Kentucky Derby 2018 Contenders: Lineup and Pedigree for All Entries in the Field

Magnum Moon, Justify and Mendelssohn are all among the top contenders for the 2018 Kentucky Derby, which takes place at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 5.

The post position draw takes place on Tuesday, May 1, when the contenders will discover where they'll start their run toward the title.

Here's a look at the lineup and pedigree for all the entries in the field.

Magnum Moon

Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Pedigree: Malibu Moon—Dazzling Song by Unbridled's Song

Good Magic

Trainer: Chad Brown

Pedigree: Curlin—Glinda the Good by Hard Spun

Audible

Trainer: Chad Brown

Pedigree: Into Mischief—Blue Devil Bel by Gilded Time

Noble Indy

Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Pedigree: Take Charge Indy—Noble Maz by Storm Boot

Vino Rosso

Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Pedigree: Curlin—Mythical Bride by Street Cry

Bolt d'Oro

Trainer: Mick Ruis

Pedigree: Medaglia d'Oro—Globe Trot by A.P. Indy

Enticed

Trainer: Kiaran P. McLaughlin

Pedigree: Medaglia d'Oro—It's Tricky by Mineshaft

Mendelssohn

Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien

Pedigree: Scat Daddy—Leslie's Lady by Tricky Creek

Justify

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Pedigree: Scat Daddy—Stage Magic by Ghostzapper

Flameaway

Trainer: Mark E. Casse

Pedigree: Scat Daddy—Vulcan Rose by Fusaichi Pegasus 

Solomini

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Pedigree: Curlin—Surf Song by Storm Cat

Bravazo

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

Pedigree: Awesome Again—Tiz O'Gold by Cee's Tizzy

My Boy Jack

Trainer: J. Keith Desormeaux

Pedigree: Creative Cause—Gold N Shaft by Mineshaft

Promises Fulfilled

Trainer: Dale L. Romans

Pedigree: Shackleford—Marquee Delivery by Marquetry

Free Drop Billy

Trainer: Dale L. Romans

Pedigree: Union Rags—Trensa by Giant's Causeway

Lone Sailor

Trainer: Thomas M. Amoss

Pedigree: Majestic Warrior—Ambitious by Mr. Greeley

Hofburg

Trainer: William I. Mott

Pedigree: Tapit—Soothing Touch by Touch Gold

Firenze Fire

Trainer: Jason Servis

Pedigree: Poseidon's Warrior—My Every Wish by Langfuhr

Combatant

Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen

Pedigree: Scat Daddy—Border Dispute by Boundary

Instilled Regard

Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer

Pedigree: Arch—Enhancing by Forestry

All information courtesy of HorseRacingNation.com

Kentucky Derby 2018 Contenders

Magnum Moon is a strong contender after winning the Arkansas Derby and the Rebel Stakes. He also topped the leaderboard for the Road to the Kentucky Derby series and is unbeaten in four career starts.

Sports reporter Andrew Scaglione said he's a strong contender and showed how impressive he was during victory in Arkansas:

Magnum Moon heads into the race in good form but did not race as a two-year-old, and no horse in that position has won the Kentucky Derby since Apollo in 1882. 

The three-year-old will therefore need to break the infamous 'Curse of Apollo' if he is to continue his unbeaten run and take victory at Churchill Downs.

Justify is another contender who did not race as a two-year old but, like Magnum Moon, will fancy his chances of victory.

Trainer Bob Baffert showed how he was shaping up for the big race:

Justify certainly has the pace, power and potential to win at Churchill Downs and, being Kentucky bred, would certainly be a popular winner.

Mendelssohn is another strong contender after an impressive win at the UAE Derby where he stormed to victory and set a new track record in the process.

Owner Aidan O'Brien has said Ryan Moore will again be on board, per At The Races:

Racing UK showed how comfortably Mendelssohn won the UAE Derby with Moore:

Winning in the UAE certainly does not guarantee victory in Kentucky, but Mendelssohn has the potential to clinch a victory that would make him the first horse from Europe to win the famous race.