Kentucky Derby 2016: Race Schedule and Predictions for Top Contenders

The Kentucky Derby will run for the 142nd time on May 7 at Churchill Downs, but the field of 20 is yet to be set.

Thirteen horses have earned a spot, with seven remaining. They will be filled after the final qualifying race on April 30 by using a Kentucky Derby point system.

Last year's winner, American Pharoah—who earned the sport's first Triple Crown since 1978—will not be racing after retiring in 2015. However, that doesn't mean there are no talented horses in the race.

Let's take a look at the schedule for the day as well as a few predictions for top contenders:

Race	Time
Race 1	10:30 a.m.
Race 2	11:01 a.m.
Race 3	11:31 a.m.
Race 4	12:03 p.m.
Race 5	12:35 p.m.
Race 6	1:13 p.m.
Race 7	1:55 p.m.
Race 8	2:45 p.m.
Race 9	3:35 p.m.
Race 10	4:25 p.m.
Race 11	5:25 p.m. (Woodford Reserve Turf Classic)
Race 12	6:34 p.m. (The Kentucky Derby presented by YUM! Brands)
Race 13	7:35 p.m.
Race 14	8:05 p.m.

Early Favorites 

According to HorseRacingNation.com, there is one horse who has jumped out of the gate as the early favorite: "Undefeated two-year-old champion Nyquist is the Kentucky Derby 2016 favorite. He won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year and started his 2016 campaign with victories in the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park and the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park."

Trainer Doug O'Neill likes what he has seen from the horse recently, per Eric Mitchell of BloodHorse.com.

"The big boy looks great," O'Neill said on Sunday. "He ate up great; his legs are ice-cold."

He has a plan for Churchill preparation, according to Mitchell: "Ideally we'll work Saturday, but it is a matter of the weather, whenever the track seems at its best," O'Neill said. "Whatever day he does work and comes out of it good, we'll go to Churchill the next day."

All reports seem to be that he is training well, and signs are pointing to this being his race to lose.

However, one horse that could pose a threat to Nyquist is Creator, the gray son of Tapit. He is coming off a recent win at the Arkansas Derby, and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. discussed his victory, per Jeremy Balan of BloodHorse.com:

"

He made a nice run in the end. Last time it was 14 horses. Today it was 12 horses. (Trainer) Steve (Asmussen) told me to be patient, be patient, because you're going to have a lot of horse. It worked out—worked out really good. I hope I have the same trip in the Kentucky Derby.

"

Kentucky Derby television host Jill Byrne praised Creator in a recent Twitter post:

"

Creator @ChurchillDowns @KentuckyDerby the more I see him & Gun Runner the more I like them #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/ytp6zxffXL

— Jill Byrne (@betonbyrne) April 21, 2016"

Other contenders are Exaggerator (Santa Anita Derby winner) and Brody's Cause (Blue Grass Stakes winner) according to HorseRacingNation.com. 

At this point it makes the most sense to go with Nyquist if you are looking for a horse to pick. He's never lost and is looking as strong as ever. Of course anything can happen once the gates are lifted, but Nyquist doesn't know what it's like to lose and at worse should be in contention coming around the final turn.