Kentucky Derby 2015 Lineup: Full Race Guide for All Horses and Jockeys
The 2015 Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, and as always it is set to be one of the races of the year, with huge talent on display.
The likes of American Pharoah, Dortmund and Carpe Diem are all key contenders to match the achievement of California Chrome—2014's winner—and triumph in the Derby.
Though there are some clear front-runners to prevail at Churchill Downs, 2015's field is strong enough to throw some real doubt into the minds of amateurs and pros alike when it comes to picking a winner.
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Here is the full race guide, including all horses, their jockeys and their odds, ahead of an eagerly anticipated Derby.
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | Ocho Ocho Ocho | Elvis Trujillo | Jim Cassidy | 50-1 |
| 2 | Carpe Diem | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | 9-1 |
| 3 | Materiality | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | 14-1 |
| 4 | Tencendur | Manny Franco | George Weaver | 50-1 |
| 5 | Danzig Moon | Julien Leparoux | Mark Casse | 50-1 |
| 6 | Mubtaahij | Christophe Soumillon | Mike de Kock | 14-1 |
| 7 | El Kabeir | Calvin Borel | John Terranova II | 33-1 |
| 8 | Dortmund | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 13-4 |
| 9 | Bolo | Rafael Bejarano | Carla Gaines | 33-1 |
| 10 | Firing Line | Gary Stevens | Simon Callaghan | 16-1 |
| 11 | Stanford | Florent Geroux | Todd Pletcher | 40-1 |
| 12 | International Star | Miguel Mena | Mike Maker | 20-1 |
| 13 | Itsaknockout | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher | 33-1 |
| 14 | Keen Ice | Kent Desormeaux | Dale Romans | 50-1 |
| 15 | Frosted | Joel Rosario | Kiaran McLaughlin | 16-1 |
| 16 | War Story | Joe Talamo | Tom Amoss | 50-1 |
| 17 | Mr. Z | Ramon Vazquez | D. Wayne Lukas | 40-1 |
| 18 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | 11-4 |
| 19 | Upstart | Jose Ortiz | Rick Violette Jr. | 22-1 |
| 20 | Far Right | Mike Smith | Ron Moquett | 33-1 |
American Pharoah Primed for Glory
American Pharoah is set to go into this year's Kentucky Derby as the favourite to win over the 1 ¼-mile stretch, and rightly so.
The colt had a hugely impressive win at the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in April, cruising to victory in some style to put him firmly at the top of the running for Kentucky.
Indeed, such was American Pharoah's dominance in Arkansas that he forced racing analyst Mike Battaglia to change his mind as to whom he was tipping for success at Churchill Downs, per The Courier-Journal's Jennie Rees: "If that Arkansas Derby wasn't so impressive, then maybe Dortmund would have jumped in front. But it was just too impressive. It just blew everybody away."
American Pharoah is set to be ridden by Victor Espinoza, who won the Kentucky Derby last year aboard California Chrome.
The Mexican will be looking to join an elite few on Saturday, per ESPN's Lane Gold, and he has a distinct chance considering his mount's pedigree:
The field at the Kentucky Derby will be much stronger than that at Arkansas, but the Bob Baffert-trained horse has a great chance of triumphing all the same, as he is a quality racer.
Carpe Diem to Challenge
Carpe Diem looked mighty impressive in winning the Tampa Bay Derby in March, a terrific response to coming second to Texas Red in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile race in November.
The Todd Pletcher-trained colt triumphed by five lengths in Tampa Bay and followed up that victory with another in the Blue Grass Stakes.
That is some serious form to be taking to the Derby, and John Velazquez is set to ride Carpe Diem at Churchill Downs, with the jockey having chosen him ahead of Materiality, per Daily Racing Form's Jay Privman:
Velazquez triumphed aboard Animal Kingdom in 2011's Derby and is one of the top jockeys in the field.
If anyone can lead Carpe Diem to glory, Velazquez can, and the colt could hardly have enjoyed better preparation in 2015.
It is set to be a tricky race to call, but behind long-term predicted favourite American Pharoah, Carpe Diem is an excellent bet to upset the applecart.
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