On Wednesday at 5pm, final entries were taken and post positions were drawn for the 137th running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby (G1). A full field of 20 three-year-olds will go 1 1/4 miles on Saturday at Churchill Downs. 22 horses were entered, with Sway Away and Ruler On Ice being eliminated due to insufficient graded stakes earnings.
Unlike the "draft draw" held for several years, Churchill Downs reverted back to the traditional double-blind draw last year and again this year. After the numbers were drawn, handicapper Mike Battaglia announced the morning line, saying that despite the post positions he did not make any changes. Florida Derby winner Dialed In at 4-1 is a narrow favorite over 2-year-old champion Uncle Mo, who was set at 9-2. Arkansas Derby runner-up Nehro is next at 6-1 with Arkansas Derby winner Archarcharch and Blue Grass Stakes winner Midnight Interlude both at 10-1.
Below is the field listed in post position order with morning line odds. Be sure to click the link on each horse's name to view full info, stats, and a photo where available. A star next to the dosage index indicates a dual qualifier.
The Kentucky Derby will be televised on NBC from 4-7:00pm EDT but you can watch most of the Derby card on VERSUS from 11:00am-4:00pm. Free past performances for the Kentucky Derby are available from Daily Racing Form and BRISnet.com. The Kentucky Derby goes off at 6:24pm ET, carded as Race 11 of a 13-race card on Saturday May 7th.
Tuesday Kentucky Derby Workouts - Photos of some of the horses working at Churchill plus Toby's Corner galloping at Fair Hills. Today he was withdrawn from the Derby due to an injury that showed up after that work. New!
2011 Kentucky Oaks Entries - A field of 13 was entered for Friday's Kentucky Oaks with 5-2 favorite Joyful Victory drawing post 1. Get the post positions, odds, and free past performances here. New!
Analyzing the top 2011 Kentucky Derby contenders - My annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends. No surprise there is a 3-way tie for top spot this year. New!
Free past performances - from BRISnet (click link by Uncle Mo) for all the top contenders. New!
Derby Contender Graded Stakes Earnings - ranks the top contenders by graded earnings. This is what determines who can get in the starting gate on Derby day. Includes earnings through 5/1. Updated!
Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2011 - by Jim Mazur. Includes lots of stats for all 3 races and explains how to use a system of statistically derived negative angles to eliminate the "bad" picks.
2011 Triple Crown Late Nominations - Thirteen more thoroughbreds were made eligible for the three Triple Crown races for a fee of $6000 by the late nomination deadline, including Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go. Any not nominated now will have to pay a huge supplement fee to enter. Check out the list here.
Experimental Free Handicap - Ranks the top 2-year-olds for 2010 and determines the dual qualifiers for the 2011 Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager - There will again be three future wager pools for the Derby on Feb. 18-20, March 11-13, and April 1-3. There will be a single pool for the Oaks on March 11-13.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 - Wagering is now closed and juvenile champion Uncle Mo was the 3-1 favorite over Florida Derby winner Dialed In at 5-1. Get the horses, closing odds, will-pay amounts, and free past performances here.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 - Wagering is now closed and Uncle Mo, who won his 2011 debut on Saturday, is the favorite at 3-1 with the field next at 7-2. In the only Kentucky Oaks Future, Kathmanblu is the favorite at 7-2. Get the horses, final odds, free past performances, and exact will-pay amounts here.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 - Wagering is now closed and the field was the favorite at 2-1 favorite with Uncle Mo next at 7-2. Get the horses, final odds, free past performances, and will-pay prices here.
Injury Report - who is hurt or off the trail from the Road to the Roses contest
Derby Briefing Book - Top Derby contenders with profiles from the Courier-Journal
Fillies in the Kentucky Derby - a look at the 39 fillies who have contested the Run for the Roses and how they did. So far there have been 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 5 thirds.
DRF Kentucky Derby Special - Lots of good info like past winners preps, contenders, past performances, and latest news.
Review: Kentucky Derby Greatest Moments - Commemorative DVD from Churchill Downs with video from 27 different runnings along with interviews, photos, and historical info. Definitely recommended for any racing fan!
Review: Churchill Downs - America's Most Historic Racetrack by Kimberly Gatto. An entertaining and informative account of the history of the track and it's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, with lots of photos. Definitely recommended.
