The culmination of six months of prep races takes place this upcoming Saturday when Churchill Downs plays host to the biggest single race on North American soil \u2013 the Kentucky Derby. <\/p>\n
The best three years olds in the world have gathered in Kentucky for a shot at the winner\u2019s share of the $2 million purse and the first jewel in the Triple Crown.<\/p>\n
A field of 20 plus one Also Eligible have been confirmed for the Derby which goes off at 6:42 on Saturday as part of a packed card at Churchill Downs. <\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a peek at the all the favorites and some potential dark horses for this prestigious and celebrates race.<\/strong><\/p>\n Art Sherman trained California<\/strong> has been instilled as the 5\/2 morning line favorite after four straight wins by a combined 25 lengths. He blew away the Santa Anita Stakes field and won the San Felipe Stakes with ease. The only potential issue is the fact that he will be making a long trip across country for this race. Bob Baffert\u2019s Hopportunity, California Chrome\u2019s biggest perceived threat has been scratched – he was the second choice on the morning line. It makes for a more wide-open race for sure.<\/p>\n Wicked Strong<\/strong> becomes the second choice off his win in the Wood Memorial \u2013 he wasn\u2019t great before that but is on the radar after his win last time out. Arkansas Derby winner Danza is 10-1 while Todd Pletcher trained Intense Holiday is at 12-1 odds \u2013 intriguing considering he had a close second in the Louisiana Derby and a great win before that in the Grade 2 Risen Star.<\/p>\n Samraat<\/strong> is a very interesting fourth choice on the morning line. He looked untouchable \u2013 four straight wins to start his career before a good second last time out in the Wood Memorial. He has just one loss in his career and it happened to be a second. Michael Maker trained General A Rod now has two wins, two seconds and a third place finish in five career starts \u2013 very competitive every time out. Four colts check in at 20-1 odds \u2013 John Sadler trained Candy Boy<\/strong> off a third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby April 5 and a terrific win over Chitu<\/strong> (with a 96 Beyer Speed Figure) in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes February 8, Dance With Fate<\/strong> after a win in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes April 12 and a pair of seconds in graded stakes action, Ride On Curlin<\/strong> who was most recently a good second in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby after two straight thirds in graded stakes action and Dale Romans trained Medal Count thanks to a good second in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland April 12 and a win in the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes April 4 all make up a contingent that looks intriguing on paper but just may be overmatched in the Derby.<\/p>\n There are a total of four entries that are 30-1 on the morning line \u2013 Bob Baffert trained Chitu<\/strong> is the most intriguing of the group and may be the best candidate for a huge upset Saturday. He has three wins and a second place finish in four career starts – a win in the Grade 3 Sunland Derby and a second in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Michael Maker trained Vicar\u2019s In Trouble<\/strong>, Uncle Sigh, and We Miss Artie are the other 30-1 shots and are that way for a reason.<\/p>\n Vinceremo, Commanding Curve and Pablo Del Monte round out the field \u2013 all are 50-1 shot and none are expected to make noise this week.<\/p>\n It\u2019s pretty hard to go against the favorite California Chrome at 5-2 odds<\/strong> \u2013 he has simply blown the field away in his last four starts. Pretty safe pick, I know, but it is the right one to make.<\/p>\nFavorites<\/h3>\n
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\nWildcat Red<\/strong> enters having won four of his seven career starts \u2013 finishing second in the other three. He is expected to be competitive as per usual at 15-1 odds. Steve Asmussen trained Tapiture has two wins, two seconds and two third place finishes in seven career starts but is coming off his only off-the-board finish \u2013 a fourth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. He is 15-1 on the morning line.<\/p>\nGood Chance<\/h3>\n
Longshots<\/h3>\n
Free Kentucky Derby Pick:<\/h3>\n