starters, currently at 59. He’s won the Derby twice with Super Saver in 2010 and Always Dreaming in 2017, and has also finished second twice and third four times. This will be the first Derby for owner Oussama Aboughazale. Joe Bravo has had three prior Derby mounts, and finished third in 2014.

Bet Pioneer of Medina in the Kentucky Derby

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12. Taiba (12-1)

Jockey: Mike Smith

Trainer: Tim Yakteen

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Career record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $490,200

Earnings per start: $245,100

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 102

Kentucky Derby points: 100

Pedigree: Gun Runner – Needmore Flattery, by Flatter

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Press the pace/stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Taiba takes top honors among 2022 Kentucky Derby starters when weighing his positive and negative attributes as a win candidate and deciding whether to take a stand for or against – he’s the quintessential X-factor in the race. Based on the eye test, Taiba should be one of the favorites in the 148^th run for the roses, and he probably will be when the starting gate opens. That’s despite the fact that he’s made only two — that’s right, two — career starts and they both will have come in just over two months prior to May 7. Under Bob Baffert’s guidance, Taiba romped in his debut, a six-furlong sprint on March 5 at Santa Anita Park, and the Gun Runner colt was then transferred along with Messier to trainer Tim Yakteen while Baffert began serving a suspension ordered by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and a two-year ban from Churchill Downs. Yakteen started both Taiba and Messier in the April 4 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby held at 1 1/8 miles, and Taiba took to two turns with relish, sitting off of the pace and then powering through the stretch to defeat Messier by 2 ¼ lengths. He ships to Louisville having earned consecutive 102 Equibase Speed Figures, and the $1.7 million purchase has plenty of potential left to fulfill. The question is, of course, can he take that next step moving out of two races where he defeated a total of 11 opponents into the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby where he’ll face 19 — in just his third race. Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman did some research and found that only one horse in the history of the Kentucky Derby won the race off of two career starts. That happened way back in 1883 (Leonatus). Can Taiba become the second? Pure physical talent often trumps experience in athletic competition, and if Taiba wins the Kentucky Derby he’ll have to summon even more ability to overcome another class hurdle. Having “Big Money” Mike Smith in the irons enhances his chances, to say the least. Derby history: Smith has won the Kentucky Derby twice, with longshot Giacomo in 2005 and with favorite Justify in 2018. Justify, who broke the “curse of Apollo” by becoming the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without racing at age 2 since 1882, went on to win the Triple Crown. Smith has also finished second four times in the Derby and third once. Amr Zedan owned Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit, who finished first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby but was disqualified earlier this year for a medication violation. This will be Tim Yakteen’s first Kentucky Derby appearance as lead trainer.

Bet Taiba in the Kentucky Derby

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13. Simplification (20-1)

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Trainer: Antonio Sano

Owner: Tami Bobo

Career record: 7 starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $515,350

Earnings per start: $73,621

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99

Kentucky Derby points: 74

Pedigree: Not This Time – Simply Confection, by Candy Ride

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: This consistent and classy Florida-bred has not left the familiar confines of Gulfstream Park through his seven-race career, and he’s also remained in training down at Gulfstream leading up to the Kentucky Derby. That’s how Antonio Sano does things, and he followed a similar pattern when sending Gunnevera to Churchill Downs for the 2017 run for the roses. Simplification echoes $5.5 million earner Gunnevera in other ways as well: they both finished second, first, and third in the three Derby preps at Gulfstream with their wins coming in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes. In Simplification’s case, he hasn’t run a bad race since his debut on Gulfstream’s synthetic Tapeta Footings surface last October. He followed a 3 ½-length score in the Fountain of Youth with a very respectable third-place effort in the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, where he was part of a contested pace and showed some fight in the stretch before yielding to White Abarrio and Charge It. Overall, his Equibase Speed Figures are a cut below those earned by the top Kentucky Derby contenders, but Simplification is, to echo his name, simply too good of a racehorse to toss off of exotic tickets. He has shown the versatility to press the pace, stalk, or come from farther back; on May 7, look for jockey Jose Ortiz to have him among the first five or six horses early on and continuing through the backstretch before asking him for his best. Derby history: Gunnevera finished seventh in the 2017 Derby for Sano. Jose Ortiz was aboard 2018 Derby runner-up Good Magic and 2019 third-place finisher Tacitus. This will be the first Derby for owner Tami Bobo.

Bet Simplification in the Kentucky Derby

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14. Barber Road (30-1)

Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez

Trainer: John Ortiz

Owner: WSS Racing

Career record: 8 starts – 2 wins – 4 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $650,720

Earnings per start: $81,340

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 96

Kentucky Derby points: 58

Pedigree: Race Day – Encounter, by Southern Image

Color: Gray or roan

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: This colt is a leading candidate for the (unofficial) fan favorite award in Derby 148. He brings a new and appealing group of faces to the sport’s biggest stage in young trainer John Ortiz, even younger jockey Reylu Gutierrez, and owner WSS Racing who, despite being comprised of former Walmart CEO Bill Simon and his wife, Tammy, spent the modest sum of $15,000 to purchase Barber Road as a weanling. He competed in all four of Oaklawn Park’s Kentucky Derby prep races and accumulated qualifying points by finishing second, second, third, and second in them, the last one coming in the Arkansas Derby when he churned through the stretch to fill out the exacta behind Cyberknife. Barber Road won twice last fall as a juvenile by setting the pace, but this year at age 3 he’s developed into a come-from-behind closer. The son of young (and unproven) sire Race Day has earned Equibase Speed Figures that are around 10-15 points below those of top-echelon Derby contenders, and he’s settled into a consistent form pattern that, while successful, won’t be enough to get him to the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle. If a hot pace develops, Barber Road could sneak into the superfecta or, less likely, the trifecta — which would be a great result for his connections and fans. Derby history: As indicated above, this will be the first Derby appearance for Barber Road’s owner, trainer, and jockey.

Bet Barber Road in the Kentucky Derby

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15. White Abarrio (10-1)

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Owners: C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable

Career record: 5 starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $823,650

Earnings per start: $164,730

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 102

Kentucky Derby points: 112

Pedigree: Race Day – Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief

Color: Gray or roan

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Aside from Epicenter, White Abarrio brings arguably the most impressive résumé to the Kentucky Derby in terms of consistency. He won two of three starts as a 2-year-old with his only loss coming in a third-place finish last fall behind Smile Happy and Classic Causeway in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. Earlier this year, he impressively won two important Derby preps at Gulfstream Park, the most recent being a 1 ¼-length victory in the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa. This colt has a perfect stalking running style for the Kentucky Derby; barring any early misfortune in the 20-horse field, he should be angling out on the far turn from midpack and in position to finish strongly, as he has in all five of his starts. Question marks for White Abarrio concern his pedigree (he is the best runner so far by the young sire Race Day, who does come from the Tapit/Pulpit/A.P. Indy line), and the fact that all four of his wins have come at Gulfstream Park. That said, his third in the Kentucky Jockey Club was a solid effort, and White Abarrio has improved by leaps and bounds since that race. Gaffalione, who was aboard White Abarrio for both of his stakes wins in Florida, has won the jockey title for six meets and counting at Churchill Downs. He should have this colt in contention to at least hit the board in the Derby, and possibly earn a history-making victory. Derby history: White Abarrio is Gaffalione’s fifth Derby mount, will be the second Derby starter for Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., and is the first Derby horse for his co-owners.

Bet White Abarrio in the Kentucky Derby

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16. Cyberknife (20-1)

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Trainer: Brad Cox

Owner: Gold Square

Career record: 6 starts – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $860,000

Earnings per start: $143,333

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 100

Kentucky Derby points: 100

Pedigree: Gun Runner – Awesome Flower, by Flower Alley

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Stalker/press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: This colt is developing at just the right time to earn some backstretch buzz leading up to Derby 148, as he’s posted a couple of sharp workouts for reigning Eclipse Award-winning trainer and Louisville native Brad Cox at Churchill since his breakthrough Arkansas Derby win. Cyberknife made a nice middle move in that 1 1/8-mile prep at Oaklawn Park to seize command entering the far turn, and despite racing greenly in the stretch, he put away the field in a 2 ¾-length victory, with Barber Road finishing second. Cox has been high on this horse since he made two starts last fall at Churchill in sprint races (he was disqualified from a win in his debut for interference, and then ran a close second), and he’s arguably got the best shot to win among the trainer’s trio of Derby starters. Cyberknife has a solid stamina pedigree for the Derby — his sire, Gun Runner, won the Breeders’ Cup Classic and is off to an incredible start in the breeding shed — and his stalking running style is suitable for this year’s race, which projects to have a moderate early pace. Jockey Florent Geroux rode Mandaloun to a second-place finish in last year’s Derby (subsequently elevated to first) by positioning his horse just off of early leader (and disqualified winner) Medina Spirit and keeping out of traffic trouble. He could very well orchestrate a similar trip with Cyberknife. This colt is a second-tier win candidate for the Derby but a definite threat to hit the board. Derby history: Brad Cox and Florent Geroux both earned their first Derby victories in a way no one prefers when the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission disqualified Medina Spirit in February 2022 and declared Mandaloun the winner of Derby 147. Cox-trained Essential Quality was also moved up to third in last year’s Derby. Geroux previously finished third in the 2016 Derby aboard the aforementioned Gun Runner, who would be voted Horse of the Year in 2017. This is the first Derby for owner Al Gold.

Bet Cyberknife in the Kentucky Derby

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17. Classic Causeway (30-1)

Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Trainer: Brian Lynch

Owners: Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper

Career record: 6 starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 1 third

Career earnings: $521,100

Earnings per start: $86,850

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 104

Kentucky Derby points: 66

Pedigree: Giant's Causeway – Private World, by Thunder Gulch

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Pacesetter

Notable achievements and interesting facts: After winning both of Tampa Bay Downs’ Kentucky Derby preps impressively, Classic Causeway finished a perplexing last of 11 in his final prep, the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa at Gulfstream Park. That prompted his connections to pull the colt out of Derby consideration despite his having earned more than enough qualifying points. But on April 25, trainer Brian Lynch announced that Classic Causeway was pointing toward the Derby after all. It’s safe to say that he’ll be a longshot come post time based on his Florida Derby effort. In that race, he set the early pace just as he did when dominating both the Sam F. Davis Stakes and the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, only to abruptly retreat midway through the backstretch. Lynch said that he’s found no problems with the colt and indeed, Classic Causeway been training well at Churchill Downs over the past several weeks. This colt had a successful 2-year-old season, including a runner-up effort to Smile Happy in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. That desultory finish in the Florida Derby is hard to forget, however. At the very least, Classic Causeway should help to ensure an honest pace in Derby 148. Derby history: This will be the first run for the roses for trainer Lynch and owners Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper. Julien Leparoux has ridden in 13 prior Derbys, his best finish a fourth aboard Classic Empire in 2017.

Bet Classic Causeway in the Kentucky Derby

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18. Tawny Port (30-1)

Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Trainer: Brad Cox

Owner: Peachtree Stable

Career record: 5 starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $427,000

Earnings per start: $85,400

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 102

Kentucky Derby points: 60

Pedigree: Pioneerof the Nile – Livi Mackenzie, by Macho Uno

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Tawny Port profiled as a longshot win contender in the Kentucky Derby prior to his final prep start given that both of his career wins and arguably his best race (a runner-up effort in the Jeff Ruby Steaks) came on Turfway Park’s synthetic track. Then, he made a last-ditch effort to grab more Derby qualifying points by starting in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 16, and he won that 1 1/16-mile race on dirt by a length with a visually impressive off-the-pace rally. Truthfully, this son of 2009 Derby runner-up Pioneerof the Nile is still an outsider win candidate for Derby 148, but he silenced some doubters with his recent victory — and also boosted the form of Tiz the Bomb, who bested Tawny Port in the Jeff Ruby one race before the Lexington. He should be positioned in midpack through the first mile or so in the Derby and has shown enough stamina in his five races (all coming around two turns) to be worthy of consideration as a trifecta or superfecta filler who could pass some tiring runners late. Derby history: Brad Cox’s first two Kentucky Derby starters came last year and their positions were adjusted earlier this year: Mandaloun was elevated from second to the 2021 race winner when Medina Spirit was disqualified, and eventual champion 3-year-old male Essential Quality was moved up to third. Owner John Fort’s Peachtree Stable finished second in the 2001 Derby with longshot Invisible Ink. Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. has had seven prior mounts in the Derby.

Bet Tawny Port in the Kentucky Derby

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19. Zozos (20-1)

Jockey: Manny Franco

Trainer: Brad Cox

Owners: Barry and Joni Butzow

Career record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $291,200

Earnings per start: $97,067

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 94

Kentucky Derby points: 40

Pedigree: Munnings – Papa’s Forest, by Forestry

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Lightly raced Zozos enters the Kentucky Derby off of a runner-up finish in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, in which he set the pace with pressure coming from Pioneer of Medina and held on well in the homestretch to finish 2 ½ lengths behind Epicenter, who projects to be the first or second post-time betting choice May 7. He’s made a smooth ascent in form and Equibase Speed Figures since winning his career debut in January and figures to keep developing in the coming months under the expert guidance of Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox. Jumping from a respectable Louisiana Derby finish into the much tougher waters of the Kentucky Derby threatens to derail that progress, however. Justify is only horse to win the Kentucky Derby without making a start as a 2-year-old since 1882, and to borrow a phrase from the late Lloyd Bentsen, Zozos is no Justify. The best-case scenario for this son of sprinter Munnings is to contest the Derby pace scenario and somehow have enough left in the tank for a stretch battle with several foes who possess wins at 1 1/8 miles or longer and better stamina pedigrees. He’ll be a longshot, in other words. Derby history: Cox earned his first Kentucky Derby win last year in his first appearance, when Mandaloun was elevated to victor in February 2022 via the disqualification of Medina Spirit. Cox’s champion Essential Quality was moved up to third in the 2021 order of finish. Jockey Manny Franco finished second in the September 2020 Derby aboard favorite Tiz the Law, who had already won the Belmont Stakes in that pandemic-altered year. Owners Barry and Joni Butzow have their first Derby horse in Zozos.

Bet Zozos in the Kentucky Derby

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20. Rich Strike (30-1)

Jockey: Sonny Leon

Trainer: Eric Reed

Owner: RED TR-Racing

Career record: 7 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 3 thirds

Career earnings: $111,289

Earnings per start: $15,898

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 96

Kentucky Derby points: 21

Pedigree: Keen Ice – Gold Strike, by Smart Strike

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Rich Strike was listed as the first also-eligible in the Kentucky Derby field, and drew in to the race when Ethereal Road was withdrawn on May 6. Breaking from the outside post position, he’s a good chance to be the longest shot in the Derby when the starting gates open, and possibly by a large margin. His only win was last September in a maiden claiming race (which was at Churchill Downs, at least) and all three of his starts during his 3-year-old season have come in stakes races on Turfway Park’s synthetic Tapeta Footings surface. He finished third, fourth, and third in those races, the last one in the Jeff Ruby Steaks on April 2 behind Tiz the Bomb and Tawny Port. He usually makes up ground in his races but without much acceleration – a classic “grinder.” The mile-and-a-quarter Derby distance should not pose a problem for Rich Strike, who is by Travers Stakes winner Keen Ice and out of a mare who was a champion 3-year-old filly in Canada and who won the Woodbine Oaks. The talent he’ll face in the Derby, on the other hand, should be a big problem for this working-class contender. Derby history: This will be the first Kentucky Derby starter for Rich Strike’s connections.

Bet Rich Strike in the Kentucky Derby

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Ethereal Road (SCRATCHED)

Jockey: Luis Contreras

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

Owners: Julie Gilbert and Aaron Sones

Career record: 7 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third

Career earnings: $294,545

Earnings per start: $42,078

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 94

Kentucky Derby points: 22

Pedigree: Quality Road – Sustained, by War Front

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas held the record for most Kentucky Derby starters until Todd Pletcher surpassed him several years ago. The 86-year-old Hall of Famer has sent 49 horses to North America’s marquee race, and he’s well known for making all possible efforts to get a horse into the Derby if that’s what the owners want. Ethereal Road sat on the also-eligible list for several days, but at the last minute (on the morning of the May 2 draw) he joined the 2022 Derby field when Un Ojo was withdrawn due to a foot bruise. Now, “The Coach” is back on the big stage. Ethereal Road becomes Lukas’ 50^th Derby starter and his first since Bravazo in 2018. The Quality Road colt jumped into the Derby picture with a fast-closing second to longshot Un Ojo in the Rebel Stakes but fizzled in his next two Derby points races when seventh in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and then fourth in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes run one week later. Drawing the far outside post position shouldn’t matter too much to this deep closer, and he could pass a few horses in the stretch if the pace is fast enough – anything more would be a major shock. Providing a fun Derby week experience for the forever youthful Lukas and owners Julie Gilbert and Aaron Sones may end up being accomplishment enough for this colt. Derby history: Lukas’s Derby wins came with the filly Winning Colors (1988), Thunder Gulch (1995), Grindstone (1996), and Charismatic (1999). He’s finished second once and third five times. Gilbert and Sones had a Derby starter in 2016. Jockey Luis Contreras will be making his third Derby appearance. Editor’s note: Ethereal Road was withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby Friday, May 6, at 9 a.m. ET.

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22. Rattle N Roll (also-eligible, SCRATCHED)

Jockey: James Graham

Trainer: Ken McPeek

Owner: Lucky Seven Stable

Career record: 7 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $435,960

Earnings per start: $62,280

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 100

Kentucky Derby points: 20

Pedigree: Connect – Jazz Tune, by Johannesburg

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Once upon a time, Rattle N Roll was one of the leading contenders for the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Actually, that time was only three to four months ago. He had first gained support last fall with a three-length maiden win in a 1 1/16-mile race at Churchill Downs followed by a visually impressive 4 ¼-length score in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland. He then suffered a foot abscess and missed the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and did not make his return to the track until March 5 in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes. Rattle N Roll has not been the same racehorse at age 3, finishing sixth in the Fountain of Youth, fourth in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, and then sixth again in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. His total margin of defeat in those races: 26 lengths. Rattle N Roll has trained steadily at Churchill Downs since the Blue Grass and moved up on the Derby also-eligible list May 2 when Un Ojo was declared out. This deep closer will need a lot of luck to get into the Derby field, and even more – truckloads more – to be a factor should he make the race, based on his 3-year-old form. Derby history: McPeek finished second in his Derby debut with Tejano Run in 1995. This will be jockey James Graham’s third Derby horse. Editor’s note: Rattle N Roll did not draw into the Derby from the also-eligible list.