2012 Kentucky Derby Horses: Breaking Down Top Contenders in Saturday's Race

The Kentucky Derby has become a must-see event for sports fans. From the entire day of partying to the race featuring the best three-year-old horses out there, it's a day that should be circled on the calendar every single year.

Let's take a look at the top contenders in today's race and predict where each of them will finish. For a complete look at the 20 horses who will compete in the derby and their morning line odds, click here.

Union Rags

Union Rags' career got off to a terrific start with wins in each of his first three starts. He hasn't been nearly as dominant since, though. He wasn't able to overcome strong fields in his past two Grade 1 races, which featured several of the same horses he'll face today.

That said, Union Rags has finished in the money all six times and jockey Julien Leparoux has a history of success at Churchill Downs even though he's never won a derby. He's also had some sharp workouts leading up to race day.

I expect Union Rags to get into the mix as they turn for home in the "fastest two minutes in sports," ultimately finishing just inside the money.

Prediction: Third Place

Bodemeister

Bodemeister was named the morning line favorite after the post position draw. That's mostly because of his strong showing in the Arkansas Derby last month. It was the first race with Mike Smith as the jockey, and he made it look easy with the talented colt.

The biggest concern with Bodemeister has been a lack of consistency. A derby favorite should really handle lower-level races with relative ease, but he wasn't able to win against the weaker fields. So it's difficult to predict which Bodemeister will show up.

His upside is high, there's no doubt about that. He's got experience on the dirt and has flashed his potential. He'll get close, but look for Bodemeister to fall just short.

Prediction: Second Place

Hansen

A horse asserts themselves as a Kentucky Derby contender when they win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile like Hansen did last year. That's the first real look at potential derby horses and Hansen was able to outlast Union Rags and Creative Cause.

He finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes last month, but it was a telling race for jockey Ramon Dominguez. Hansen wasn't able to keep pace for the entire race as Dominguez tried to keep him near the front. There should be a more conservative approach in the longer race today.

As long as Trinniberg sets a reasonable pace as expected, Hansen should fall into line nicely, setting him up for a late charge. He's my pick to win the Run for the Roses.

Prediction: Race Winner