As a poker player, Kiaran McLaughlin appreciates the feeling of having a strong hand. After nearly losing with his entire stack of Kentucky Derby contenders, McLaughlin went “all in” with Frosted for the April 4 Wood Memorial, a race he won by two lengths. Now, on Saturday at Churchill Downs, McLaughlin will participate in the World Series of horse racing, the Kentucky Derby.
His two best 3-year-olds have combined to win all their races save one, and both come off victories in important final preps for the Kentucky Derby. Yes, that outline obviously applies to American Pharoah and Dortmund, the Bob Baffert-trained duo that has dominated the talk of this year’s Derby. But it also applies to trainer Todd Pletcher’s best prospects, Carpe Diem and Materiality.
Carl Nafzger has won the Kentucky Derby twice and was voted into the Racing Hall of Fame, but he might be best known, both in racing and outside it, for one of the greatest unscripted moments in sports history, his impromptu narration to owner Frances Genter of Unbridled’s charge to victory in the Kentucky Derby.
Wayne Catalano is just happy to be here at Churchill Downs – and not in the usual sense that the trainer of a Kentucky Oaks filly feels fortunate.
Assistant trainer Norman Casse doesn’t like using the word “mean” to describe strong-willed Derby hopeful Danzig Moon.
Derby Angles features DRF handicappers looking at individual handicapping factors and how they may play out in this year’s Kentucky Derby.
An immigrant from India to the U.S., Kaleem Shah embraced the opportunities in his new country, gave up his old citizenship to become a nationalized American, and – when he had the resources to operate a racing stable – chose red, white, and blue silks for his horses to carry. Now he has a chance to make his mark on one of the most distinctive American institutions. He could win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
Rosemary Homeister Jr. became part of Kentucky Derby lore 12 years ago when she became just the fifth woman to ride in the race, and now she’s poised to make more Churchill Downs history.
Hall of Fame trainer Wayne Lukas has saddled 47 Kentucky Derby starters, winning four editions of the classic along the way. He has just one shot at his fifth Derby victory on Saturday, sending out longshot Mr. Z. However, don’t think the Lukas influence isn’t all over this Derby.
In the Kentucky Derby, one rule approaches the status of founding principal: To win, a horse must have started as a 2-year-old. Materiality is the latest horse to try and break that rule.
