A field of 20 will break from the gate in Saturday’s $2 million Kentucky Derby (G1) with the undefeated Nyquist the betting favorite at Bovada at odds of 11-4.
While the colt is undefeated in seven career starts there are plenty of contenders in this year’s race that are capable of winning the first jewel of the Triple Crown.
Here is a look at the lineup for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby (odds via Bovada).
1 Trojan Nation (40-1): A maiden has not won the Run for the Roses since 1933, and that likely will not change this year. The colt did run a game second in the Wood Memorial in his last start.
2 Sudenbreakingnews (22-1): A fast closing second in the Arkansas Derby last time out, he is one of a handful of contenders here that will be flying late.
3 Creator (14-1): A third in the Rebel was followed by a late charge to win the Arkansas Derby. The colt needs some pace up front for his late kick, and he looks capable of handling the extra ground.
4 Mo Tom (22-1): The Tom Amoss trainee had really tough trips in the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby, getting stopped in the stretch in each outing. A clean trip might be enough to get him into the mix at a decent price.
5 Gun Runner (10-1): The Louisiana Derby winner, he has won four of his five career starts, but comes into the race off a 42-day break, a tough task.
6 My Man Sam (20-1): This colt came with a wide rally to finish second in the Blue Grass at Keeneland in his stakes debut. With just four starts under his belt he may have as much upside as any in the field.
7 Oscar Nominated (50-1): He won the Spiral at Turfway Park over a synthetic surface last out in very slow time. A complete outside who will be a huge price.
8 Lani (20-1): The UAE Derby comes to the U.S. to try and win the roses, but Euro shippers have not fared well in this race.
9 Destin (14-1): Coming back off an unheard of 56-day break for trainer Todd Pletcher who has a record of 1 for 43 in the Derby. He has run as fast as any in here.
10 Whitmore (25-1): He made a mild late run to finish third in the Arkansas Derby, coming up short in all three Derby preps at Oaklawn Park. He does get Victor Espinoza who has won the last two runnings of this race.
11 Exaggerator (7-1): He loved the slop in the Santa Anita Derby, a race California Chrome and I’ll have Another prepped in. A major player for the Desormeaux brothers.
12 Tom’s Ready (33-1): Second in the Louisiana Derby, he looks a cut below and does not look ready to win this race.
13 Nyquist (11-4): Undefeated in seven career starts and the likely favorite, he should get a great tracking trip but he is not that much faster than his rivals and will be a shorter price.
14 Mohaymen (10-1): The Derby favorite before his dud in Florida. Horses that finish fourth or worse in their final prep rarely wear roses.
15 Outwork (14-1): The Wood Memorial winner will be saddled by Pletcher and has just four career starts under his belt. Lightly raced with upside, he has not run a bad one yet.
16 Shagaf (33-1): The Gotham winner did not fire his best in the Wood which was contested in the mud. The well-bred colt could bounce back at a price and is in good hands with trainer Chad Brown.
17 Mor Spirit (12-1): He is trained by Bob Baffert who has won the Derby four times including last year. He was competitive on the west coast in runner-up finishes to Exaggerator and Danzing Candy and looks capable of turning the tables.
18 Majesto (33-1): Was second to Nyquist in the Florida Derby but has not really run fast enough to win this race. He will be a huge price.
19 Brody’s Cause (14-1): He bounced back from a poor showing in the Tampa Bay Derby by winning the Blue Grass at Keeneland. He showed talent as a juvenile.
20 Danzing Candy (20-1): This colt will be part of the pace despite the outside draw and showed in his San Felipe win he fits here with his best.
Handicapper Michael Dempsey provides his full card analysis for Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Day at turfnsport.com. USRacebook readers can use the coupon code “sport” for 20% off reports.