And we’re off on the highway to the 152nd Kentucky Derby.
Sure, greater than a dozen Derby level qualifiers are within the books, with greater than a dozen to go earlier than transferring on to the primary Saturday in Could at Churchill Downs.
The outcomes of the early prep races have given bettors and informal racing followers a little bit of a Derby really feel for his or her favourite 3-year-old — or two, three or extra should you’ll be betting exotics.
Following Derby prep races over the weekend in Arkansas, New York, Florida, and California, US Racing presents its first installment of Kentucky Derby Prime 10 contenders.
(Jockey modifications will probably be famous as they happen within the weeks earlier than the Derby. The Prime 10 will probably be up to date every week via the Derby prep season)
Practically opens because the No. 1 Derby contender
The highest spot goes to Practically, spectacular winner of the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 31 for Corridor of Fame coach Todd Pletcher. The win by the Not This Time colt got here days after Pletcher’s Ted Noffey – the undefeated 2-year-old champion and early Derby favourite – was sidelined for the Triple Crown season with an harm.
Practically is the slight alternative over Additional Ado, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29 for coach Brad Cox.
Silent Tactic, Plutarch are Prime 10 contenders
The previous weekend’s outcomes produced a number of Derby prospects in No. 8 Plutarch, who gained the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita for six-time Derby winner Bob Baffert, Lewis runner-up Intrepido (No. 10) for coach Jeff Mullins, Sam F. Davis (G3) winner Renegade (No. 9) for Pletcher, and Southwest Stakes (G3) winner Silent Tactic (No. 5) for coach Mark Casse.
Baffert was most impressed with Plutarch: “This horse jogs my memory of Genuine. He retains getting higher each week. I don’t suppose distance will probably be an issue with him. That is very thrilling. He’s legit (Baffert-trained Genuine gained the 2020 Derby and Breeders’ Cup Basic and was voted Horse of the 12 months).
Florent Geroux was aboard Plutarch.
“Once I got here right here, that was what I used to be anticipating, to be sincere, to discover a Derby horse,’’ mentioned Geroux, who not too long ago moved his tack to California. “Bob is a tremendous coach, and he has gained the Derby six occasions, so the file e book speaks for itself. To have the chance to journey for him is only a large honor.”
Kentucky Derby Prime 10
1 Practically (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez)
Checked a number of containers with Holy Bull win Jan. 31 — gained at two turns and in stakes debut by 5 ¾ lengths … Winner of three in a row since working fifth in profession debut Oct. 26 … Provides Pletcher prime Derby contender after his early favourite Ted Noffey was sidelined with harm … Proprietor: Donald Little’s Centennial Farm … Bought for $350,000 at 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale … Subsequent begin: Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, March 28 … No. 5 on Derby factors leaderboard (20). Derby future wager odds (pool 3): 20-1.
2 Additional Ado (Brad Cox, Irad Ortiz, Jr.)
Adopted wonderful 20-length maiden win third outing with 1 ¾-length victory in 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Membership at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28 … Labored 4 furlongs in 49.00 at Payson Park on Feb. 7 (quickest of 56 on the distance) … Has gained 2-of-4 with two preps nonetheless attainable … Proprietor: Spendthrift Farm … Pedigree: Gun Runner-Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa … Bought for $510,000 at Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-12 months-Olds in Coaching … Subsequent begin: Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland, April 4 … No. 14 on Derby factors leaderboard (10). Derby future wagers odds: 26-1.
3 Paladin (Chad Brown, Tyler Gaffalione)
Received 1 1/8-mile Remsen by two lengths at Aqueduct on Dec. 6 over a number of different Derby contenders … Set for 3-year-old debut in Risen Star on the Honest Grounds … Homeowners: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith, Summer time Wind Equine … Pedigree: Gun Runner-Secret Sigh, by Tapit … Bought for $1.9 million at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Choose Yearling Sale 2024 .. Subsequent begin: Risen Star, Honest Grounds, Feb. 14 … No. 18 on Derby factors leaderboard (10). Derby future wager odds: 14-1.
4 Golden Tempo (Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz)
Like to see coach saddle her first Derby starter with this unbeaten (2-0) colt … Received Lecomte on the Honest Grounds in 3-year-old debut with an exciting closing run … Homeowners: Phipps Secure, St. Elias Secure … Pedigree: Curlin-Carrumba, by Bernadini … Bred by house owners so no public buy worth/public sale worth … Subsequent begin: Risen Star, Honest Grounds, Feb. 14 … No. 6 on Derby factors leaderboard (20). Derby future wager odds: 7-2, all different 3-year-olds.
5 Silent Tactic (Mark Casse, Cristian Torres)
Thrilling closing run to win Southwest by 3 ¼ lengths and soar into Derby rivalry … Began out on turf, ran second in Smarty Jones to stablemate Strategic Danger earlier than big win at Oaklawn … Proprietor: John Oxley … Pedigree: Tacitus-Magical Signal, by Gun Runner … Bought for $500,000 at Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-12 months-Olds in Coaching 2025 … Subsequent begin: Insurgent Stales, Oaklawn Park, March 1 … No. 1 on Derby factors leaderboard (25). Derby future wager odds: 7-2, all different 3-year-olds.
6 Litmus Take a look at (Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez)
Scratched out of Southwest however labored 4 furlongs in 48.40 at Santa Anita on Feb. 7. Los Alamitos Futurity winner with two wins in 5 begins … Properly-seasoned in Grade 1 occasions, together with fourth within the BC Juvenile … Homeowners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Decided Stables, Golconda Secure, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan … Pedigree: Nyquist-Examine Exhausting, by Malibu Moon … Bought for $875,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Choose Yearling Sale 2024 … Subsequent race: San Felipe, Santa Anita, March 7 … No. 8 on Derby factors leaderboard (19). Derby future wager odds: 35-1.
7 Napoleon Solo (Chad Summers, Joel Rosario)
Uneaten and Champagne winner on Oct. 4 making ready for 3-year-old debut after working 4 furlongs in 48.00 at Palm Meadows on Feb. 5, the quickest of 19 on the distance … Proprietor: Gold Sq. (Al Gold) … Pedigree: Liam’s Map-Atomic Blonde, by Scat Daddy … Bought for $40,000 at Keeneland September Yearling Sale 2024 … Subsequent race: Fountain of Youth, Gulfstream Park, Feb. 28 … No. 10 on Derby factors leaderboard (10). Derby future wager odds: 30-1.
8 Plutarch (Bob Baffert, Florent Geroux)
Provides Baffert one other “legit’’ Derby contender after spectacular win in Robert B. Lewis on Feb. 7 … Wanted 5 races for first profession win, however beforehand ran second in Del Mar Juvenile Turf and third within the within the American Pharoah … Homeowners: Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor … Pedigree: Into Mischief-Stellar Wind, by Curlin … Buy worth unavailable … Subsequent race: TBD … No. 4 on Derby factors leaderboard (23). Derby future wager odds: 7-2, all different 3-year-olds).
9. Renegade (Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz, Jr.)
Sam F. Davis winner, edging a 48-1 longshot by three-quarters of a size at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7 … First win, however was DQ’d after ending first in a maiden race (Paladin was declared the winner) at Aqueduct on Oct. 17, then ran second within the Remsen … Homeowners: Robert Low, Lawana Low, Repole Secure … Pedigree: Into Mischief-Spice is Good, by Curlin … Bought for $975,000 at Keeneland September Yearling Sale 2024 … Subsequent race: Tampa Bay Derby, Tampa Bay Downs, March 3 … No. 2 on Derby factors leaderboard (25). Derby future wage odds: 7-2, all different 2-year-olds.
10 Intrepido (Jeff Mullins, Hector Berrios)
Crushed three-quarters of a size in Robert B. Lewis however owns a victory over Lewis winner Plutarch in American Pharoah … Ridgling has gained two of 5 begins and Mullins was pleased after first begin since fifth within the BC Juvenile on Oct. 31 … Proprietor: Dutch Lady Holdings, Irving Ventures … Pedigree: Maximus Mischief-Overly Indulgent, by Pleasantly Excellent … Bought for $385,000 at Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-12 months-Olds in Coaching 2025 … Subsequent race: San Felipe, Santa Anita, March 7… No. 3 on Derby factors leaderboard (23). Derby future wager odds: 87-1.
Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Related Press Horse Racing Editor. At present, he serves because the information editor at US Racing, overseeing unique content material from contributors worldwide.
