Nineteen horses are set to compete in the 151st Kentucky Derby this Saturday in Lexington, Kentucky. This iconic race has a mix of favorites and underdogs, making it an exciting event for horse racing fans. Legendary trainer Bob Baffert is back, aiming for his seventh Derby win after a three-year suspension. He will be racing his horse, Citizen Bull, from gate 1, hoping to use speed to secure an early lead. However, no horse has won from this gate since Ferdinand in 1986.
Baffert’s other horse, Rodriguez, was scratched from the race due to a foot bruise, along with another contender, Grande, who also faced health issues. This opens the door for Baeza, trained by John A. Shirreffs, who will start from the far outside gate. Baeza is expected to be a strong competitor, especially after a solid performance in the Santa Anita Derby.
One of the top horses to watch is Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy. This colt has shown impressive closing speed and won the Santa Anita Derby in April. With a good starting position in gate 7, he is a favorite to win. Another strong contender is American Promise, trained by D. Wayne Lukas. This chestnut colt, the largest in the field, set a track record in the Virginia Derby and will start from gate 4.
Two Japanese horses, Luxor Cafe and Admire Daytona, are also competing, aiming to make history as the first Japanese winner of the Derby. Luxor Cafe has shown promise with a strong win in the Fukuryo Stakes, while Admire Daytona recently won the UAE Derby.
Publisher, a horse that has never won a race, will try to make history as well. His impressive second-place finish in the Arkansas Derby gives him a chance in this wide-open field. Other favorites include Sandman, known for his closing speed, and Sovereignty, who won the Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Longshot Render Judgement, owned by the late Toby Keith, will also race despite some concerns about a hoof injury. Coal Battle, trained by 72-year-old Lonnie Briley, is another underdog to keep an eye on after a series of victories leading up to the Derby.
As the excitement builds for the Kentucky Derby, fans can expect a thrilling race filled with surprises and memorable moments. With the horses ready and the crowd eager, Saturday promises to be a fantastic day in horse racing.