2014 Kentucky Derby: Race Info, NBC Schedule, Entry Field and Post Positions

If you're looking for a full array of information on the Kentucky Derby, you've come to the right place. 

Coverage of the race on Saturday? Covered. Post positions and odds? Covered. A preview of the race and some of the top contenders? Covered. 

All that's left for you to do is to place your bets.
 

Viewing Information

When: Saturday, May 3

Where: Churchill Downs

Post Time: Approximately 6:24 p.m. ET

Event	Time (ET)	Watch
Derby Prep	11 a.m. to 4 p.m.	NBCSN; NBC Live Extra
Race Coverage	4 p.m. to 7 p.m.	NBC; NBC Live Extra

The Field and Odds

Post	Horse	Owner(s)	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
1	Vicar's In Trouble	Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey	Mike Maker	Rosie Napravnik	20-1
2	Harry's Holiday	Skychai Racing LLC, Sand Dollar Stable, LLC, Terry Raymond & Jana Wagner	Mike Maker	Corey Lanerie	50-1
3	Uncle Sigh	Wounded Warrior Stables & Anthony C. Robertson	Gary Contessa	Irad Ortiz Jr.	30-1
4	Danza	Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners	Todd Pletcher	Joe Bravo	8-1
5	California Chrome	Steve and Carolyn Coburn & Perry and Denise Martin	Art Sherman	Victor Espinoza	5-2
6	Samraat	My Meadowview Farm	Rick Violette Jr.	Jose Ortiz	15-1
7	We Miss Artie	Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey	Todd Pletcher	Javier Castellano	50-1
8	General A Rod	Starlight Racing & Skychai Racing, LLC	Mike Maker	Joel Rosario	15-1
9	Vinceremos	WinStar Farm LLC and Twin Creeks Racing	Todd Pletcher	Joe Rococo Jr.	30-1
10	Wildcat Red	Honors Stable Corp.	Jose Garoffalo	Luis Saez	15-1
11	Hoppertunity (SCRATCHED)
12	Dance With Fate	S. Alesia, Bran Jam Stable & Ciaglia Racing, LLC	Peter Eurton	Corey Nakatani	20-1
13	Chitu	Tanma Corporation	Bob Baffert	Martin Garcia	20-1
14	Medal Count	Spendthrift Farm	Dale Romans	Robby Albarado	20-1
15	Tapiture	Winchell Thoroughbreds	Steve Asmussen	Ricardo Santana Jr.	12-1
16	Intense Holiday	Starlight Racing	Todd Pletcher	John Velazquez	8-1
17	Commanding Curve	West Point Thoroughbreds	Dallas Stewart	Shaun Bridgmohan	50-1
18	Candy Boy	C R K Stable LLC	John Sadler	Gary Stevens	15-1
19	Ride On Curlin	Daniel J. Dougherty	William G. Gowan	Calvin Borel	15-1
20	Wicked Strong	Centennial Farms	James A. Jerkens	Rajiv Maragh	6-1
21	Pablo Del Monte (SCRATCHED)

Preview

On Thursday, one of the race's main contenders, Hoppertunity, was scratched from the race due to soreness in his front left foot. Hoppertunity was thought to be one of the horses most capable of defeating favorite California Chrome, so his loss is a big one.

Both jockey Mike Smith and trainer Bob Baffert were disappointed but felt it was the right decision, per Childs Walker of The Baltimore Sun:

"

Smith said he was disappointed but praised Baffert’s caution. 'I’d rather lose it this way than have something happen on the racetrack,' the Hall of Fame jockey said. 'Bob does right by his horses.'

He added that he was one of many who expected a breakout showing from Hoppertunity at Churchill Downs.

'I think we all kind of could see that,' Smith said. 'He was doing incredible, really coming around at the right time. He seemed to flourish over this racetrack, which is a plus and a half. It’s too bad but you know what, we’re all alive.'

Baffert also had high hopes. 'I think Hoppertunity was a good chance because of the distance,' he said. 'He didn’t have any distance limitations, and he was doing really well. It’s part of the game. That’s why I have heart attacks.'

"

That makes Wicked Strong the top competition for California Chrome, though the horse will have to start strong from the No. 20 rail to avoid falling too far off the pace. It isn't an ideal start for the horse, but the talent is there to overcome it and give Chrome a run for his money.

Wicked Strong will be joined on the outside by Ride On Curlin, ridden by legendary jockey Calvin Borel. The jockey has his own style, but as Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports tweets, he may not be able to employ it given his starting spot:

Of course, Chrome himself earned an interesting post position. While the No. 5 pole is favorable, starting between Danza and Samraat—two horses that really go after it on the start—might not be. If California Chrome doesn't get off to a strong start, he could be squeezed between two potential pace-setters and find himself submerged in the crowd. 

If he gets trapped early, he's going to have a difficult run ahead of him. 

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Danza is the type of sneaky horse that could get out strong and look to simply hold off the pack. At 8-1 odds, he'll be a popular choice to finish in the money given his starting spot on the No. 4 post. 

As for dark horses, a trio of horses on the inside at 20-1 odds—Dance With Fate, Chitu and Medal Count—are going to become popular with bettors, one would imagine, given their promising starting positions. Chitu may ultimately be more of a pace-setter, however.

Finally, keep an eye on Tapiture. The horse hasn't received a ton of attention heading into this race, but at 12-1 odds, he is one of the top contenders. A fourth-place finish at the Arkansas Derby was disappointing, but this horse can run.