2014 Kentucky Derby: Race Post Time, Lineup Odds and Weekend Schedule
The 140th Kentucky Derby features a stacked field that could fall to essentially any of the 20 horses entered, which figures to make the 2014 Run For the Roses one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Things got even more jumbled following the post draw, as several potential contenders got stuck with less-than-ideal starting positions. Due to the frenetic pace and unpredictability of the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports, though, it wouldn't be wise to count any horse out.
With Saturday's big race looming, here is a breakdown of the entire field, including odds and scheduling for the Kentucky Derby.
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Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
When: Saturday, May 3 at 6:24 p.m. ET
Watch: NBC
Kentucky Derby Field
| 1 | Vicar's In Trouble | Rosie Napravnik | Mike Maker | 20-1 |
| 2 | Harry's Holiday | Corey Lanerie | Mike Maker | 50-1 |
| 3 | Uncle Sigh | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Gary Contessa | 30-1 |
| 4 | Danza | Joe Bravo | Todd Pletcher | 8-1 |
| 5 | California Chrome | Victor Espinoza | Art Sherman | 5-2 |
| 6 | Samraat | Jose Ortiz | Rick Violette Jr. | 15-1 |
| 7 | We Miss Artie | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | 50-1 |
| 8 | General A Rod | Joel Rosario | Mike Maker | 15-1 |
| 9 | Vinceremos | Joe Rocco Jr. | Todd Pletecher | 30-1 |
| 10 | Wildcat Red | Luis Saez | Jose Garoffalo | 15-1 |
| 11 | Hoppertunity | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | SCR |
| 12 | Dance With Fate | Corey Nakatani | Peter Eurton | 20-1 |
| 13 | Chitu | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 20-1 |
| 14 | Medal Count | Robby Albarado | Dale Romans | 20-1 |
| 15 | Tapiture | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steve Asmussen | 8-1 |
| 16 | Intense Holiday | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | 8-1 |
| 17 | Commanding Curve | Shaun Bridgmohan | Dallas Stewart | 50-1 |
| 18 | Candy Boy | Gary Stevens | John Sadler | 15-1 |
| 19 | Ride On Curlin | Calvin Borel | William G. Gowan | 15-1 |
| 20 | Wicked Strong | Rajiv Maragh | James A. Jerkens | 6-1 |
| 21 | Pablo Del Monte | Jeffrey Sanchez | Wesley Ward | 50-1 |
*Field courtesy of KentuckyDerby.com. Odds current as of 2:50 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 1.
Derby Day Schedule
| 1 | 10:30 a.m. |
| 2 | 11:01 a.m. |
| 3 | 11:31 a.m. |
| 4 | 12:04 p.m. |
| 5 | 12:38 p.m. |
| Churchill Distaff Turf Mile | 1:19 p.m. |
| Humana Distaff | 2:08 p.m. |
| American Turf | 2:59 p.m. |
| Churchill Downs | 3:46 p.m. |
| Woodford Reserve Turf Classic | 4:44 p.m. |
| Kentucky Derby | 6:24 p.m. |
| 12 | 7:20 p.m. |
| 13 | 7:50 p.m. |
*Schedule courtesy of ChurchillDowns.com.
Contenders to Watch
California Chrome
While the bulk of the Kentucky Derby field appears to be fairly even, one horse stands out above the rest. California Chrome enters the race as a heavy favorite and it's difficult to argue with the notion that he deserves that distinction. After a dominant showing in the Santa Anita Derby, California Chrome has all the makings of a true Triple Crown threat.
California Chrome heads into Churchill Downs on a four-race winning streak and, while crazy things can happen in the Kentucky Derby, California Chrome has the advantage in the event of a clean trip. Jockey Victor Espinoza knows what it takes to win the Kentucky Derby, as he did so in 2002.
California Chrome is in very good hands in that regard.
Trainer Art Sherman has cultivated a very special horse and rival trainers have taken notice. According to the Associated Press, Bob Baffert singled out California Chrome from the rest of the field.
"Other than California Chrome, who's proven he's a really good horse, there's a lot of horses in there that are pretty close," Baffert said. "There’s a lot of parity in this field."
That type of praise certainly puts pressure on California Chrome's camp to come out on top, but they have the horse to make it happen. California Chrome might win the Kentucky Derby nine out of 10 times; however, the rest of the field is hoping that his one misstep occurs on May 3.
Wicked Strong
With Baffert making the difficult decision to scratch former 6-1 shot Hoppertunity from the Kentucky Derby, according to Childs Walker of The Baltimore Sun, Wicked Strong has emerged as the No. 2 choice among bettors.
The Kentucky-bred colt is coming off a win over other Derby contenders at the Wood Memorial, but his resume is somewhat suspect otherwise. Wicked Strong boasts a solid team featuring trainer James Jerkens and jockey Rajiv Maragh; however, neither has ever won a Triple Crown race. Clearly they are hopeful that Wicked Strong is the horse to push them over the top.
Wicked Strong is extremely talented, but he was saddled with a less-than-ideal post draw of No. 20. Winning from the far outside isn't impossible, although Rick Snider of Washington Post Express believes that the draw ruined Wicked Strong's chances.
The oddsmakers obviously still believe in Wicked Strong enough to give him favorable odds despite the poor starting spot, but there may not be much value in him come Saturday.
Danza
Hoppertunity's exit opened the door for several horses to gain more attention and Danza is among them. Although he is among the least-experienced horses in the entire field, Danza has speed to burn. He beat out fellow Derby contender Ride On Curlin in the Arkansas Derby and there is a belief that he can turn the trick again at Churchill Downs.
Renowned trainer Todd Pletcher has had his struggles in the Kentucky Derby over the years, but Danza provides him with a great opportunity to win the race for the second time in his illustrious career. Add in the calm demeanor of jockey Joe Bravo and it is easy to see why Danza is gaining some steam.
There is a big difference between preparation and the race itself, but Randy Moss of NBC Sports has been thoroughly impressed with Danza's form.
While California Chrome is unquestionably still the horse to beat, it can be argued that Danza has the best chance at dethroning him.
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