The 148th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), the "Run for the Roses" featuring the best 3-year-olds of 2022, is on the first Saturday in May. Fans will be allowed in this year with no capacity limits. Entries closed on Monday May 2 and a full field of 20 was draw with 2 also eligibles. Zandon is the 3-1 morning line favorite off his win in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) after finishing third in the Risen Star (G2). Flavien Prat, who rode him at Keeneland, gets the call for trainer Chad Brown from post 10.
Miss Kentucky, Haley Wheeler, hangs the silks during the post position draw
The second choice at 7-2 is Epicenter off wins in the Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds. Regular rider Joel Rosario will be in the irons out of the 3 hole for trainer Steve Asmussen. Messier is the 8-1 third choice off his second place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) after winning the Robert B. Lewis (G3) both at Santa Anita. Regular rider John Velazquez rides out of post 6 for trainer Tim Yakteen who replaced the suspended Bob Baffert just before the Santa Anita Derby. There is no auxiliary gate anymore after the debut of the 20-horse starting gate in 2020, so there is no longer a gap between posts 14 and 15.
Below is a list of the entries with their post position, trainer, jockey, morning line odds, and dosage index. Free past performances are available here and here (look for Cyberknife). Each horse names links to a profile with lots of info and a photo. Entries for the entire Kentucky Derby card can be found on Equibase.
Update: Ethereal Road scratched Friday morning, so Rich Strike draws in and Rattle N Roll is out.
Triple Crown quick links:
2022 Kentucky Derby Analysis - Our 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 is a narrow winner for top choice but it isn't the favorite.
Kentucky Oaks Entries - On Monday afternoon the post positions were drawn for the 148th Longines Kentucky Oaks and a full field of 14 3-year-old fillies plus one also-eligible made the entry box, with 5-2 morning line favorite Nest drawing post 4. Get the horses, post positions, and free past performances here.
Kentucky Derby Winners and Auction Prices - Bigger may seem better, but in the case of Kentucky Derby horses who sold at auction, less is more. Here is a look at how (badly) high priced auction purchases have done in the Kentucky Derby and the auction prices for this year's top Derby horses.
2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby - All the point earning races on the Triple Crown Trail leading up to the Kentucky Derby with results and winners updated as they are run.
2022 Triple Crown Late Nominations - UAE Derby runner-up Summer is Now headlines the list of seven late Triple Crown nominations made eligible by a $6000 fee by the March 28 deadline.
Early Triple Crown Nominations - 312 horses where nominated by the early deadline of January 29 for the 2022 Triple Crown. Trainer Todd Pletcher nominated the most with 42 followed by Brad Cox with 26. Check out all the horses and free past performances from Equibase.
2022 Kentucky Derby And Oaks Security - New enhanced stricter rules with no onsite parking were enforced in 2018, and are in effect again this year. Be sure to read the rules if you are attending. 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.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager - This year there are 5 pools starting in November of 2021 plus a single pool for the Oaks.
Kentucky Derby Prep Races - What races should a horse prep in to win the Kentucky Derby? Some races may seem obvious, but have not produced a Derby winner in many years. Find out which races are the best preps here.
Kentucky Derby Winners and Auction Prices - Bigger may seem better, but in the case of Kentucky Derby horses who sold at auction, less is more. Here is a look at how (badly) high priced auction purchases have done in the Kentucky Derby and the auction prices for this year's top Derby contenders.
Kentucky Derby Traditions - Find out all about the big Derby Traditions: the rose garland, the trophy, the Twin Spires, mint juleps, singing "My Old Kentucy Home", fancy hats, celebrities and the annual Derby glasses.
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.
Get a head start on handicapping the Kentucky Derby here:
Review: Betting the Kentucky Derby - How to Wager and Win on America's Biggest Horse Race by Dean Keppler. Breaks the task of handicapping the Derby into easy to understand strategies that any bettor at any level of play can implement and gives strategies for wagering as well.
Why not play the contrarian on Derby Day - From American Turf Monthly for a past Derby, but lots of angles and tips toward the p">Kentucky Derby Betting - Tips on how to handicap the Derby from Predict Em! and handicapper Kenneth Strong.