5 things to know about the prospective field

Allow the overanalysis start!

Saturday’s Lexington Risks at Keeneland noted completion of the prep-race period, and also currently the area is basically established for the 148th operating of the Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs.

Background reveals there likely will be a number of defections over the following number of weeks —extra on that particular later on — yet we understand the leading stories for this year’s race.

Kentucky Derby 2022: The present factors leaderboard after prep races full 

No frustrating fave. Lots Of Brad Cox. No Bob Baffert.

A number of competitors currently have actually reached Churchill Downs to plan for the Kentucky Derby, and also others will certainly make their method over the following 2 weeks.

Absolutely nothing concerning the area is main up until the post-position draw May 2, yet below’s what we understand today concerning the leading 20 steeds on the Kentucky Derby directs listing:

Louisville’s Brad Cox has 3 competitors

Baffert, victor of 6 Kentucky Derbys, is presently offering a 90-day suspension and also won’t be associated with this year’s Three-way Crown collection.

Nonetheless, 3 instructors that have actually won the Kentucky Derby have competitors this year.

Blazing a trail is Louisville indigenous Cox, that won in 2015’s Derby with Mandaloun after the incompetency of the Baffert-trained Medina Spirit.

Cox has 3 competitors this year with Arkansas Derby victor Cyberknife, Louisiana Derby runner-up Zozos and also Lexington victor Tawny Port.

“They’re 3 excellent colts; they’re all various,” Cox claimed. “Certainly, Zozos does not have flavoring and also experience, yet he’s an excellent colt. I believed his run in the Louisiana Derby was a large run, and also he’s just mosting likely to move on off that. Cyberknife is an excellent colt — even more runs, yet it’s taken him longer to arrive psychologically. He’s moved on because he relocated to Churchill. … And Also (Tawny Port) tipped up (in the Lexington). I believed he might win, yet he truly, truly ran well.”

Two-time Kentucky Derby victor Todd Pletcher has a set of competitors in Timber Memorial victor Mo Donegal and also Florida Derby runner-up Cost It. Two-time Kentucky Derby victor Doug O’Neill has a competitor in Santa Anita Derby third-place finisher Pleased Jack.

Signing Up With Cox and also Pletcher with numerous competitors this year are Steve Asmussen (Center, Morello), Chad Brown (Zandon, Early Ballot), Tim Yakteen (Taiba, Messier) and also Kenny McPeek (Tiz the Bomb, Smile Pleased).

Yakteen’s 2 steeds were both formerly educated by Baffert.

That’s the favored? 

There are a handful of competitors for morning-line favored, yet the agreement appears to be it will certainly be Center.

The Louisiana Derby victor damaged his maiden at Churchill Downs in November and also is 3-1-0 in 4 races at Fair Premises ever since.

Kentucky Derby 2022 competitors: What to learn about Center 

Center breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.80 Sunday early morning at Churchill.

“We’re simply attempting to place the foundation precede for him to manage the mile-and-a-quarter for the Derby below,” Asmussen claimed. “Couldn’t really feel any far better concerning just how he’s doing and also just how much he likes it below at Churchill Downs.”

Asmussen is the winningest North American fitness instructor in background yet is 0 for 23 in the Kentucky Derby, one of the most begins ever before for a fitness instructor without winning it.

That might back out? 

While the majority of the leading 20 are devoted to running as long as they’re healthy and balanced, Brownish indicated Saturday he’s still undecided concerning Timber Memorial runner-up Very early Ballot.

“Running him back in 4 weeks and also delivery, I’m stressed concerning him perhaps requiring a little bit even more time to recuperate,” Brown claimed. “I assume simply observing the equine and also seeing what his power degree is … we’ll assess what he requires in regards to time in between races.”

If Very early Ballot backs out, Leader of Medina — No. 21 on the factors listing — would certainly delve into the area. The third-place finisher in the Louisiana Derby, Leader of Medina would certainly provide Pletcher a 3rd Derby competitor.

Where were they birthed? 

Sixteen of the leading 20 were reproduced in Kentucky, with Crown Satisfaction (Japan), Simplification (Florida), Un Ojo (New York City) and also Messier (Ontario) being the outliers.

Crown Satisfaction would certainly end up being simply the 2nd Japan-bred to complete in the Kentucky Derby. Master Fencer was the very first in 2019, ending up 6th.

Simplification will certainly attempt to end up being the very first Florida-bred to win the Derby because Silver Appeal in 1997. Un Ojo will certainly attempt to end up being simply the 2nd New York-bred to win the Derby, signing up with Amusing Cide (2003). Messier will certainly attempt to end up being the 3rd Canada-bred to win the Derby, signing up with Sunny’s Halo (1983) and also North Professional Dancer (1964).

The last equine reproduced beyond Kentucky to win the Derby was The Golden State-bred California Chrome in 2014.

That’s the leading sire? 

Weapon Jogger, that completed third in the 2016 Kentucky Derby prior to starting an impressive occupation as an older equine, has 3 kids in this year’s area — Cyberknife, Taiba and also Early Ballot.

Not This Time Around (Center, Simplification) and also Race Day (White Abarrio, Barber Roadway) both have 2 kids in the area.

Kentucky Derby 2022: Every little thing you require to learn about this year’s race 

Not This moment, educated by Dale Romans, was 2nd behind Standard Realm in the 2016 Dog Breeders’ Mug Juvenile yet never ever competed once more. Race Day, educated by Todd Pletcher, won 6 of 12 occupation beginnings and also 3 rated risks in 2015 (Quality 3 Razorback and also Quality 2 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park, and also Quality 2 Hagyard Fayette at Keeneland).

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.