Kentucky Derby 2014 Horses: Names, Pedigree Info and Ratings for All Entries

We can look at post positions and odds until we are blue in the face; however, one of the best ways to determine a strength of a horse is its pedigree.

Coming from a long line of champions bodes well for Kentucky Derby contenders. Having a strong pedigree may not guarantee a victory—or money finish for that matter—but it certainly doesn't hurt.

Let's take a look at the Kentucky Derby's entire field and glance at the pedigree information and season standings for each horse set to take part in the Run for the Roses.

Post	Horse	Sire	Mare	Ranking
1	Vicar's In Trouble	Into Mischief	Vibrant	2
2	Harry's Holiday	Harlan's Holiday	Daisy Mason	19
3	Uncle Sigh	Indian Charlie	Cradlesong	17
4	Danza	Street Boss	Champagne Royale	6
5	California Chrome	Lucky Pulpit	Love The Chase	1
6	Samraat	Noble Causeway	Little Indian Girl	5
7	We Miss Artie	Artie Schiller	Athena's Gift	10
8	General A Rod	Roman Ruler	Dynamite Eyes	14
9	Vinceremos	Pioneerof the Nile	More Than Ready	18
10	Wildcat Red	D'wildcat	Racene	9
11	Dance With Fate	Two Step Salsa	Flirting With Fate	3
12	Chitu	Henny Hughes	Sea Gift	12
13	Medal Count	Dynaformer	Brisquette	15
14	Tapiture	Tapit	Free Spin	13
15	Intense Holiday	Harlan's Holiday	Intensify	8
16	Commanding Curve	Master Command	Mother	20
17	Candy Boy	Candy Ride	She's an Eleven	16
18	Ride On Curlin	Curlin	Magical Ride	11
19	Wicked Strong	Hard Spun	Moyne Abbey	4
20	Pablo Del Monte	Giant's Causeway	One Hot Wish	25

Complete pedigree history for each horse can be found at KentuckyDerby.com.

The combination of strengths from the right sire and mare can produce a certified champion. For example, if a sire was a tremendous sprinter, and a mare was a great distance runner, their offspring has the chance to possess great speed as well as stamina.

Let's break down a few of this year's contenders who share that type of pedigree.

Wildcat Red

Morry Gash/Associated Press

This horse is the son of D'wildcat, who won the 2002 Churchill Downs Handicap at seven furlongs and the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at six furlongs. Wildcat Red's mother is Racene, a Miner's Mark mare who adds a great deal of stamina to the mix.

Wildcat Red's pedigree makes this horse a fantastic distance runner. A great amount of stamina is at the horse's disposal, and that showed during his sparkling finishes in the Fountain of Youth and the Hutcheson.

Ride On Curlin

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, Ride on Curlin has a very strong pedigree. Curlin finished third in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, but went on to win the Preakness Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Classic. He also won the 2008 Dubai World Cup. His mother is stakes-placed Magical Ride.

Ride On Curlin's pedigree should allow the horse to find a nice pace throughout the Kentucky Derby and come on strong down the final furlong.

Vinceremos

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Vinceremos is the son of 2009 Santa Anita Derby winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Pioneerof the Nile. This sire was one of the biggest favorites heading into the Derby that year. Pioneerof the Nile's sire Empire Maker also finished second in the Derby, with Unbridled—Vinceremos' great grandsire—winning the race back in 1990. Vinceremos is out of twice-raced mare More Than Ready.

Talk about a strong Kentucky Derby pedigree. With the success of Pioneerof the Nile, Empire Maker and Unbridled at Churchill Downs, and the strong ninth post position, perhaps Vinceremos could be worthy of a gamble at 30-1 odds.