LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mom and Dad will be here. So will the three sisters and some of their kids and other family members – or a fair percentage of the population of Vermilion Parish, La.
“This isn’t just for me and Keith and the family,” said Kent Desormeaux, the Hall of Fame jockey who will ride Exaggerator for his older brother, trainer Keith Desormeaux, in the 142nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs. “It’s for Cajun pride. This is huge.”
While the Kentucky Derby is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for every horse in the field, the same could be said for many about the distance they will run Saturday. The final furlong in the 1 1/4-mile race will be uncharted territory in competition for all of its entries, many of whom will never race the classic distance again.
The surroundings at Churchill Downs on Saturday will be familiar to jockey Mario Gutierrez – the crowded and hectic scene in the paddock, the pageantry of the post parade, and the electric atmosphere as the field nears the gate for the Kentucky Derby.
He’s been there before, and the experience will prove invaluable.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gustav Nyquist wears No. 14 for the Detroit Red Wings, but his namesake will be No. 13 on Saturday when Nyquist starts as the favorite in the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Nyquist, undefeated in seven starts, landed post 13 on Wednesday night when posts were drawn in the Aristides Lounge at Churchill Downs.
Nyquist usually races on or near the lead, and much of the other anticipated speed in the race landed outside stalls. Mohaymen is right alongside Nyquist in 14, Outwork has 15, and Danzing Candy drew the far-outside post, 20.
1. Shagaf
2. Nyquist
3. Mor Spirit
4. Outwork
This year has been one for fast-paced Derby preps. As one race after another fell apart late on the way to Churchill Downs, more of the tired speeds fell short of the points cutoff. What we are left with is a Derby field that lacks much true early speed. Now, all of a sudden, all those closers who were taking advantage during the prep season might find themselves up against it in the biggest race of their lives.
Even if favorites Rachel’s Valentina and Nyquist both win, which seems unlikely, the Oaks-Derby double almost certainly will pay more than the past two years.
One year ago, fifth choice Lovely Maria and favorite American Pharoah combined for a $1 payoff of $27.30. That was big compared to a year earlier, when favorites Untapable and California Chrome combined for a $1 payoff of $5.70, the lowest in 15 years.
The minimum bet for the Oaks-Derby double is $1; recent pools averaged nearly $2.5 million.
