The projected field for the 144th Kentucky Derby (G1) is now set, barring defections between now and Derby Day, May 5.
Here’s your quick guide to the expected cast of 20, arranged in order of their point totals amassed through the scoring races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. If horses have the same number of points, the tiebreak is non-restricted stakes earnings.
In addition to connections and basic pedigree, note the link to news on each contender. You can also click here to find all the Kentucky Derby-related news and features.
For more details, including Brisnet Speed figures and stats, check out the free Kentucky Derby past performances. If you would like to learn more about the kinds of information contained in the past performances, we have an in-depth explanation.
This page will be updated as developments warrant, such as changes in the composition of the field or jockey updates. After the post position draw on Tuesday, May 1, each horse’s post position and morning line odds will be included.
Now, on to the contenders for Derby 144: Magnum Moon topped the leaderboard by winning the Arkansas Derby (c) Coady Photography MAGNUM MOON (150 points)
Undefeated winner of the Arkansas Derby (G1) and Rebel (G2) must overcome the stat that no unraced juvenile has gone on to win the Kentucky Derby since Apollo (1882).
Owner: Robert & Lawana Low; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Luis Saez
Pedigree: by Malibu Moon–Dazzling Song, by Unbridled’s Song Magnum Moon news Champion Good Magic is one of three sons of Curlin in the Derby field (c) Coady Photography GOOD MAGIC (134 points)
Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)-winning champion regained the winning attitude in the Blue Grass (G2).
Owner: e Five Racing Thoroughbreds & Stonestreet Stables; Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Pedigree: by Curlin–Glinda the Good, by Hard Spun Good Magic news AUDIBLE (110 points) Audible burst onto the scene at Gulfstream Park (c) Coglianese Photography Florida Derby (G1) and Holy Bull (G2) victor aims to become only the second New York-bred Kentucky Derby winner after Funny Cide (2003).
Owner: China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing & WinStar Farm; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Javier Castellano
Pedigree: by Into Mischief–Blue Devil Bel, by Gilded Time Audible news
Noble Indy re-rallied to win the Louisiana Derby (c) Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir NOBLE INDY (110 points)
Louisiana Derby (G2) winner came again gamely after being headed to prevail in first-time blinkers.
Owner: WinStar Farm & Repole Stable; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: TBD
Pedigree: by Take Charge Indy–Noble Maz, by Storm Boot Noble Indy news
Vino Rosso jumped up in the Wood to give trainer Todd Pletcher four in the Derby (c) Coglianese Photography VINO ROSSO (107 points)
Wood Memorial (G2) hero finally put it all together but had to survive an inquiry and objection to keep his victory.
Owner: Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: John Velazquez
Pedigree: by Curlin–Mythical Bride, by Street Cry Vino Rosso news
Quip is one of four contenders for WinStar Farm in various partnerships QUIP (90 points)
Tampa Bay Derby (G2) upsetter proved that was no fluke by coming back to finish second in the Arkansas Derby.
Owner: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club & SF Racing; Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset; Jockey: Florent Geroux
Pedigree: by Distorted Humor–Princess Ash, by Indian Charlie Quip news
Flameaway is the third Scat Daddy colt after Justify and Mendelssohn (c) SV Photography FLAMEAWAY (70 points)
Sam F. Davis (G3) winner has subsequently taken the runner-up spot in both the Tampa Bay Derby and Blue Grass.
Owner: John C. Oxley; Trainer: Mark Casse; Jockey: Jose Lezcano
Pedigree: by Scat Daddy–Vulcan Rose, by Fusaichi Pegasus Flameaway news
MY BOY JACK (52 points) My Boy Jack (outside) earned his ticket in the penultimate scoring race (c) Wendy Wooley/EquiSport Photos Southwest (G3) romper just clinched his spot with a score in the Lexington S. (G3).
Owner: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables & Monomoy Stables; Trainer: Keith Desormeaux: Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Pedigree: by Creative Cause–Gold N Shaft, by Mineshaft My Boy Jack news
PROMISES FULFILLED (52 points) Promises Fulfilled is trained by Dale Romans like sire Shackleford (c) Coglianese Photography Fountain of Youth (G2) upsetter got torched in a speed duel last time in the Florida Derby and wound up last.
Owner: Robert Baron; Trainer: Dale Romans; Jockey: TBD
Pedigree: by Shackleford–Marquee Delivery, by Marquetry Promises Fulfilled news
FREE DROP BILLY (44 points) Free Drop Billy is another Dale Romans runner (c) Coady Photography Breeders’ Futurity (G1) hero has placed in his last three preps after being elevated to third (via disqualification of a rival) in the Blue Grass.
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables; Trainer: Dale Romans; Jockey: TBD
Pedigree: by Union Rags–Trensa, by Giant’s Causeway Free Drop Billy news
LONE SAILOR (42 points) Lone Sailor (no. 8) almost snared the prize for hometown connections (c) Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr. Louisiana Derby runner-up appeared to have victory in his grasp before just getting outdueled late.
Owner: G M B Racing; Trainer: Tom Amoss; Jockey: James Graham
Pedigree: by Majestic Warrior–Ambitious, by Mr. Greeley Lone Sailor news HOFBURG (40 points) Hofburg (left) is a fast learner for usually conservative connections (c) Coglianese Photography/ Andie Biancone
Late developer punched his Derby ticket with an outstanding second in his Florida Derby stakes debut.
Owner: Juddmonte Farms; Trainer: Bill Mott; Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Pedigree: by Tapit–Soothing Touch, by Touch Gold Hofburg news
FIRENZE FIRE (39 points) Firenze Fire’s 39-point total sufficed to make the Derby field (c) NYRA/Coglianese/Durand Hero of the Champagne (G1) and Jerome faces a big distance question after checking in a distant fourth in the Wood Memorial.
Owner: Mr Amore Stable; Trainer: Jason Servis; Jockey: Paco Lopez
Pedigree: by Poseidon’s Warrior–My Every Wish, by Langfuhr Firenze Fire news
GRONKOWSKI (invited as winner of the European Road to the Kentucky Derby) Gronkowski figures to get bet by Patriots fans (c) John Hoy Synthetic surface aficionado made it four straight in the Burradon S. at Newcastle in England, clinching his spot in the Derby starting gate.
Owner: Phoenix Thoroughbred III; Trainer: Jeremy Noseda; Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Pedigree: by Lonhro–Four Sugars, by Lookin at Lucky Gronkowski news On the bubble
Currently just outside the main body of the field, the “bubble horses” are playing the waiting game to see if a spot opens up.
These are the next six on the list, again in points order (with the non-restricted stakes earnings as the tiebreak): COMBATANT (32 points)
Frequent stakes-placer just missed the cut when fourth in a blanket finish for the minor awards in the Arkansas Derby.
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds & Willis Horton Racing; Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Pedigree: by Scat Daddy–Border Dispute, by Boundary Combatant news SNAPPER SINCLAIR (22 points)
Risen Star near-misser regressed with a fifth in the Louisiana Derby.
Owner: Bloom Racing Stable; Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Pedigree: by City Zip–True Addiction, by Yes It’s True Snapper Sinclair news BLENDED CITIZEN (22 points)
Jeff Ruby Steaks (sic) (G3) winner, originally removed from consideration after a fifth in the Blue Grass, is now back in the picture.
Owner: Greg Hall & SAYJAY Racing; Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Pedigree: by Proud Citizen–Langara Lass, by Langfuhr Blended Citizen news RERIDE (20 points)
Remote third in UAE Derby would have more than 18 lengths to make up on Mendelssohn.
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds; Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Pedigree: Candy Ride–Remit, by Tapit Reride news DREAM BABY DREAM (20 points)
Sunland Derby runner-up could do no better than seventh in the Arkansas Derby.
Owner: Dream Baby Dream Racing Stable; Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Pedigree: Into Mischief–Galetoire, by Songandaprayer Dream Baby Dream news RESTORING HOPE (20 points)
Recent maiden winner ran a fairly even third in his stakes debut in the Wood Memorial.
Owner: Gary & Mary West; Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pedigree: Giant’s Causeway–Symbol of Freedom, by Tapit Restoring Hope news
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When entries are taken for the Kentucky Derby, a maximum of four can enter as “also-eligibles” on stand-by for potential scratches.
SBR Top-Rated Sportsbooks
Kentucky Derby Projected Field
Magnum Moon topped the leaderboard by winning the Arkansas Derby (c) Coady Photography MAGNUM MOON (150 points)
Champion Good Magic is one of three sons of Curlin in the Derby field (c) Coady Photography GOOD MAGIC (134 points)
Audible burst onto the scene at Gulfstream Park (c) Coglianese Photography Florida Derby (G1) and Holy Bull (G2) victor aims to become only the second New York-bred Kentucky Derby winner after Funny Cide (2003).
Noble Indy re-rallied to win the Louisiana Derby (c) Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir NOBLE INDY (110 points)
Vino Rosso jumped up in the Wood to give trainer Todd Pletcher four in the Derby (c) Coglianese Photography VINO ROSSO (107 points)
Bolt d’Oro has been among the division’s best at both two and three © Benoit Photo BOLT D’ORO (104 points)
Enticed is by the same sire as Bolt d’Oro (c) NYRA/ Coglianese Photography Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and Gotham (G3) victor was bumped by Vino Rosso when runner-up in the Wood Memorial.
Mendelssohn bids to make history for Aidan O’Brien (c) Dubai Racing Club/Neville Hopwood Beholder’s half-brother and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) hero made a jaw-dropping dirt debut in a track-record UAE Derby (G2), threatening to become the first European shipper to wear the roses.
Justify became the Kentucky Derby favorite at Santa Anita ©Benoit Photo Unbeaten Santa Anita Derby winner rocketed to early Kentucky Derby favoritism, but like Magnum Moon, has to stare down the “Apollo curse.”
Quip is one of four contenders for WinStar Farm in various partnerships QUIP (90 points)
Flameaway is the third Scat Daddy colt after Justify and Mendelssohn (c) SV Photography FLAMEAWAY (70 points)
Solomini (outside) is Bob Baffert’s secondary hope after Justify ©Benoit Photo SOLOMINI (54 points)
Bravazo (left) races for historic Calumet Farm (c) Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir Risen Star (G2) victor comes off a strange-trip eighth in the Louisiana Derby where he lugged out and was virtually wrapped up on by the rider.
My Boy Jack (outside) earned his ticket in the penultimate scoring race (c) Wendy Wooley/EquiSport Photos Southwest (G3) romper just clinched his spot with a score in the Lexington S. (G3).
Promises Fulfilled is trained by Dale Romans like sire Shackleford (c) Coglianese Photography Fountain of Youth (G2) upsetter got torched in a speed duel last time in the Florida Derby and wound up last.
Free Drop Billy is another Dale Romans runner (c) Coady Photography Breeders’ Futurity (G1) hero has placed in his last three preps after being elevated to third (via disqualification of a rival) in the Blue Grass.
Lone Sailor (no. 8) almost snared the prize for hometown connections (c) Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr. Louisiana Derby runner-up appeared to have victory in his grasp before just getting outdueled late.
Hofburg (left) is a fast learner for usually conservative connections (c) Coglianese Photography/ Andie Biancone
Firenze Fire’s 39-point total sufficed to make the Derby field (c) NYRA/Coglianese/Durand Hero of the Champagne (G1) and Jerome faces a big distance question after checking in a distant fourth in the Wood Memorial.
Gronkowski figures to get bet by Patriots fans (c) John Hoy Synthetic surface aficionado made it four straight in the Burradon S. at Newcastle in England, clinching his spot in the Derby starting gate.
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