LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Winning his first Kentucky Derby in 1997 fueled the desire of trainer Bob Baffert to do it again. He did it. Again. And again. And again.
Now a four-time winner of the Derby, Baffert will go for a high five on Saturday here at Churchill Downs when he sends out the favorite, Justify, and a longshot, Solomini, in the 144th Derby. Only one trainer, Ben Jones – who won the Derby six times – has more.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Training hours at an American racetrack often feel like barely controlled chaos. But step inside the Todd Pletcher barn and chaos springs to order. His shed row, efficiently bedded with wood shavings, always remains clear. Open the door to an office with every object neatly arrayed and there Pletcher sits at his clutter-free desk.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Todd Pletcher has four horses entered in the 144th Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs, but as the draw for the race unfolded on Tuesday he was beginning to wonder if they had been put in the Witness Protection Program.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Luis Saez is like any other jockey – he’d be overjoyed to win the Kentucky Derby. And with the mount on undefeated Magnum Moon in the 144th Derby, Saez stands as good a chance as any to be surrounded by roses Saturday evening at Churchill Downs.
Victory, however, would come with a certain bittersweet tinge. A part of Saez will be sad that his late younger brother, Juan, will not be able to share in his elation – nor have the same type of opportunity for himself.
“I want to win the race for him,” Saez said.
A day after morning-line favorite Monomoy Girl had her chances of winning the Kentucky Oaks lessened when she drew post 14 for the Kentucky Oaks, Tuesday’s draw for the Kentucky Derby proved of far lesser consequence, at least for many of the race’s leading contenders.
It’s tough assessing this year’s Derby with so little seemingly separating a half-dozen or so top contenders. The main question, from a wagering standpoint, is obviously justifying taking a short price on Justify, who may well be the most talented member of this bunch but perhaps not worth the short price his unblemished record and all the hype surrounding his sudden rise to stardom is sure to bring, especially considering his inexperience.
BOLT D’ORO seems the Kentucky Derby contender most likely to offer betting value. Despite being fast and accomplished, he lacks the pre-race buzz of other horses, likely the result of coming off a loss in his final prep and being overshadowed in the media build-up.
GOOD MAGIC enters Kentucky Derby 2018 without a flaw. He has established class, upward figures, versatile running style, and reportedly is training super in Kentucky. He was one of the country’s top 2-year-olds last year when he crushed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in his third start. The Derby, likewise, is the third start of his campaign, and it follows a confidence-building victory in the Blue Grass. Good Magic has a solid racing foundation, and his versatile style increases the chances of a clean trip.
Historically, horses exiting the UAE Derby haven’t fared well at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, but things could be different in 2018. MENDELSSOHN was exceptional when winning this year’s UAE Derby on March 31 at Meydan, scoring by more than 18 lengths for trainer Aidan O’Brien. While it’s true that Mendelssohn took advantage of a speed-favoring strip, there are other reasons to believe his talent is uncommon and he possesses the ability to win the Kentucky Derby.
