Kentucky Derby 2013: Top Jockeys in This Year's Race

The world is counting down the hours until the 2013 Kentucky Derby puts horse racing on center stage once again. As the horses garner deserved attention for their potential to achieve greatness, all eyes will shift to another party when the races roll around—the jockeys.

The question is, who are the top jockeys in this year's race?

While the horses inevitably receive the praise, there is something to be said about having a great jockey. Whether they've built up tremendous momentum or have created a legacy worth marveling, the following riders have separated themselves as the elite of the elite.

So who are the top jockeys in this year's race?

3. Gary L. Stevens, Oxbow

In a race with six rookies, Gary L. Stevens is as experienced as you'll find in the entire world. Stevens, 50, has won 4,888 career races and won over $221 million during his illustrious career, which began in 1979.

Most applicably, Stevens has won three Kentucky Derby races.

Stevens won in 1988, 1995 and 1997, respectively. In that time, Stevens has been responsible for riding Winning Colors, Thunder Gulch and Silver Charm.

Although Stevens hasn't won a Kentucky Derby race since, he has been retired since 2005—who's to say the veteran can't make a successful comeback with Oxbow?

For those in need of some history, Stevens' wins in 1988 and 1995 came with trainer D. Wayne Lukas. It just so happens that history will repeat itself in 2013, as Lukas and Stevens will team up to lead Oxbow into the race.

A legend with familiarity—what more could you ask for?

2. John Velazquez, Verrazano

According to BOVADA, Verrazano has the second-best odds to win the 2013 Kentucky Derby at 9-2. As an undefeated product with decorated trainer Todd Pletcher behind him, there's no reason to doubt Verrazano's validity.

It certainly doesn't hurt that 2011 Kentucky Derby champion John R. Velazquez is the jockey in charge of leading Verrazano to victory.

Velazquez followed up his 2011 victory with a title at the 2012 Belmont Stakes. In case you aren't getting the picture, the 41-year-old with nearly 2,000 career victories continues to produce at the world's most prestigious events.

Why not at the 2013 Kentucky Derby with one of the most heavily-favored horses?

Velazquez is a proven commodity at this event and is not too far removed from victory for that to be relevant. Most importantly, he's a dominant force in Breeders' Cup races.

This is familiar territory for one of the best jockeys in the field.

1. Calvin Borel, Revolutionary

Calvin Borel is a three-time Kentucky Derby winner and a one-time Preakness Stakes winner. Perhaps most important of all, Borel's success has all come in recent calendar years.

Borel won the Kentucky Derby in 2007, 2009 and 2010—who better than him?

Borel won the Derby with Street Sense, Mine That Bird and Super Saver, respectively. In 2010, Borel won while riding a horse trained by Todd Pletcher, which is a team worth following entering the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

Borel is now riding Revolutionary—a horse trained by Pletcher.

On top of being the most recently decorated jockey in the Kentucky Derby, he's also in the best position. More specifically, Borel is in a position of familiarity.

No matter which way you cut it, Borel is the best jockey in this year's Kentucky Derby.