On Wednesday at 5pm, final entries were taken and post positions were drawn for the 139th 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. 21 horses were entered, with Fear the Kitten getting in as an also eligible who will draw in the race if someone scratches by 9am Friday.
Unlike the "draft draw" held for several years, Churchill Downs reverted back to the traditional double-blind draw a couple of years ago. After the numbers were drawn, handicapper Mike Battaglia announced the morning line. Florida Derby winner Orb was set as favorite at 7-2 with Wood Memorial winner Verrazano second choice at 4-1, and Santa Anita Derby winner Goldencents was the third choice at 5-1. With those three so close in odds, it was all the way up to 10-1 for the fourth choice, Louisiana Derby winner Revolutionary.
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 NBC Sports Network from 11:00am-4:00pm. Free past performances for the Kentucky Derby are available here after the post positions were drawn and
here from in alphabetica order from BRISnet.com. The Kentucky Derby goes off at 6:24pm ET, carded as Race 11 of a 13-race card on Saturday May 4th.
Update: Black Onyx was scratched at 11:30am on Friday. Because it was after 9am, also-eligible Fear the Kitten will now draw in. Black Onyx came back from his gallop this morning with some filling and lameness which x-rays showed was a non-displaced chip in his ankle. They are still waiting for word on whether he will need surgery or if time off will heal it. The stewards have decided that the one hole in the starting gate will be left open.
Triple Crown quick links:
Wednesday Kentucky Derby Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 18 Derby horses, everyone on the grounds except the one in quarantine, and 6 Oaks fillies from this morning on the track. New!
Kentucky Oaks Entries - A field of 11 fillies will go, with Gulfstream Oaks winner Dreaming of Julia favorite at 3-1 from post 8. Get the post positions, odds, and free past performances here. New!
Analyzing the top 2013 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. This year there were is a 3-way tie for the top spot: Goldencents, Normandy Invasion, and Overanalyze. New!
2013 Kentucky Derby And Oaks Security - New enhanced stricter rules will be enforced this year. Be sure to read the rules as many have changed and more things are banned. There will still be magnetic wand searches of all patrons and many things are no longer allowed. Check here to make sure you don't bring anything they will confiscate. New!
Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard - the points earned by contenders in these designated prep races are what will determine who gets in the Kentucky Derby and Oaks at entry time this year. Updated weekly.
Experimental Free Handicap - Ranks the top 2-year-olds for 2012 and determines the dual qualifiers for the 2013 Kentucky Derby.
Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2013 - 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.
2013 Triple Crown Late Nominations - 13 more thoroughbreds were made eligible for the three Triple Crown races for a fee of $6000 by the late nomination deadline, including Spiral Stakes winner Black Onyx. Any not nominated now will have to pay a huge supplement fee to enter. Check out the list here.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager - There will again be three future wager pools for the Derby on Feb. 8-10, March 1-3, and March 22-24. There will be a single pool for the Oaks on March 1-3.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 - Wagering is now closed and the field wound up as the 8-5 with Verrazano next at 11-1. Get the horses, odds, and free past performances here.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 - Wagering is now closed and the field was the 3-1 favorite over Verrazano at 9-1. In the only Kentucky Oaks Future, Flashy Gray was the favorite at 6-1. Get the horses, final odds, free past performances, and exact will-pay amounts here.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 - Wagering is now closed and the field was again the favorite at 5-1 over Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Verrazano at 7-1, who had been the morning line favorite.
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.
