Kentucky Derby Cheat Sheet (with odds)
Image:
Description:
The field thunders past the grandstand for the first time during the 2013 Kentucky Derby. (All photos by Eclipse Sportswire unless otherwise noted)
Only 20 horses can make the starting gate on the first Saturday in May to compete in “greatest two minutes in sports,” whittled down from a foal crop of more than 23,000. Here the America's Best Racing Brand Ambassadors give you a quick rundown or “cheat sheet” of the 21 Derby entrants to help you decide who to root for.
This list is organized in post-position order with morning-line odds in parentheses. Without further ado, here are your current Kentucky Derby entrants:
1. Vicar's in Trouble (20-1)
Jockey: Rosie NapravnikTrainer: Michael J. MakerOwner: Kenneth & Sarah RamseyCareer Record: 5 Starts- 3 Firsts-0 Seconds-2 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $788,900Earnings Per Start: $157,780Pedigree: Into Mischief - Vibrant by VicarColor: Dark Bay or BrownRunning Style: Pacesetter/StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Vicar’s in Trouble won the $1-million, Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and the $200,000, Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds. He is attempting to become the first horse bred in Louisiana to win the Kentucky Derby, and he is one of two 2014 Derby horses for his owners, Ken and Sarah Ramsey.
2. Harry's Holiday (50-1)
(Photo by John C. Engelhardt for Pat Lang Photography)
Jockey: Corey Lanerie Trainer: Michael J. MakerOwner: Skychai Racing, Sand Dollar Stables, Raymond, T. and Wagner, J.Career Record: 8 Starts-3 Firsts-2 Seconds-1 ThirdCareer Earnings: $186,882Earnings per Start: $23,360Pedigree: Harlan's Holiday - Daisy Mason by OrientateColor: BayRunning Style: Stalker Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Harry’s Holiday lost the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park by a mere nose to We Miss Artie. He has won three races in his career, which began with a victory in his career debut at Churchill Downs last September.
3. Uncle Sigh (30-1)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.Trainer: Gary ContessaOwner: Wounded Warrior Stables and Robertson, Anthony C.Career Record: 5 Starts-1 Win-3 Seconds-0 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $231,000Earnings Per Start: $46,200 Pedigree: Indian Charlie - Cradlesong by Pine BluffColor: BayRunning Style: StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Uncle Sigh is named for Uncle Si Robertson from A&E’s hit reality TV show "Duck Dynasty". Wounded Warrior Stable pledged to donate 10-percent of his earnings to various charities supporting injured veterans.
4. Danza (8-1)
Jockey: Joe BravoTrainer: Todd PletcherOwner: Eclipse Thoroughbred PartnersCareer Record: 4 Starts-2 Wins-0 Seconds-2 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $666,428Earnings Per Start: $166,607 Pedigree: Street Boss - Champagne Royale by French DeputyColor: ChestnutRunning Style: StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Danza won the $1-million, Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park at odds of 41-to-1. He was named after the "Who's the Boss" actor Tony Danza in a naming contest.
5. California Chrome (5-2)
Jockey: Victor EspinozaTrainer: Art ShermanOwner: Steven Coburn and Perry MartinCareer Record: 10 Starts-6 Firsts-1 Second-0 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $1,134,850Earnings Per Start: $113,485Pedigree: Lucky Pulpit - Love the Chase, by Not For LoveColor: ChestnutRunning Style: Pacesetter/StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: California Chrome rides a 4-race, all-stakes win streak that includes the $1-million, Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby and $300,000, Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes, both at Santa Anita Park. California Chrome, or CC for short, was bred in California. Only three “Cal-breds” have won the Kentucky Derby and none since Decidedly in 1962.
6. Samraat (15-1)
Jockey: Jose OrtizTrainer: Rick VioletteOwner: My Meadowview FarmCareer Record: 6 Starts-5 Firsts-1 Second-0 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $773,200Earning Per Start: $128,867Pedigree: Noble Causeway - Little Indian Girl by Indian CharlieColor: Dark Bay or BrownRunning Style: StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Samraat won his first five career races, including Kentucky Derby prep races the Withers and Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York. Samraat is an Ancient Indian word which translates into “Emperor.”
7. We Miss Artie (50-1)
Jockey: Javier CastellanoTrainer: Todd PletcherOwner: Kenneth & Sarah RamseyCareer Record: 8 Starts-3 Wins-2 Seconds-0 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $609,000Earnings Per Start: $76,125 Pedigree: Artie Schiller - Athena's Gift by Fusaichi PegasusColor: Dark bay or brownRunning Style: CloserNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: We Miss Artie won the Spiral Stakes in a three-way photo finish. He finished seventh (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile) and eighth (Fountain of Youth Stakes) in his only two dirt tries. The colt will attempt to join Northern Dancer (1964) and Mine That Bird (2009) as winners of the Kentucky Derby that were born “north of the border” in Canada.
8. General a Rod (15-1)
Jockey: Joel RosarioTrainer: Michael J. MakerOwner: Skychai Racing LLC and Starlight RacingCareer Record: 5 Starts-2 Firsts-2 Seconds-1 ThirdCareer Earnings: $283,200Earning Per Start: $56,440Pedigree: Roman Ruler - Dynamite Eyes by DynaformerColor: Dark Bay or BrownRunning Style: Pacesetter/StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: General a Rod won the Gulfstream Park Derby, finished a close second in the Fountain of Youth (to Wildcat Red) and ran third in Florida Derby. General a Rod’s namesake is his former owner, Armando Rodriguez. Skychai Racing and Starlight Racing partnered to buy General a Rod from Rodriguez just days before the Derby. Jockey Joel Rosario won the Kentucky Derby last year aboard Orb.
9. Vinceremos (30-1)
Jockey: Joe Rocco, Jr.Trainer: Todd PletcherOwner: Winstar Farm & Twin Creeks Racing StablesCareer Record: 5 Starts-2 Firsts-2 Seconds-0 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $225,266Earnings Per Start: $45,053Pedigree: Pioneerof the Nile - Kettle’s Sister, by More Than Ready Color: Dark Bay or BrownRunning Style: StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Vinceremos won the Sam F. Davis Stakes and finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby. He is named after a therapeutic horse riding clinic in Loxahatchee, Fla.
10. Wildcat Red (15-1)
Jockey: Luis SaezTrainer: Jose GaroffaloOwner: Honors Stable CorporationCareer Record: 7 starts-4 wins-3 seconds-0 thirdsCareer Earnings: $690,850Earnings Per Start: $96,693 Pedigree: D'wildcat - Racene by Miner's MarkColor: BayRunning Style: PacesetterNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Wildcat Red has never finished worse than second in his career. In his three defeats, he’s been disqualified from first, beaten by a head, and beaten by a neck. In other words, he’s been very close to having a perfect 7-for-7 career record. Wildcat Red’s owners reside in Venezuela and they routinely fly to Miami, where they also keep a residence, to see Wildcat Red run his races. Trainer Jose Garoffalo also is a native of Venezuela.
11. Hoppertunity (SCRATCH)
Jockey: Mike Smith Trainer: Bob BaffertOwner: Paul Weitman, Michael Pegram, Karl WatsonCareer Record: 5 Starts-2 Wins-1 Second-0 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $610,720Earnings Per Start: $122,144 Pedigree: Any Given Saturday - Refugee by Unaccounted ForColor: BayRunning Style: StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Hoppertunity secured himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby by winning Oaklawn Park’s Rebel Stakes. He then finished second to California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby. Hoppertunity is owned in part by Mike Pegram, who owned Real Quiet, winner of the 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness who came up a nose short of Triple Crown glory in the Belmont Stakes.
12. Dance With Fate (20-1)
Jockey: Corey NakataniTrainer: Peter EurtonOwner: Alesia, Sharon, Bran Jam Stable & Ciaglia Racing LLCCareer Record: 8 Starts-3 Firsts-3 Seconds-0 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $680,050Earnings Per Start: $85,006Pedigree: Two Step Salsa - Flirting With Fate by Saint BalladoColor: Dark Bay or BrownRunning Style: CloserNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Dance With Fate won the $750,000, Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. He has developed a reputation as a synthetic course specialist but the colt has finished worse than second only once in his last seven starts, on turf, dirt and synthetic surfaces. Jockey Corey Nakatani will be riding in his 17th Kentucky Derby, but is still searching for his first win in the race.
13. Chitu (20-1)
Jockey: Martin GarciaTrainer: Bob BaffertOwner: Tanma CorporationCareer Record: 4 Starts- 3 Wins-1 Second-0 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $501,800Earnings Per Start: $ 125,450 Pedigree: Henny Hughes - Sea Gift by A.P. IndyColor: ChestnutRunning Style: StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Chitu would have a perfect record if it wasn’t for running second behind Candy Boy in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. He is attempting to win the Kentucky Derby after running in New Mexico’s Sunland Derby, just like Mine That Bird did in 2009. If he runs in the Kentucky Derby it could be off only a week’s rest, as he is entered to run in the Derby Trial Stakes on April 26 at Churchill Downs. Chitu's status for the Derby Trial remains up in the air.
14. Medal Count (20-1)
Jockey: Robby AlbaradoTrainer: Dale RomansOwner: Spendthrift FarmCareer Record: 7 Starts-3 Wins-1 Second-0 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $261,600Earnings Per Start: $33,371 Pedigree: Dynaformer - Brisquette by Unbridled's SongColor: BayRunning Style: CloserNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Medal Count finished second in the Grade 1, $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland just eight days after winning the Transylvania Stakes. “I think this is a throwback horse,” trainer Dale Romans said of the short rest that is very unusual for today’s equine athletes. Medal Count will not celebrate his third birthday until two days before the Kentucky Derby, making him a youngin’ in the race. This is Spendthrift Farm’s fifth Derby starter and its first since 2005.
15. Tapiture (12-1)
Jockey: Ricardo SantanaTrainer: Steve AsmussenOwner: Ron WinchellCareer Record: 7 Starts-2 Wins-2 Seconds-2 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $490,838Earnings Per Start: $70,120 Pedigree: Tapit - Free Spin by OlympioColor: ChestnutRunning Style: StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Tapiture shares the same sire as Tampa Bay Derby winner Ring Weekend. They are both by Tapit. The colt already has one win on the Churchill surface - the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in November. He followed that victory with a win over a deep field in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Trainer Steve Asmussen has won two editions of the Preakness and one Kentucky Oaks but is still in search of an elusive Kentucky Derby victory.
16. Intense Holiday (8-1)
Jockey: John VelazquezTrainer: Todd PletcherOwner: Starlight RacingCareer Record: 8 Starts-2 Firsts-1 Second-1 ThirdCareer Earnings: $551,900Earnings Per Start: $68,988Pedigree: Harlan's Holiday - Intensify by Unbridled's SongColor: Dark Bay or BrownRunning Style: CloserNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Intense Holiday won the Risen Star Stakes, a Kentucky Derby prep race in Louisiana. His sire (father), Harlan’s Holiday, was a multiple graded stakes winner but his dam (mother), Intensify, never won a race in five career races. Harlan’s Holiday also sired 2014 Derby contender Harry’s Holiday. Intense Holiday’s owner, Starlight Racing, also owned Harlan’s Holiday. Jockey John Velazquez won the Kentucky Derby in 2011 aboard Animal Kingdom.
17. Commanding Curve (50-1)
Jockey: Shaun BridgmohanTrainer: Dallas StewartOwner: West Point ThoroughbredsCareer Record: 6 Starts-1 Win-1 Second-2 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $142,434Earnings Per Start: $23,739 Pedigree: Master Command - Mother by Lion HeartedColor: BayRunning Style: CloserNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Commanding Curve has a win, one second, and one third in three starts at Churchill Downs. His trainer, Dallas Stewart, saddled 2013 Kentucky Derby runner-up Golden Soul.
18. Candy Boy (15-1)
Jockey: Gary StevensTrainer: John SadlerOwner: C R K Stable LLC (Lee and Susan Searing)Career Record: 7 Starts-2 Wins-2 Seconds-1 ThirdCareer Earnings: $425,600Earnings Per Start: $60,800 Pedigree: Candy Ride - She's An Eleven by In Excess (IRE)Color: BayRunning Style: Stalker/CloserNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Candy Boy descends from the same family as 1948 Triple Crown legend Citation. His win in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes began his Kentucky Derby dreams. He would later finish third behind California Chrome and Hoppertunity in the Santa Anita Derby.
19. Ride On Curlin (15-1)
Jockey: Calvin BorelTrainer: William GowanOwner: Daniel DoughertyCareer Record: 9 Starts-2 Firsts-2 Seconds-4 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $414,687Earning Per Start: $46,076Pedigree: Curlin - Magical Ride by Storm CatColor: BayRunning Style: Pacesetter/StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Ride On Curlin has not won a Kentucky Derby prep race or any stakes races but has finished no worse than third in eight of his nine career starts. Jockey Calvin Borel has won the Kentucky Derby three times, most recently on Super Saver in 2010. Ride On Curlin’s sire (father),Curlin, finished third in the Kentucky Derby in 2007 (a race won by Borel aboard Street Sense) and then came back to win the Preakness Stakes and finish second in the Belmont Stakes. Ride On Curlin’s morning exercise rider, Bryan Beccia, also was an exercise rider for 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos.
20. Wicked Strong (6-1)
Jockey: Rajiv MaraghTrainer: James A. JerkensOwner: Centennial FarmsCareer Record: 6 Starts-2 Firsts-1 Second-1 ThirdCareer Earnings: $704,610Earnings Per Start: $117,435 Pedigree: Hard Spun - Moyne Abbey by CharismaticColor: BayRunning Style: CloserNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Wicked Strong won the $1-million Grade 1 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct. He was named to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, and his owner, Centennial Farms, will donate 5% of the Triple Crown winnings for Wicked Strong to One Fund Boston.
21. Pablo Del Monte (SCRATCHED)
Jockey: Victor EspinozaTrainer: Wesley WardOwner: Wesley Ward, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs John MagnierCareer Record: 6 Starts-2 Wins-0 Seconds-2 ThirdsCareer Earnings: $158,700Earnings Per Start: $26,450 Pedigree: Giant's Causeway - One Hot Wish by Bring the HeatColor: ChestnutRunning Style: Pacesetter/StalkerNotable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Pablo Del Monte began his career 2-for-2 and hasn’t finished worse than fifth in six starts. After those first two impressive wins at Keeneland, Irish Thoroughbred owners Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier purchased an interest in the horse. Trainer Wesley Ward retained a share in Pablo Del Monte.