Kentucky Derby Contenders: 2023 Edition
Derby Contender Profiles: A Look at the Top Horses Competing in the Kentucky Derby
Whether you're a seasoned horse racing enthusiast or a newcomer looking to place a few bets, the Kentucky Derby is an event not to be missed! Let's dive into the profiles of some of the talented contenders gearing up for the 2023 race. Beware - some have questionable connections, and it wouldn't be the Derby without a few surprises!
- CITIZEN BULL (20-1)
Record: 6-4-0-1Trainer: Bob BaffertJockey: Martin GarciaBest Beyer Speed Figure: 98Earnings: $1,451,000Beware the dark horse on the inside, lurking from the inner-most post. Early speed could be his key to success, but despite Baffert's tainted reputation, I'll still put him on my Exacta ticket.
- NEOEQUOS (30-1)**
Record: 7-2-2-2Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.Jockey: Flavien PratBest Beyer Speed Figure: 91Earnings: $291,050Another speedball with an unimpressive record. The inside post might compromise his chances, but this could be a good bet for the daring.
- FINAL GAMBIT (30-1)**
Record: 4-2-1-1Trainer: Brad CoxJockey: Luan MachadoBest Beyer Speed Figure: 90Earnings: $520,639I'm a Brad Cox fan to the core, but I'm crushed by the unfortunate injury of Tappan Street. A recent win at Turfway doesn't exactly bleed excitement. Pass.
- RODRIGUEZ (12-1) - SCRATCHED
5. AMERICAN PROMISE (30-1)Record: 9-2-1-1Trainer: D. Wayne LukasJockey: Nik JuarezBest Beyer Speed Figure: 95Earnings: $444,874Promises of a Derby win but fails to impress. Lukas is a seasoned pro, but this colt has nowhere near the class needed to win.
- DEVIOUS DAY (30-1)**
Record: 8-4-1-1Trainer: Yukihiro KatoJockey: Chistophe LemarieBest Beyer Speed Figure: UnknownEarnings: $672,047Speedway may be great, but I can't get behind this Japanese import.
7. LUXOR CAFE (15-1)Record: 6-4-1-0Trainer: Noriyuki HoriJockey: Joao MoreiraBest Beyer Speed Figure: -Earnings: $379,057Hailing from Japan, Luxor Cafe is a four-race winner on the trot. But a big step up in competition awaits this youngster, despite riding an impressive streak.
8: HANDBAG PAM (10-1)**
Record: 5-4-0-1Trainer: Michael McCarthyJockey: Umberto RispoliBest Beyer Speed Figure: 108Earnings: $638,880Inside post compromises chances, but with an undefeated run since her debut, she's poised to be a serious contender. An impressive Sunday workout signals she's ready.
- SMEAR CAMPAIGN (12-1)**
Record: 6-3-1-1Trainer: Ian WilkesJockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.Best Beyer Speed Figure: 96Earnings: $977,755Overpriced at 12-1, but the mid-gate draw should benefit his late-running style. He was my pick for the Holy Bull, and I'm back on him for this one.
- ELUSIVE MIKE (20-1) - SCRATCHED**
11. KISS ME KIARA (30-1)
Record: 6-2-2-0Trainer: Whitworth BeckmanJockey: Joseph RamosBest Beyer Speed Figure: 84Earnings: $295,800My new favorite longshot - everything is improving, and the trainer has been impressive. Speed figure points to a possible in-the-money finish.
12. EAST AVENUE (20-1)
Record: 5-2-1-0Trainer: Brendan WalshJockey: Manny FrancoBest Beyer Speed Figure: 96Earnings: $654,395Walsh had a stellar Keeneland meet, and Franco's a top NY jockey. Recent work points to him being battle-ready. Walsh's winnings could taste like sweet Derby victory pineapple punch.
- HORSE COMMANDER (20-1)**
Record: 7-M-2-3Trainer: Steve AsmussenJockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.Best Beyer Speed Figure: 95Earnings: $407,756Never count all-time wins leader Asmussen out. The son of Derby winner American Pharoah is improving with each race. I like the maiden's chances.
14. SWEET TRUST (20-1)
Record: 8-3-1-2Trainer: Steve AsmussenJockey: Joel RosarioBest Beyer Speed Figure: 95Earnings: $1,549,800Despite being sired by a Derby winner, expect this Asmussen sprint champ to struggle. Regression is inevitable here.
15. EXTRA MALLARD (30-1)
Record: 7-1-2-1Trainer: Kenny McPeekJockey: Julien LeparouxBest Beyer Speed Figure: 90Earnings: $250,672I'm wary of this slowpoke, but if he can somehow keep up in this class, he may have a shot. Not my first pick, though.
16. NUT CRACKER JR (30-1)
Record: 8-5-0-1Trainer: Lonnie BrileyJockey: Juan VargasBest Beyer Speed Figure: 91Earnings: $1,188,875The hay ain't fertilized by other contenders, so Bagman hasn't had much room to shine. Pass.
17. SONGBIRD’S SONG (6-1)
Record: 8-3-1-2Trainer: Mark CasseJockey: Jose OrtizBest Beyer Speed Figure: 99Earnings: $1,254,595Expect a flood of bets on this runner, but Casse's charge is capable of sending you to sleep. I'd pass on the win wager.
18. SILVER WODDER (5-1)
Record: 5-2-2-0Trainer: Bill MottJockey: Junior AlvaradoBest Beyer Speed Figure: 95Earnings: $572,800Improving efforts put her on my short list, replacing Tappan Street. Mott-Alvarado team is a proven winner, and the outside post suits her late-closing style.
19. WHITE D'GOLD (30-1)
Record: 4-1-3-0Trainer: Ethan WestJockey: Jareth LoveberryBest Beyer Speed Figure: 92Earnings: $348,818Another lesser-known contender, so I say pass.
20. A.P. ABRACADABRA (30-1)
Record: 7-3-2-0Trainer: Brian LynchJockey: Javier CastellanoBest Beyer Speed Figure: 93Earnings: $499,935Who could forget the excitement of Owens Almighty? I can't, but I sure can't back this longshot with a mediocre record and a dubious name.
21. DAUNTING DREAM (12-1)
Record: 4-1-2-0Trainer: John ShirreffsJockey: Flavien PratBest Beyer Speed Figure: 101Earnings: $148,500Shirreffs has a capable rider, but with only modest success to show for it, I can't recommend this one with confidence.
- Citizen Bull, trained by Bob Baffert, could be a possible winner due to his early speed, but his connection with Baffert might compromise his chances.
- Neoeqous, another speedball with an unimpressive record, might be a good bet for the daring, but the inside post could compromise his chances.
- American Promise, despite being trained by a seasoned pro (D. Wayne Lukas), has nowhere near the class needed to win the Kentucky Derby.
- Horse Commander, the son of Derby winner American Pharoah, is improving with each race, and all-time wins leader Asmussen should not be counted out.
