The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, taking place annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s a race that has been steeped in tradition for over a century, and attracts a wide range of spectators, from hardcore horse racing fans to casual observers who are simply drawn in by the spectacle and excitement of the event.
For many people, the highlight of the Kentucky Derby is the chance to witness some of the world’s most talented horses competing on one of the biggest stages in horse racing. In this blog post, we’ll be taking a closer look at the top 10 horses to watch at this year’s Kentucky Derby. We’ll be using a range of criteria to make our selection, including past performance, current form, and pedigree. So without further ado, let’s dive in and take a look at the top horses to watch at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Criteria for Selection
Explanation of the factors considered when choosing the top horses to watch Discussion of the importance of past performance, current form, and pedigree
When it comes to selecting the top horses to watch at the Kentucky Derby, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into account. One of the most important is past performance – how well has the horse performed in previous races? Another key consideration is current form – is the horse in good form heading into the Kentucky Derby? And of course, pedigree is also an important factor – a horse with a strong lineage is more likely to perform well on the big day.
To make our selection for the top 10 horses to watch, we’ll be taking into account all of these factors, as well as other relevant information such as jockey and trainer performance. With that in mind, let’s move on to the main event and take a closer look at the top 10 horses to watch at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
#10. Essential Quality – This talented horse has won all five of his career starts, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by jockey Luis Saez, Essential Quality has consistently shown strong form and is expected to put in a good performance at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
#9. Midnight Bourbon – This horse has been steadily improving in recent months, winning the Lecomte Stakes and finishing second in the Risen Star Stakes. With jockey Mike Smith on board and trainer Steve Asmussen in charge, Midnight Bourbon could be a strong contender at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
#8. Super Stock – Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., Super Stock has had a solid season so far, winning the Arkansas Derby in impressive fashion. While he’s not the flashiest horse in the field, his consistency and steady improvement make him a strong contender for the Kentucky Derby.
#7. Rock Your World – This talented horse has won all three of his career starts, including the Santa Anita Derby. Trained by John Sadler and ridden by jockey Joel Rosario, Rock Your World has shown great promise in his short career and could surprise many at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
#6. Known Agenda – Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., Known Agenda has been a consistent performer this season, winning the Florida Derby in impressive fashion. With a strong pedigree and plenty of talent, Known Agenda is definitely a horse to watch at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
#5. Mandaloun – Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by jockey Florent Geroux, Mandaloun has shown plenty of promise this season, winning the Risen Star Stakes and finishing second in the Louisiana Derby. With a strong pedigree and a talented jockey/trainer team behind him, Mandaloun is definitely a horse to watch at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
#4. Hot Rod Charlie – This talented horse has finished in the money in all six of his career starts, including a win in the Louisiana Derby. Trained by Doug O’Neill and ridden by jockey Flavien Prat, Hot Rod Charlie has consistently shown strong form and could be a strong contender at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
#3. Highly Motivated – Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by jockey Javier Castellano, Highly Motivated has won two of his four career starts, including the Nyquist Stakes. With a strong pedigree and a talented trainer/jockey combination, Highly Motivated could be a force to be reckoned with at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
#2. Medina Spirit – Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by jockey John Velazquez, Medina Spirit has won three of his five career starts, including the Santa Anita Derby. With a strong trainer/jockey team behind him and plenty of talent, Medina Spirit is definitely a horse to watch at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
#1. Caddo River – Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by jockey Florent Geroux, Caddo River has consistently shown strong form this season, finishing second in the Arkansas Derby and winning the Smarty Jones Stakes. With a strong pedigree and a talented trainer/jockey combination, Caddo River is our top pick for this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Honorable Mentions:
- Bourbonic
- Helium
- Soup and Sandwich
Conclusion:
Recap of the top 10 horses to watch at this year’s Kentucky Derby and why they are strong contenders. Explanation of how these horses compare to past Kentucky Derby winners and what makes them unique. Final thoughts on which horse might emerge as the ultimate victor in this year’s Kentucky Derby.
