The 2019 Kentucky Derby Field: A Look at the Contenders With Post Position
The week of the 145th Kentucky Derby has finally arrived, as the Run for the Roses is set for Saturday, May 4th at 6:50 PM EST. The fastest and most accomplished three-year-old thoroughbreds in the world will compete under the twin spires at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky for a chance to find themselves in the most prominent winner’s circle the sport has to offer. The world famous 1 1/4 mile race now has a guaranteed purse of $3 million, up $1 million from last year, setting the record for the highest purse of any horse race. The winner of the Grade 1 Stakes race will take home $1.86 million, as well as the coveted gold trophy. 2,510 qualifying points were awarded to potential Kentucky Derby contenders in 46 prep races since September, including races in Europe and Japan. Now that the post positions have been drawn for the official 20 horse Derby field, we’ll take a glance at each contender hoping to cement their name in history.
*Equibase Speed Rating measures how fast a horse has run in it’s past races using an algorithm based
on multiple factors including race time, track condition and race type.
Horses by post position with morning line odds:
- War of Will – (20-1) – Bay colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Mark E. Casse
- Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
- Owner: Gary Barber
- Pedigree: War Front – Visions of Clarity
- Career Earnings: $501,569
- Career Record: 8 starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 107
- Kentucky Derby Points: 60
- Notable Results:
- Won the Risen Star (G2) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Fair Grounds
- Finished 9th in the Louisiana Derby (G2) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Fair Grounds
- Tax – (20-1) – Dark Bay colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Danny Gargan
- Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- Owners: R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch, and Corms Racing Stable
- Pedigree: Arch – Toll
- Career Earnings: $326,300
- Career Record: 5 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 105
- Kentucky Derby Points: 52
- Notable Results:
- Won the Withers (G3) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Aqueduct
- Finished 2nd in the Wood Memorial (G2) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Aqueduct
- By My Standards – (20-1) – Bay colored colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Bret Calhoun
- Jockey: Gabriel Saez
- Owner: Allied Racing Stable
- Pedigree: Goldencents – A Jealous Woman
- Career Earnings: $653,710
- Career Record: 5 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 96
- Kentucky Derby Points: 100
- Notable Results:
- Won the Louisiana Derby (G2) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Fair Grounds
- Gray Magician – (50-1) – Gray colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Peter Miller
- Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke
- Owners: Wachtel Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Gary Barber
- Pedigree: Graydar – Burg Berg
- Career Earnings: $584,140
- Career Record: 8 starts – 1 win – 3 seconds – 2 thirds
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 98
- Kentucky Derby Points: 41
- Notable Results:
- Finished 2nd in the UAE Derby (G2) – 1 3/16 miles (D) at Meydan in Dubai
- Improbable – (6-1) – Chestnut colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Owners: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and Starlight Racing
- Pedigree: City Zip – Rare Event
- Career Earnings: $619,520
- Career Record: 5 starts – 3 wins -2 seconds – 0 thirds
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 109
- Kentucky Derby Points: 65
- Notable Results:
- Finished 2nd in the Rebel Stakes (G2) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Oaklawn Park
- Finished 2nd in the Arkansas Derby (G1) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Oaklawn Park
- Vekoma – (20-1) – Chestnut colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: George Weaver
- Jockey: Javier Castellano
- Owners: R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables
- Pedigree: Candy Ride -Mona de Momma
- Career Earnings: $788,850
- Career Record: 4 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 110
- Kentucky Derby Points: 110
- Notable Results:
- Finished 3rd in the Fountain of Youth (G2) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Gulfstream Park
- Won the Bluegrass Stakes (G2) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Keeneland
- Maximum Security – (10-1) – Bay colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Jason Servis
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Owners: Gary and Mary West
- Pedigree: New Year’s Day – Lil Indy
- Career Earnings: $649,400
- Career Record: 4 starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 109
- Kentucky Derby Points: 100
- Notable Results:
- Won the Florida Derby (G1) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Gulfstream Park
- Tacitus – (10-1) – Grey colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: William I. Mott
- Jockey: Jose Ortiz
- Owner: Juddmonte Farms, Inc.
- Pedigree: Tapit – Close Hatches
- Career Earnings: $653,000
- Career Record: 4 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 106
- Kentucky Derby Points: 150
- Notable results:
- Won the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Tampa Bay Downs
- Won the Wood Memorial (G2) – 1 1/8 mile at Aqueduct
- Plus Que Parfait – (30-1) – Chestnut colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Brendan Walsh
- Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
- Owner: Imperial Racing
- Pedigree: Point of Entry – Belvedera
- Career Earnings: $1,590,400
- Career Record: 7 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 96
- Kentucky Derby Points: 104
- Notable Results:
- Finished 13th in the Risen Star (G2) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Fair Grounds
- Won the UAE Derby (G2) – 1 3/16 mile (D) at Meydan in Dubai
- Cutting Humor – (30-1) – Dark bay colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: Corey Lanerie
- Owner: Starlight Racing
- Pedigree: First Samurai – Pun
- Career Earnings: $516,967
- Career Record: 6 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 103
- Kentucky Derby Points: 50
- Notable Results:
- Finished 7th in the Southwest Stakes (G3) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Oaklawn Park
- Won the Sunland Derby (G3) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Sunland Park
- Haikal – (30-1) – Bay colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
- Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
- Owner: Shadwell Stable
- Pedigree: Daaher – Sablah
- Career Earnings: $373,900
- Career Record: 5 starts – 3wins – 1 second – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 104
- Kentucky Derby Points: 70
- Notable Results:
- Won the Gotham (G3) – 1 mile (D) at Aqueduct
- Finished 3rd in the Wood Memorial (G2) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Aqueduct
- Omaha Beach – (4-1) – Dark bay colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Richard Mandella
- Jockey: Mike Smith
- Owner: Fox Hill Farms
- Pedigree: War Front – Charming
- Career Earnings: $1,121,800
- Career Record: 7 starts – 3 wins – 3 seconds – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 110
- Kentucky Derby Points: 137.5
- Notable Results:
- Won the Rebel Stakes (G2) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Oaklawn Park
- Won the Arkansas Derby (G1) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Oaklawn Park
- Code of Honor – (15-1) – Chestnut colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Shug McGaughey
- Jockey: John Velazquez
- Owner: W.S. Farish
- Pedigree: Noble Mention – Reunited
- Career Earnings: $478,820
- Career Record: 5 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 111
- Kentucky Derby Points: 74
- Notable Results:
- Won the Fountain of Youth (G2) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Gulfstream Park
- Placed 3rd in the Florida Derby (G1) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Gulfstream Park
- Win Win Win – (15-1) – Dark bay colt bred in Florida
- Trainer: Michael Trombetta
- Jockey: Julian Pimentel
- Owner: Live Oak Plantation
- Pedigree: Hat Trick – Miss Smarty Pants
- Career Earnings: $367,300
- Career Record: 6 starts – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 113
- Kentucky Derby Points: 50
- Notable Results:
- Finished 3rd in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Tampa Bay Downs
- Finished 2nd in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Keeneland
- Master Fencer – (50-1) – Chestnut colt bred in Japan
- Trainer: Koichi Tsunoda
- Jockey: Julien Leparoux
- Owner: Katsumi Yoshizawa
- Pedigree: Just a Way – Sexy Zamurai
- Career Earnings: $234,392
- Career Record: 6 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: N/A
- Kentucky Derby Points : Automatic Qualifier
- Notable Results:
- Finished 2nd in the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse
- Finished 4th in the Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse
- Game Winner – (5-1) – Bay colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Jockey: Joel Rosario
- Owner: Gary and Mary West
- Pedigree: Candy Ride – Indyan Giving
- Career Earnings: $1,846,000
- Career Record: 6 starts – 4 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 111
- Kentcky Derby Points: 85
- Notable Results:
- Finished 2nd in the Rebel Stakes (G2) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Oaklawn Park
- Finished 2nd in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Santa Anita Park
- Roadster – (6-1) – Grey colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Jockey: Florent Geroux
- Owner: Speedway Stable
- Pedigree: Quality Road – Ghost Dancing
- Career Earnings: $706,200
- Career Record: 4 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 106
- Kentucky Derby Points: 100
- Notable Results:
- Finished 3rd in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) – 7 furlongs (D) at Del Mar
- Won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Santa Anita Park
- Long Range Toddy – (30-1) – Dark bay colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Steve Asmussen
- Jockey: Jon Court
- Owner: Willis Horton
- Pedigree: Take Charge Indy – Pleasant Song
- Career Earnings: $854,459
- Career Record: 8 starts – 4 wins – 1 second – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 109
- Kentucky Derby Points: 53.5
- Notable Results:
- Won the Rebel Stakes (G2) – 1 1/16 mile (D) at Oaklawn Park
- Finished 6th in the Arkansas Derby (G1) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Oaklawn Park
- Spinoff – (30-1) – Chestnut colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: Manny Franco
- Owner: Wertheimer & Frere
- Pedigree: Hard Spun – Zaftig
- Career Earnings: $260,000
- Career Record: 4 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 101
- Kentucky Derby Points: 40
- Notable Results:
- Finished 3rd in the Saratoga Special (G2) – 6 1/2 furlongs (D) at Saratoga
- Finished 2nd in the Louisiana Derby (G2) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Fair Grounds
- County House – (30-1) – Chestnut colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Bill Mott
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Owners: Mrs. J. V. Shields Jr., E. J. M. McFadden, and LNJ Foxwoods
- Pedigree: Lookin at Lucky – Quake Lake
- Career Earnings: $260,175
- Career Record: 6 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 1 third
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99
- Kentucky Derby Points: 50
- Notable Results:
- Finished 4th in the Louisiana Derby (G2) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Fair Grounds
- Finished 3rd in the Arkansas Derby (G1) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Oaklawn Park
Also Eligible:
- Bodexpress – (30-1) – Bay colt bred in Kentucky
- Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
- Jockey: Chris Landeros
- Owner: Top Racing, Global Thoroughbred, and GDS Racing Stable
- Pedigree: Bodemeister – Pied a Terre
- Career Earnings: $208,700
- Career Record: 5 starts – 0 wins – 3 seconds – 0 thirds
- Top Equibase Speed Figure: 103
- Kentucky Derby Points: 40
- Notable Results:
- Finished 2nd in the Florida Derby (G1) – 1 1/8 mile (D) at Gulfstream Park
* Bodexpress could be placed into the field if any horse is scratched before Friday at 9 AM EST.
This year’s race gears up to be one of the most wide open and compelling Derbys in recent memory, as the field consists of a diverse group of runners without a dominant favorite. The betting favorite has won the last six Kentucky Derbys, with Justify racing to the winner’s circle last year on his way to a Triple Crown victory. This Derby hosts an intriguing field of the most distinguished horses on the planet, with several capable of conquering the Garland of Roses. The excitement of Derby week is unrivaled, and the anticipation will continue to build until the Call to the Post for The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.
