Kentucky Derby 2015: Updated Weather Forecast, Odds and Payout Info
Ah, the Kentucky Derby. A magical event where the entire horse racing community converges for a race that is partly about the race, but also the prestige that comes along with it.
This year, 20 horses will enter the starting block hoping to come away with a wreath of roses. There was a clear-cut favorite in the 2014 field, with California Chrome serving as the strongest steed at Churchill Downs.
The 2015 version is leaps and bounds different, with myriad horses commanding attention. Veteran trainer D. Wayne Lukas gave his take earlier this week on the astounding field, via Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports.
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"I think this is a hell of a crop," Lukas said. "Maybe as deep as any I've seen. There may be five of these horses, in any given year, you put them in the Derby and they'd be the favorite."
Before the deep class takes to the track, here's a look at the full forecast, odds and payout info for the 2015 Kentucky Derby.
2015 Kentucky Derby Information
Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
When: Saturday, May 2 at 4 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Live Stream: NBC Sports Extra
Forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 76 degrees (via Weather.com)
Payout Info: The Triple Crown website lists the minimum guaranteed payout for this year's Kentucky Derby as $2 million total. The winning horse will receive $1.24 million.
| 1 | Ocho Ocho Ocho | Elvis Trujillo | Jim Cassidy | 50-1 |
| 2 | Carpe Diem | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | 17-2 |
| 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 | 12-1 |
| 7 | El Kabeir | Calvin Borel | John Terranova II | 33-1 |
| 8 | Dortmund | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 7-2 |
| 9 | Bolo | Rafael Bejarano | Carla Gaines | 40-1 |
| 10 | Firing Line | Gary Stevens | Simon Callaghan | 14-1 |
| 11 | Stanford | Florent Geroux | Todd Pletcher | 50-1 |
| 12 | International Star | Miguel Mena | Mike Maker | 22-1 |
| 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 | 50-1 |
| 18 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | 13-5 |
| 19 | Upstart | Jose Ortiz | Rick Violette Jr. | 22-1 |
| 20 | Far Right | Mike Smith | Ron Moquett | 33-1 |
Prediction
An overwhelming favorite may not be in this field, but American Pharoah looks the part. Despite the misspelled name, the horse is a thoroughbred that looks ripe for a Kentucky Derby win and potentially more throughout the Triple Crown.
Even with the earlier comments from Lukas, he knows what American Pharoah is capable of on Saturday:
"I have not been that impressed with a horse in a long time. We came up to him, and when [jockey] Victor Espinoza just nudged him, he opened up four or five lengths on us. ... That just breaks horses' hearts. That impressed the hell out of me.
In terms of conformation, just standing there, he doesn't blow you away. But when he moves, goes full flight, he's got an amazing stride.
"
American Pharoah is just one of two horses Bob Baffert has in the field. With Dortmund also starting from Post 8, Baffert has the top two steeds according to the odds and a great chance of winning the Run for the Roses.
Speaking of posts, American Pharoah will be coming out of Post 18. It's not a prime spot like the middle of the field, but this horse clearly has the speed to get the job done. Kenny Mayne of ESPN offered his take on the impressive horse:
Tack on the fact that Victor Espinoza—who has won the Kentucky Derby twice—is mounting American Pharoah. With the pedigree, speed and jockey all combined, American Pharoah will be the winner on Saturday.
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