Kentucky Derby 2015: Latest Jockey News, Post Positions and Betting Odds
The 141st Kentucky Derby boasts a 20-horse field trained and led by legends who now understand their fates with the post positions set.
Wednesday was a nail-biting affair for all involved, with the Jim Cassidy-trained Ocho Ocho Ocho drawing the unfortunate first post position. Sleeper candidates such as Carpe Diem and Materiality, both Todd Pletcher horses, took a hit too by drawing No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
Contenders did quite all right, though. Above all else, the rich seemed to get richer as Bob Baffert watched Dortmund land at No. 8 and American Pharoah slide into No. 18.
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Here's a look at the pertinent info surrounding the event with everything ready to go, followed by some jockey news after the jump.
2015 Kentucky Derby Viewing Info
Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
When: Saturday, May 2, at 6:24 p.m. ET
Watch: NBC
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
2015 Kentucky Derby Post Positions and Odds
| 1 | Ocho Ocho Ocho | Elvis Trujillo | Jim Cassidy | 50-1 |
| 2 | Carpe Diem | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | 8-1 |
| 3 | Materiality | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | 12-1 |
| 4 | Tencendur | Manny Franco | George Weaver | 30-1 |
| 5 | Danzig Moon | Julien Leparoux | Mark Casse | 30-1 |
| 6 | Mubtaahij | Christophe Soumillion | Mike de Kock | 20-1 |
| 7 | El Kabeir | Calvin Borel | John Terranova II | 30-1 |
| 8 | Dortmund | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 3-1 |
| 9 | Bolo | Rafael Bejarano | Carla Gaines | 30-1 |
| 10 | Firing Line | Gary Stevens | Simon Callaghan | 12-1 |
| 11 | Stanford | Florent Geroux | Todd Pletcher | 30-1 |
| 12 | International Star | Miguel Mena | Mike Maker | 20-1 |
| 13 | Itsaknockout | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher | 30-1 |
| 14 | Keen Ice | Kent Desormeaux | Dale Romans | 50-1 |
| 15 | Frosted | Joel Rosario | Kiaran McLaughlin | 15-1 |
| 16 | War Story | Joe Talamo | Tom Amoss | 50-1 |
| 17 | Mr. Z | Ramon Vazquez | D. Wayne Lukas | 50-1 |
| 18 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | 5-2 |
| 19 | Upstart | Jose Ortiz | Rick Violette Jr. | 15-1 |
| 20 | Far Right | Mike Smith | Ron Moquett | 30-1 |
Latest Jockey News
Gary Stevens Still a Contender
Don't look now, but Gary Stevens is at it again.
Some might think it's a shock to see the name, but the 52-year-old legend will take part in Saturday's Kentucky Derby by guiding Firing Line through the paces.
Stevens sounds confident despite his underdog status, something he attributes to Firing Line, as Fred Cowgill of WLKY.com captures:
"He's a pure athlete. He's a great looking horse to look at. If you want to picture a race horse, that is what one is suppose to look like. He's got great stamina, he's got great speed, and he's got a great mind. And for the Derby, I think the last thing I mention is mind, is the most important thing. You've got to have one to stay focused and keep their composure. Not just prior to the race, but during the running of the race
"
Stevens is right to be confident thanks to the No. 10 post and later favorable odds.
Firing Line continues to look great, with a recent second-place finish only coming by a head to Dortmund at the Robert B. Lewis Stakes.
Any thoughts about Stevens being a weakness need to go out the window, too.
“I’m more of an asset to a horse right now than I had been for the past twenty years,” Stevens said, per David Hill of The New Yorker. “To be able to do what I’m doing right now, and feel the way that I feel, it’s a miracle.”
One of the field's top jockeys is confident, and he wants everyone to know it. Perhaps doubting the duo isn't the best idea.
Victor Espinoza Ready for Round 2
Remember Victor Espinoza?
Espinoza is the guy who won the Kentucky Derby last year atop California Chrome before almost going down in history as a Triple Crown winner.
He's back at it again, this time on American Pharoah, who found out Wednesday he will ride out of the No. 18 slot. As Sports Illustrated's Tim Layden captures, the wait was a wild one for the superstar jockey:
To be fair, it's a different tune than what he was saying before the draw, per Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times: “This year it doesn’t matter to me or to [American Pharoah],’’ he said. “Any post is good.”
Regardless, Espinoza sits atop racing's most dominant horse, and No. 18 means he can pick and choose his spots and then strike down the stretch.
There's a reason Espinoza and American Pharoah are large favorites even after the draw.
John Velazquez Trusts Carpe Diem
Things look bad for Carpe Diem after Wednesday, where the Pletcher-trained horse drew the second gate, a bad spot close to the rail for even the most talented horses.
Still, jockey John Velazquez told Jennie Rees of The Courier-Journal before the draw he believes in the maturing colt: "He's learned a lot. Being a 2-year-old, he was very high energy at all times: before the race, in the post parade. He used to get really worked up. In his last race at Keeneland, he did really, really well. Only thing was in the paddock he got a little excited. Once I was on him, he relaxed."
Carpe Diem has looked great as of late like Velazquez hints, winning three of his last four, the highlight being the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes.
Velazquez would be the reason not to count out Carpe Diem just yet despite the horrific draw. He's a legend in the sport boasting two Belmont Stakes wins and 10 Breeders' Cup victories, not to mention a 2011 Kentucky Derby triumph atop Animal Kingdom.
Thanks the draw, Velazquez may face his toughest test to date.
Stats and information via KentuckyDerby.com unless otherwise specified.
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