Kentucky Derby 2015 Contenders: Early Look at Favorites in Field

Although the Kentucky Derby field is not yet set, there are a few horses standing out above the rest as top contenders for the highly anticipated race.

Despite having events throughout the year, the race at Churchill Downs garners more attention nationally than any other in horse racing. The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the coveted Triple Crown, a distinction no one has won since Affirmed in 1978.

There are a few contenders to finally take home the elusive prize, but they will have to start with a strong performance in the first race. Here is a look at the top contenders heading into the Kentucky Derby.

American Pharoah

Danny Johnston/Associated Press

Legendary trainer Bob Baffert has a good chance of taking home his fourth career Kentucky Derby title with two of the top horses in the field between American Pharoah and Dortmund.

Churchill Downs handicapper Mike Battaglia noted the two were well ahead of the pack, although he prefers American Pharoah, via Jennie Rees of The Courier-Journal:

"

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. [...]

If they were an entry, I swear they'd be even money or 4-5. And (Todd) Pletcher would have a five-horse entry and be about 3-1.

"

That Arkansas Derby victory was an impressive one, finishing eight lengths ahead of the pack against a few horses who will be in action at the Kentucky Derby as well.

With four straight wins and three of them coming in Grade 1 races, American Pharoah will be a tough horse to beat.

Dortmund

Uncredited/Associated Press

Another Baffert-trained horse, Dortmund instead prepared for this big race with the Santa Anita Derby. As breeder Craig Brogden noted, this is a more common path for the trainer's top horses:

As expected, Dortmund came away with a win—as he has in every other race of his career. He's had six starts in his career and all of them have resulted in a trip to the winner's circle.

The most recent victory at Santa Anita featured a decent start before getting out to the lead at the quarter-mile mark. From that point on, he never trailed, as he pulled away for an impressive win as the overwhelming favorite.

With the pedigree of 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion Big Brown, Dortmund is as good of a bet as any to take home the 2015 crown.

Carpe Diem

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Few horses are tested as much before the Triple Crown races like Carpe Diem. The colt has already competed in one Grade 2 race and three Grade 1 events, including a victory at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Matt May of Keeneland Race Course, where Carpe Diem won the Breeders' Futurity last October, has faith in the horse contending once again:

The horse is trained by Todd Pletcher, who has one career win at the Kentucky Derby but is as experienced as anyone else in the world. He should make sure Carpe Diem is as prepared as possible heading into the race, although you know the contender will not be afraid of competition.

Adding in John Velazquez, who won the 2011 Kentucky Derby aboard Animal Kingdom and is consistently one of the top riders in the world, this is a team that will be tough to beat.

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