Field Taking Shape for 137th Running of Kentucky Derby

Last Saturday’s Coolmore Lexington (G3) at Keeneland and Jerome (G2) at Aqueduct did not affect the potential lineup for this year’s Kentucky Derby, and the field for the Run for the Roses is taking shape.

It looks as if there will be a full field of 20 in the starting gate on the first Saturday of May, and there could be several defections and additions in the upcoming nine days.

via www.oaklawn.com

Entries for the Derby will be taken on Wednesday May 4.

There are several runners that are questionable, including the speedy The Factor, who misplaced his palate in his seventh place finish in the (G1) on April 16.

His trainer Bob Baffert said the colt had minor throat surgery to correct the problem, The colt galloped on Monday and would have a workout on Wednesday, which should help determine if we are going to see him in the starting gate in Louisville.

His Arkansas Derby dud came after the colt produced three consecutive triple digit Beyer Speed Figures, the only Derby contender that has done so.

Many of the top Derby hopefuls have not hit the triple digit plateau at all, including Dialed In, Archarcharch, Pants On Fire, Nehro, and Mucho Macho Man.

J P’s Gusto, who faded to finish eighth in the Arkansas Derby horse betting could also skip the Derby, and with Uncle Mo trying to get well from a gastrointestinal infection, the complexion of the race could change quite a bit over the next week.

Baffert said if The Factor does make it to the Derby, he would be on the lead, and J P’s Gusto showed speed in his last start.

There are several live horses sitting outside the top twenty that could be factors if they draw into the field.

Sitting at #21 is Shackleford, who bounced back from a sub par effort in the Fountain of Youth (G2) with a game effort in the Florida Derby (G1) where the colt was beaten just a head to Dialed In, who figures to be the betting favorite on Derby Day.

After Shackleford, next in would be Twinspired, who also came out on the wrong end of a photo finish in his last outing.

The colt had the lead in the stretch of the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) and was beaten just a nose by the late running Brilliant Speed.

If you are looking to do some early Derby betting, you may want to focus on several of the longshots that are 40/1 or higher.

Last year, despite a 20-horse field, no horse went off higher than 31/1 in a strange betting race that saw all of the longshots taking some wagering action.

In addition, do not take too short a price if you are betting early. In last year’s race, the betting favorite was Lookin At Lucky at 6.3/1, and only three horses were 10/1 or lower.

Here is a look at the potential lineup for the Kentucky Derby along with recent betting odds:

Graded Earnings List
The top twenty in graded earnings are assured a starting spot in the gate for the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7 at Churchill Downs.

Kentucky Derby Odds

1.Uncle Mo $1,360,000 (6/1)
2. Dialed In $840,000 (4/1)
3. Archarcharch $780,000 (12/1)
4. Comma to the Top $671,000 (50/1)
5. Toby’s Corner $625,000 (16/1)
6. Pants On Fire $623,000 (20/1)
7. Midnight Interlude $600,000 (22/1)
8. J P’s Gusto $544,000 (60/1)
9. Soldat $540,000 (18/1)
10. Brilliant Speed $450,000 (40/1)
11. Master of Hounds $441,884 (25/1)
12. Twice the Appeal $400,000 (50/1)
13. Nehro $400,000 (9/1)
14. Mucho Macho Man $370,000 (18/1)
15. Decisive Moment $301,000 (40/1)
16. Animal Kingdom $285,000 (28/1)
17. The Factor $272,500 (15/1)
18. Stay Thirsty $260,000 (50/1)
19. Santiva $242,397 (40/1)
20. Watch Me Go $235,500 (100/1)
21. Shackleford $212,000 (35/1)
22. Twinspired $197,500 (60/1)
23. Silver Medallion $194,334 (75/1)
24. Anthony’s Cross $182,000 (TBD)