The 142nd edition of the Kentucky Derby runs this Saturday and the all-important post positions have been announced. That means we know the field, the contenders and who’ll start from which gate.
Nyquist (+300), who is the Derby favorite, was slotted in post No. 13. He’s been the Derby favorite for a while now and will have to navigate a little bit of traffic from the No. 13 spot. However, this is the most impressive colt in the field as he’s won all seven of his races so far. That includes four Grade 1 wins and a pair of Grade 2 wins, so he’s won even while facing stiff competition.
Next in line is Exaggerator (+750), who will be start in the No. 11 gate. He’s fresh off a win at the Santa Anita Derby but that was just his second win in his last six starts. The upside is that he’s finished third or better in seven of his last eight outings, so he’s expected to be close to the front of the pack.
Creator (+1200) has two wins in his last three starts – including the Arkansas Derby just a few weeks ago – but those were his only two wins to date (in eight starts).
Gun Runner (+900) has been near the top of the Associated Press Top 10 Kentucky Derby Contenders list for a while on the strength of four wins in five career starts. That includes the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star Stakes this year. The main concerns with Gun Runner are that Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has never won the Derby and jockey Florent Geroux has never started a race.
Mohaymen (+800) as well will be saddled with a jockey making their first start in the Run for the Roses as Junior Alvarado has never jockeyed the race before. However, Mohaymen has won five of his six starts with the only loss coming at the Florida Derby where Nyquist claimed the win.
Some people will look at Brody’s Cause (+1400) as a horse offering good value as he fares very well in the state of Kentucky. Each of his three wins have come in the Blue Grass State, which includes his recent win of the Blue Grass Stakes.
Mor Spirit (+1400) has the same odds on paper but many will avoid those odds altogether. That’s because Mor Spirit is starting in the No. 17 post position and no horse has ever won out of that gate. Other than the starting spot, Mor Spirit is quite impressive as he’s placed first or second in each of his seven career starts.
Rounding out the field of the 2016 Kentucky Derby are Danzing Candy (+2000), Outwork (+1600), Destin (+1400), Shagaf (+2800), Suddenbreakingnews (+2000), Mo Tom (+2200), My Man Sam (+2000), Whitmore (+1800), Lani (+2800), Tom’s Ready (+4000), Majesto (+3300), Trojan Nation (+6600) and Oscar Nominated (+6600).