run for the roses facts
The one-hole has not produced a Kentucky Derby winner since 1986, when Ferdinand triumphed. Lookin At Lucky is 2-for-2 when breaking from the inner-most position.
Baffert also trains No. 12 Conveyance (12/1), who has won four of his five starts. Conveyance’s only second-place finish occurred in the Sunland Derby last month, when he lost to Endorsement.
No. 20 Sidney’s Candy (5/1) is the morning-line second choice. The Santa Anita Derby’s victor has visited the winner’s circle in three straight starts, which all took place on the California track’s synthetic surface.
John Sadler, who trains Sidney’s Candy, also has No. 5 Line of David (30/1) in his arsenal. Line of David has won his last three outings, and took Oaklawn Park’s Arkansas Derby by a neck three weeks ago.
No. 11 Devil May Care (10/1) is the only filly among Saturday’s contestants. Jockey John Velazquez rode her to victory in Gulfstream Park’s Bonnie Miss Stakes six weeks ago, and stays aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Pletcher also trains No. 4 Super Saver (15/1), No. 14 Mission Impazible (20/1), and No. 15 Discreetly Mine (30/1). The four-time Eclipse Award winner is 0-for-24 with Kentucky Derby starters.
No. 18 Backtalk (50/1) is the field’s only horse who is 2-for-2 on wet dirt, which could be Saturday’s race condition with thunderstorms expected. The son of 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones is 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs.
No. 2 Ice Box (10/1) and No. 13 Jackson Bend (15/1) are a twosome for trainer Nick Zito, who has won the Kentucky Derby on two occasions. Ice Box won Gulfstream Park’s Florida Derby by a nose six weeks ago, while Jackson Bend has not won since an Oct. 17 victory at Calder.
Dublin (12/1) competes Saturday for four-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The son of Afleet Alex finished third in the Arkansas Derby with career-high speed and will break from the No. 17 post..
No. 3 Noble’s Promise (12/1) has jockey Willie Martinez returning aboard after a three-start hiatus. Martinez was mounted for the colt’s most recent victory in October’s Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland.
No. 6 Stately Victor (30/1) hit career-high speed in a 4-1/4 length win at Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes three weeks ago. The long shot had his only other win since breaking maiden last September at Saratoga.
American Lion (30/1) won Hawthorne’s Illinois Derby four weeks ago by 2-3/4 lengths. Jockey David Flores, who went gate-to-wire for the victory, is 0-for-9 in the Kentucky Derby. Lion will run from the No. 7 post.
No. 8 Dean’s Kitten (50/1) improved to 3-for-11 lifetime after winning Turfway Park’s Lanes End Stakes five weeks ago. The underdog will carry jockey Robby Albarado, who has not ridden the colt before.
No. 9 Make Music for Me (50/1) loses jockey Mike Smith, who was aboard for a March 6 victory in Santa Anita’s Pasadena Stakes. Alexis Barba’s contender will now have Joel Rosario on board in his first Kentucky Derby.
Paddy O’Prado (20/1), which will start from the middle of the gate at No. 10, was the Blue Grass’ runner-up to Stately Victor. The colt’s only race at Churchill Downs was a seventh-place finish in his July 5 career debut.
No. 16 Awesome Act (10/1) won Aqueduct’s Gotham Stakes with a 1-1/4 length victory in March. Jockey Julien Leparoux followed it up with a third-place finish four weeks ago in the Wood Memorial.
No. 19 Homeboykris (50/1) is 2-for-6 in his career with the most recent win last October in Belmont Park’s Champagne Stakes. The son of Roman Ruler has not raced for trainer Richard Dutrow since a Feb. 27 second-place allowance finish at Gulfstream Park.
Saturday’s showdown has a post time of 3:24 p.m. (PT), and is Race 11 on Churchill Downs’ card. NBC will provide television coverage.