Justify to break from post 7 in Kentucky Derby
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Unbeaten Justify's quest to win the Kentucky Derby and defy more than a century of racing history will begin from post 7 as he faces what is considered a highly competitive field for the Run for the Roses.
Justify, who has won his three starts by a combined 19 lengths, was installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite by Churchill Downs linemaker Mike Battaglia when the field was set on Tuesday for Saturday's Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby.
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As expected, 21 3-year-olds were entered for the Kentucky Derby, and a maximum of 20 may start. Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Blended Citizen is the also-eligible, based on the point system Churchill Downs implemented starting with the 2013 Derby. He has until 9 a.m. Friday, scratch time for both the Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, to draw into the main body of the field.
That main body of the field is led by Justify, trying to become the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a juvenile since Apollo in 1882, as is unbeaten Arkansas Derby winner Magnum Moon. Justify punched his ticket to Louisville by defeating Bolt d'Oro by three lengths in the Santa Anita Derby last month in his stakes debut.
Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith, who won the 2005 Derby aboard Giacomo, has the call on Justify for fellow Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. The trainer is seeking his fifth Kentucky Derby win. He won with Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998, War Emblem in 2002, and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in 2015.
The second choice on Battaglia's morning line is Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn at 5-1. Magnum Moon was set as the third choice at 6-1. Magnum Moon is one of four in the race for trainer Todd Pletcher, along with Florida Derby winner Audible, Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy, and Wood Memorial winner Vino Rosso.
Eclipse Award champion juvenile Good Magic, who won the Blue Grass Stakes in his final Derby prep, landed in post 6, which has not produced a Derby winner since 1993. He is 12-1 on the line.
The Derby will anchor a 14-race card with six other graded stakes, including the Grade 1 Humana Distaff and Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic. First post is 10:30 a.m. Eastern, with the Derby set for 6:46 p.m. The race will air live on NBC from 2:30-7:30 p.m.
More to follow on DRF.com.
Kentucky Derby field, with comments by Jay Privman and Mike Watchmaker.
| POST | HORSE | TRACK ODDS | WATCHMAKER ODDS | BEST BEYER | JAY PRIVMAN AND MIKE WATCHMAKER COMMENTS | |
| SIRE |
 - designates Keeneland sales graduate |
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| 1 | Firenze Fire | 50-1 | 50-1 | 90 | JP: Think his form is in decline, and think the Derby distance is well beyond his comfort zone. That's a bad combo. | |
| by Poseidon's Warrior | MW: Feels like a long time ago when he beat Good Magic in the Champagne. Yes, he's off form, distance-challenged. | |||||
| Owner: Mr. Amore Stable; Trainer: Jason Servis; Jockey: Paco Lopez | ||||||
| 2 |
Free Drop Billy |
30-1 | 30-1 | 90 | JP: Was deservedly moved up to third via DQ in Blue Grass, but has seemed to be stuck at same level this spring. | |
| by Union Rags | MW: One of a conspicuous group here who have shown no progress at a time when they're supposed to progress. | |||||
| Owner: Albaugh Family Stables; Trainer: Dale Romans; Jockey: Robby Albarado | ||||||
| 3 |
Promises Fulfilled |
30-1 | 50-1 | 96 | JP: Figures to try and make the early running, but last race was ugly and this is a far deeper field. Hard to endorse. | |
| by Shackleford | MW: Walked on the early lead when he upset the Fountain of Youth. Won't get a free pass like that in the Derby. | |||||
| Owner: Robert Baron; Trainer: Dale Romans; Jockey: Corey Lanerie | ||||||
| 4 |
Flameaway |
30-1 | 30-1 | 93 | JP: Like how he fires every time, no matter surface. His consistency makes him a use in bottom of gimmicks for me. | |
| by Scat Daddy | MW: He is certainly consistent, but consistency at the low 90s Beyer level won't get much if the best here show up. | |||||
| Owner: John Oxley; Trainer: Mark Casse; Jockey: Jose Lezcano | ||||||
| 5 | Audible | 8-1 | 10-1 | 99 | JP: Got a terrific setup in Fla. Derby, showed good progress in preps at GP. Castellano took him over Bolt d'Oro. | |
| by Into Mischief | MW: I liked his Fla. Derby. It showed he can win from anywhere. I have no issues with him. I just like others more. | |||||
| Owner: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing, & Heads of Plains Partners; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Javier Castellano | ||||||
| 6 |
Good Magic |
12-1 | 8-1 | 100 | JP: Looks to me like he's thriving. Blue Grass win was solid, trained very well since. Sitting on his best race this year. | |
| by Curlin | MW: He must run better than he did beating softer company in Blue Grass or he will likely come up empty-handed. | |||||
| Owner: e Five Thoroughbreds & Stonestreet Stables; Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Jose Ortiz | ||||||
| 7 |
Justify |
3-1 | 7-2 | 107 | JP: Hype is deserved in terms of talent. The big question is if inexperience betrays him if he must overcome trouble. | |
| by Scat Daddy | MW: His positional speed means he should avoid trouble, and puts him in line for a sweet trip. Favorite looks tough. | |||||
| Owner: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing, & Head of Plains Partners; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: Mike Smith | ||||||
| 8 |
Lone Sailor |
50-1 | 50-1 | 95 | JP: Ran his best race yet in Louisiana Derby, but I believe the form of FG preps this year is below other regionals. | |
| by Majestic Warrior | MW: Big try last time combined with blazing work on 4/19 confirms his improvement. I won't dismiss this longshot. | |||||
| Owner: G M B Racing; Trainer: Tom Amoss; Jockey: James Graham | ||||||
| 9 | Hofburg | 20-1 | 20-1 | 94 | JP: Liked maturity he showed in Fla. Derby for a horse with such little experience. Had to wait, tried, second best. | |
| by Tapit | MW: I liked him in the Florida Derby, and I thought he ran very well under the circumstances. He's not out of this. | |||||
| Owner: Juddmonte Farms; Trainer: Bill Mott; Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. | ||||||
| 10 |
My Boy Jack |
30-1 | 30-1 | 94 | JP: Most experienced horse in the field ships everywhere and runs well, but think he's a cut below the best here. | |
| by Creative Cause | MW: He loves the game, and for that I tip my cap. But his best showings were either bias-aided or pace-assisted. | |||||
| Owner: Don't Tell My Wife Stables & Monomoy Stables; Trainer: Keith Desormeaux; Jockey: Kent Desormeaux | ||||||
| 11 | Bolt d'Oro | 8-1 | 10-1 | 103 | JP: Was in unenviable chasing position in SA Derby behind Justify. Two good preps this spring, likely to be value. | |
| by Medaglia d'Oro | MW: Has been one of the best and fastest members of his generation from the get-go. Ignore him at your own risk. | |||||
| Owner: Ruis Racing; Trainer: Mick Ruis; Jockey: Victor Espinoza | ||||||
| 12 | Enticed | 30-1 | 30-1 | 95 | JP: Took solid bump from Vino Rosso, couldn't match strides late in Wood, but won CD's biggest 2yo race last fall. | |
| by Medaglia d'Oro | MW: This horse can run, but I still have some doubts he's at his best going long at this point in his young career. | |||||
| Owner: Godolphin Racing; Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin; Jockey: Junior Alvarado | ||||||
| 13 | Bravazo | 50-1 | 50-1 | 93 | JP: Was trying to lug out entire way in the Louisiana Derby. Hard to like off such a dreadful final prep six weeks ago. | |
| by Awesome Again | MW: He and Promises Fulfilled are in a contest for worst last-out performance. He's not winning that race, either. | |||||
| Owner: Calumet Farm; Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas; Jockey: Luis Contreras | ||||||
| 14 |
Mendelssohn |
5-1 | 6-1 | 106 | JP: World-class trainer and jockey and a horse who romped in his only dirt start make for a potent team. Dangerous. | |
| by Scat Daddy | MW: Would be no surprise, but the setup for this is very different and less favorable than it was in his UAE Derby. | |||||
| Owner: Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, & Michael Tabor; Trainer: Aidan O'Brien; Jockey: Ryan Moore | ||||||
| 15 | Instilled Regard | 50-1 | 50-1 | 92 | JP: Santa Anita Derby pace didn't help him, but not sure he's progressed since Los Alamitos Futurity in December. | |
| by Arch | MW: His Beyers confirm that. He earned a 92 at Los Al, but a 92, 91, and a 90 since then suggest he's gone nowhere. | |||||
| Owner: OXO Equine; Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer; Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke | ||||||
| 16 |
Magnum Moon |
6-1 | 6-1 | 98 | JP: Not crazy about the way he drifted through lane in last two, but crazy about his talent. One of the top contenders. | |
| by Malibu Moon | MW: He's still green, which makes what he's done all the more impressive. Imagine him when he figures it all out. | |||||
| Owner: Lawana & Robert Low; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Luis Saez | ||||||
| 17 |
Solomini |
30-1 | 30-1 | 93 | JP: Strategy for him will be to drop back, hope for hot pace, make one run. Maybe that gets him bottom of gimmicks. | |
| by Curlin | MW: With recent Beyers of 92, 92, 93, and 93, several others would have to flop for him to get even a small piece. | |||||
| Owner: Zayat Stables, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, & Derrick Smith; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: Flavien Prat | ||||||
| 18 |
Vino Rosso |
12-1 | 12-1 | 98 | JP: Overcame slow start, wide trip to win Wood; thought race shape helped him. Extra points Johnny V. chose him. | |
| by Curlin | MW: Didn't run a step in Tampa two starts back, but if his light truly clicked on in the Wood, then he can get involved. | |||||
| Owner: Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: John Velazquez | ||||||
| 19 | Noble Indy | 30-1 | 20-1 | 95 | JP: Improved quite a bit last time out with blinkers; was close to strong pace, battled back courageously to win. | |
| by Take Charge Indy | MW: Bottom line is, he was hard-pressed to win a prep that wasn't considered strong over lesser regarded rivals. | |||||
| Owner: WinStar Farm & Repole Stable; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Florent Geroux | ||||||
| 20 |
Combatant |
50-1 | 30-1 | 94 | JP: Was compromised by slow pace, wide trip in Ark. Derby, but just doesn't finish off his races as one might hope. | |
| by Scat Daddy | MW: I take that as an indication that, at least at this point in time, he wants to go a shorter distance, not longer. | |||||
| Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds & Willis Horton; Trainer: Steve Asmussen; Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. | ||||||
| Also Eligible: | ||||||
| 21 |
Blended Citizen |
50-1 | 50-1 | 88 | JP: Didn't have cleanest of trips in Blue Grass, has improved with blinkers, but must move up a lot to make impact. | |
| by Proud Citizen | MW: Had trouble at Kee, yet was beaten less than five lengths. Another reason to question strength of Blue Grass. | |||||
| Owner: Greg Hall and SAYJAY Racing; Trainer: Doug O'Neill; Jockey: Kyle Frey | ||||||
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