The Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve is a unique challenge for 3-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. Not only are talent, speed, and stamina tested as these racehorses navigate 1 ¼ miles for the first time, but the competitors must process far more information than ever before in a 20-horse field in front of 150,000 screaming fans. Winning the first jewel of the Triple Crown takes both elite athletic ability and a strong mind.

For the 12^th year, Kerry Thomas and Pete Denk of THT Bloodstock have compiled a “Patterns of Motion” analysis of the Kentucky Derby.

According to its website, “THT is the only company in the world that specializes in analyzing the mind of the racehorse as it relates to class, distance, aptitude, performance, and breeding.” To quote Thomas in the 2022 Kentucky Derby Herd Dynamics Analysis: “The mental capacity of the equine, controls the physical output of the athlete.”

This year’s reports is available on Brisnet and includes 48 pages of comprehensive analysis that you won’t find anywhere else on all of the horses entered in the Kentucky Derby.

America’s Best Racing has done several videos and stories with THT Bloodstock through the years and this year Thomas provided us with short videos on all of the Kentucky Derby contenders that we’ll be sharing within stories and social media in the days leading up to the May 7 run for the roses.

Below are videos with insights into the 10 horses that amassed the most qualifying points leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

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THT Bloodstock Kentucky Derby Analysis: 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

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THT Bloodstock Kentucky Derby Analysis: 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

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THT Bloodstock Kentucky Derby Analysis: 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

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THT Bloodstock Kentucky Derby Analysis: 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

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THT Bloodstock Kentucky Derby Analysis: 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

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THT Bloodstock Kentucky Derby Analysis: 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

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THT Bloodstock Kentucky Derby Analysis: Crown Pride (20-1)

Jockey: Christophe Lemaire

Trainer: Kochi Shintani

Owner: Teruya Yoshida

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

Career earnings: $734,569

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THT Bloodstock Kentucky Derby Analysis: 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

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THT Bloodstock Kentucky Derby Analysis: 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

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THT Bloodstock Kentucky Derby Analysis: 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