Rob Carr/Getty Images. pictured: Horses compete in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Undefeated Essential Quality has been tabbed the favorite at 3-1 odds following Tuesday’s post-position draw for Saturday’s 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville Ky.
The Derby, which will feature 20 of the top 3-year-old horses in the world, will be run on the dirt at 1 1/4 miles, is the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes, held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, is exactly two weeks after the Derby and followed by the Belmont Stakes on June 5 at Belmont Park in Elmont. N.Y.
Longtime Derby oddsmaker Mike Battaglia made Essential Quality the morning-line favorite after he drew the No. 14 post. The 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion is a perfect 5-for-5 in his career under trainer Brad Cox, who is seeking his first Derby victory.
Rock Your World, the Santa Anita Derby winner, is the second choice at 5-1 and will start next to Essential Quality from the No. 15 post. The talented dark bay colt by Candy Ride is undefeated in three career starts. His convincing triumph last time out caught the attention of many, due to the fact it was his first try on dirt. The John Sadler charge won his first two races on turf.
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Known Agenda (6-1) drew the dreaded rail position via the No. 1 post, followed by Hot Rod Charlie (No. 9) at 8-1 and Highly Motivated (No. 16) at 10-1 to round out the top five on the board.
There were two big defections in the days leading up to the 147th running of the “Run for the Roses,” with Concert Tour and Greatest Honour pulling out of the race after subpar performances last time out. Both were among the top-four betting favorites throughout Derby Futures wagering pools.
Concert Tour, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, finished a disappointing third in the Arkansas Derby and will be pointed toward the Preakness. Greatest Honour, who stormed to a win in the Grade III Fountain of Youth Stakes, would up third in the Grade I Florida Derby and will be given 60 days off before resuming training.
The Action Network will be providing in-depth coverage, with analysis, odds and picks leading up to “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports,” with another Derby champion will be crowned this weekend in Kentucky.
Let’s take a look at field, connections and current odds.
| POST POSITION | ENTRY | ODDS | JOCKEY | TRAINER |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — Known Agenda | 6-1 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher |
| 2 — Like The King | 50-1 | Drayden Van Dyke | Wesley Ward |
| 3 — Brooklyn Strong | 50-1 | Umberto Rispoli | Danny Velasquez |
| 4 — Keepmeinmind | 50-1 | David Cohen | Robertino Diodoro |
| 5 — Sainthood | 50-1 | Corey Lanerie | Todd Pletcher |
| 6 — O Besos | 20-1 | Marcelino Pedroza | Greg Foley |
| 7 — Mandaloun | 15-1 | Florent Geroux | Brad Cox |
| 8 — Medina Spirit | 15-1 | John Velazquez | Bob Baffert |
| 9 — Hot Rod Charlie | 8-1 | Flavien Prat | Doug O’Neill |
| 10 — Midnight Bourbon | 20-1 | Mike Smith | Steve Asmussen |
| 11 — Dynamic One | 20-1 | Jose Ortiz | Todd Pletcher |
| 12 — Helium | 50-1 | Julien Leparoux | Mark Casse |
| 13 — Hidden Stash | 50-1 | Rafael Bejarano | Vickie Oliver |
| 14 — Essential Quality | 2-1 | Luis Saez | Brad Cox |
| 15 — Rock Your World | 5-1 | Joel Rosario | John Sadler |
| 16 — King Fury | 20-1 | Brian Hernandez | Kenny McPeek |
| 17 — Highly Motivated | 10-1 | Javier Castellano | Chad Brown |
| 18 — Super Stock | 30-1 | Ricardo Santana | Steve Asmussen |
| 19 — Soup and Sandwich | 30-1 | Tyler Gaffalione | Mark Casse |
| 20 — Bourbonic | 30-1 | Kendrick Carmouche | Todd Pletcher |