Can Bodexpress Win His First Career Race in Derby?

Although Bodexpress is winless in five starts, the connections of the 3-year-old Bodemeister  colt are confident he will soon graduate.

And what better time than in the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1)?

Bodexpress, coming into Saturday's classic off three seconds and a third in his last four efforts, was on the outside looking in as the 21st entrant in the race limited to 20 starters until Derby favorite Omaha Beach was scratched Wednesday after he was detected to have an entrapped epiglottis, which affects the horse's ability to breathe.

Trained by Gustavo Delgado, Bodexpress races for Top Racing, Global Thoroughbreds, and GDS Racing Stable. Bred in Kentucky by Martha Jane Mulholland, the colt went through the sale ring twice, being bought back both times on final bids of $37,000 and $45,000.

Gustavo Delgado Jr. said that the Bodexpress team was buoyed by the colt's second-place finish to Derby contender Maximum Security in the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) at 71-1 odds and continued to train and work the colt as if he was going to be in the Derby, even before Wednesday's development.

"We gave the horse every opportunity to get in the race, especially after he ran second in the Florida Derby even though he was still a maiden," Delgado said. "When we were out (of the Derby field, based on points), we took a shot and shipped the horse here. Thank god, we're in the race."

Delgado said Bodexpress continues to improve, and some day...

"He is a talented horse and he keeps improving race after race. We like what we see. Sooner or later he will break his maiden, hopefully its'...," Delgado said before getting to the words Saturday or Derby.

As the last horse in, Bodexpress will break from the outside 20 post.

"We know the odds are against us, but we're enjoying every moment being here in Kentucky," Delgado said.